What is the difference between a dressmaker and a tailor?

Tailors and dressmakers make handmade clothes, customised to fit your body perfectly. From bespoke suits and shirts to gorgeous gowns, tailors and dressmakers can also take your existing clothes and make alterations to ensure a perfect fit.

The difference between a tailor and dressmaker is primarily their clientele. A dressmaker specialises in clothes for women, and a tailor generally makes clothes for men.

Males and females have different body shapes that call for a different approach to pattern making, garment cutting and construction.

A tailor may also be a skilled pattern maker. Pattern making is a highly valued, technical skill, on the same level as a couturier or a fashion designer.

Tailors and dressmakers can both perform simple alterations, from adjusting hemlines to repairing a split seam, on any garment that requires repair.

But if your job involves detailed cutting and shaping specific to your body shape, it would be wise to consult an expert trained specifically in either women’s dressmaking or men’s tailoring.

If, however, you want a completely individual design, a couturier or fashion designer will help you transform your dreams into reality.

Looking for a tailor or a dressmaker? Yellow Pages has thousands of listings right across Australia, so click on the button below to find a tailor or dressmaker in your area.