- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Tailors Dwindle as Demand for Their Services Grows
Shoppers seek custom fits and revived secondhand finds, but the profession faces a shrinking workforce
Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:42am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
As the number of professional tailors declines, their services are in growing demand to customize and revive clothing in an era of fast fashion.Manhattan TodayThe number of professional tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers in the U.S. has declined by 30% over the past decade, even as demand for their services is rising. Shoppers are increasingly seeking tailors to customize off-the-rack purchases, revive secondhand finds, and extend the life of their wardrobes. However, the skilled trade has struggled to attract enough entry-level workers to replace those who are retiring, with the median age of sewers, dressmakers, and tailors now 12 years older than the overall workforce.
Why it matters
As the population of professional tailors shrinks, the ability to provide custom garment fittings, revive secondhand clothing, and extend the life of wardrobes is becoming more limited. This trend could impact the affordability and sustainability of fashion, as consumers have fewer options to alter and reuse existing garments.
The details
Kil Bae, a 63-year-old tailor in Manhattan, has seen a rise in customers seeking alterations, including a modeling agent who paid $280 to have a $20 thrift store jacket slimmed down. Weight-loss drugs have also driven more Americans to seek tailoring services for resized waistbands, sleeves, and other adjustments. However, the profession is facing a shortage of new workers, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimating a 30% decline in the number of tailors, custom sewers, and dressmakers in business establishments over the past decade. The median age for all sewers, dressmakers, and tailors is now 54, 12 years older than the overall workforce.
- Almost two years ago, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated there were fewer than 17,000 tailors, custom sewers, and dressmakers working in business establishments nationwide.
- The median age for all sewers, dressmakers, and tailors was 54 last year, 12 years older than the median for the entire employed population.
The players
Kil Bae
A 63-year-old tailor in Manhattan who has seen a rise in customers seeking alterations, including a modeling agent who paid $280 to have a $20 thrift store jacket slimmed down.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The government agency that estimated a 30% decline in the number of tailors, custom sewers, and dressmakers in business establishments over the past decade, and reported the median age for all sewers, dressmakers, and tailors is now 54, 12 years older than the overall workforce.
What’s next
The fashion industry is exploring ways to attract more young people to the tailoring profession, such as through apprenticeship programs and highlighting the job's resilience to automation.
The takeaway
The shrinking population of professional tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers in the U.S. is creating challenges for consumers who seek custom garment fittings, revived secondhand clothing, and extended wardrobe life. This trend could impact the affordability and sustainability of fashion, underscoring the need to cultivate the next generation of skilled sewers.
