While tailors once focused solely on stitching new outfits ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the trend has shifted this year to alteration services for ready-made clothing.
For Helmaliza Md Isa, 44, this change has opened new opportunities, as more customers send in online purchases for adjustments to ensure a perfect fit.
“These days, many people buy clothes online, so the demand for alterations is increasing.
“The slots for alteration orders fill up quickly, while new clothing orders seem to be slowing down.
“As entrepreneurs, we have to follow the trend.
“In the past, I took a lot of new orders but now there are fewer, while alteration requests are going up.
“We have to adapt and do both,” she told Bernama at her shop in Klebang, Melaka.
Helmaliza now receives around 20 garments daily for alterations, particularly sleeve length, shoulder and waist adjustments, while also working on some 130 pairs of Raya outfits for customers who prefer bespoke tailoring.
She began accepting Raya orders as early as August last year, until this January, to ensure timely completion with the help of her three employees.
Alteration charges range from RM2 to RM40 depending on the complexity, while sewing fees start from RM65 for baju kurung, RM85 for kebaya and RM120 for baju Melayu, depending on fabric and design.
Meanwhile, fellow tailor Siti Aishah Norazhar, 31, chose to limit Raya outfit orders to focus on alterations.
The Taiping-born entrepreneur accepted only 20 to 30 Raya orders this year from regular customers, preferring to prioritise on quality workmanship and specific requests.
“We take orders for Raya outfits, but only in small quantities because we handle more clothing alterations than new orders,” she said at her shop, Kedai Jahit Aishah in Taman Bertuah, Chemor in Perak.
She explained that the shift was largely driven by customers who buy ready-made or online outfits but often encounter sizing issues.
“Customers can now shop for Raya outfits online, but many find the clothes uncomfortable because the sizes or measurements do not fit properly, so they come for alterations,” said Siti Aishah.
Her alteration charges range between RM7 and RM30, while tailoring fees for women’s garments such as baju kurung and kebaya start from RM60 to RM80 per set.
“Altering clothes can be more profitable, as customers often send in trousers and other garments daily, while completing a new order takes two to three days,” she added.
