Take a look at the entries below and let me know what you think. To get the best possible results, I chose to go to someone who specializes in alterations rather than the drycleaner around the corner. Perhaps I could have gotten better results with a different seamstress or by being fussier, but my experience is likely representative of what you’ll encounter if you take the alterations route.

First, you’ll need to find your tailor/seamstress. Second, you’ll need to find the time to drop your shirts off. Third, you’ll need to be able to clearly communicate the results you’re looking for. Fourth, you’ll need to find the time to pick your shirts up, and fifth, you’ll need to decide whether you want to insist on further changes, or if the first set of alterations is enough. Ultimately, I’d rather design a shirt that avoids all of these steps.

Was This Shirt Saved? Part I


Hmmmm. I thought so until I saw the photograph of my back. Rosa definitely reduced the Poof Factor by extending some of the pleats, so the side view is much less mushroom-like (compare the second picture to the bottom one). Unfortunately, the clever pleating design now just looks random. I could hide it under a jacket, but this shirt is meant to impress people with its details. As currently remedied, I’m afraid people would just be puzzled –although not snickering as they may have with the mushroom effect, so there is definitely improvement.

Was This Shirt Saved? Part II

I think this one was worth it. It still isn’t a particularly fitted shirt, but the current fit (top photo) is more flattering than the original fit.

Was This Shirt Saved? Part 3


My verdict: only slightly. You can see an improvement in the top picture from the bottom, but I still feel like I’m wearing something plus-size when I put this on. I’ll keep this shirt for times I want to feel comfortable and slightly dressed up, but the alterations have not turned it into an I-look-spectacular-and-feel-amazing shirt.