Personal style, as we all know, takes time to refine. It requires attention to detail and a broad knowledge of what works best for you — because everyone’s style zenith is going to look a little different. And no individual journey into properly putting that shit on is complete without the help of a good tailor. The backbone of the fashion world, tailors have the power to take a look from run-of-the-mill to red-carpet ready.
In honor of these oft-unsung heroes, we’ve collected a list of standouts in the NYC tailoring game. Next time you head in for a quick hem, give them some love — they keep this whole fashion thing going.
Ramon Tailor Shop - 110 Forsyth St
From its humble “IYKYK” beginnings to now boasting a waitlist of notable clientele from New York’s eclectic downtown scene, Ramon Tailor Shop is the American Dream in action. Emigrating from the Dominican Republic in 1978, Ramón Nuñez officially opened his eponymous shop in 1990 on Allen Street before finally settling down at the now-famed Forsythe location in 2004. Offering quality services that far exceed his modest price points, the lifelong courtier can be found in the doorway of his storefront, patiently waiting to alter, hem, and taper to your heart’s desire.
Hector’s Shoe Repair - 11 Greenwich Ave
Hector’s Shoe Repair feels like something out of a vintage film about old New York. Right in the middle of Greenwich Village, sharing an address with a local barbershop, this family-operated cobbler has been offering artisanal service for over 30 years. Prices start at just $20, so bring any shoes, bags, jackets, or leather into the shop with the neon boot-shaped sign and let Hector and John Sanchez get to work.
Eva Joan - 28 Jane St
Dedicated to exploring the endless possibilities of clothing, Eva Joan merges the worlds of intentional tailoring and custom upcycling. Housed on Jane Street in the West Village, this visionary atelier challenges us to view clothing as the investment it is. The female-owned and operated business offers services from standard alterations to complete reworkings, adding unique patchwork and ornamental designs to everyday garments. Eva Joan is tailoring that genuinely embodies the phrase “quality over quantity.”
East Village Shoe Repair - 1073 Broadway
Once servicing pop culture provocateurs like Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Macaulay Culkin, this tiny shoe repair shop is far from the neighborhood cobbler you grew up with. Ironically found in Brooklyn, tucked under the Broad Street J train station, East Village Shoe Repair is a madhouse of footwear abnormalities. Manned by co-owners Boris Zuborev and Eugene Finkelberg, the shop specializes in chaotic custom kicks in addition to your normal shoe repair services. From triple-decker Timbs to tabi-fied trainers, East Village Shoe Repair is as punk rock as they come, delivering specialized sneaks you’d probably only ever think up in some drug-induced fever dream.
Vince’s Village Cobbler - 125 Sullivan St./227 W. 29th St.
As the true definition of a repair shop — we’re talking everything from LV bags and Chanel flats to YSL clutches and Birkenstock Bostons — there’s nothing Vince’s Village Cobbler can’t bring back to life. To give an inside look into their process: Vince’s expert team will sew, cinch, and suture your well-loved wardrobe favorites until they’re nearly as pristine as their first wear. Plus, their social pages feature satisfying ASMR highlighting work-in-progress repairs.
The Tailoring Room -42 Clinton St
Specializing in denim tailoring, patchwork, and hardware replacement, The Tailoring Room is a reliable one-stop shop for any alteration you need. Operating out of 42 Clinton Street in the Lower East Side, these expert needleworkers offer a precise eye and an exact hand to ensure your garments fit your specific tastes — a true sign of a good tailor. As classic as they come, this is where you go when you need that perfect fit or angled cuff for the right price.
Orchard Express Tailor Shop -136 Orchard St
Taking the term “hole in the wall” to heart, Orchard Express is about as unassuming as it gets. Conveniently located on Orchard Street, as the name suggests, the humble operation is known for quick fixes and same-day turnarounds — an impressive feat for an old-school business.
Martin Keehn -53 Ludlow St
Self-described on its website as “Modern. Weird. Familiar,” Martin Keehn is both a storefront for coveted vintage wear and a showroom for the namesake designer’s custom garments. Martin Keehn is a bit of a wild card, and this Ludlow boutique doesn’t slide easily into any specific category. Glancing at the store’s Instagram page, it’s clear this place likes to push the envelope, though what exactly the envelope is and what’s being pushed is something you might have to find out for yourself.
Flatiron Tailor Shop -20 W 22nd St
One hundred percent customer satisfaction is a high bar to set for yourself, and yet, somehow, Flatiron Tailor Shop meets and exceeds this self-imposed standard. Offering high-end garment altering for men and women, the members of this tailoring team have collectively amassed more than 45 years of experience in the business. They’ve seen it all when it comes to this garment restoration thing.
G&G Cleaners - 311 W Broadway
There isn’t any full-service clothing repair shop in NYC like G&G’s. We’re talking alterations, dry-cleaning, wash and fold, leather and fur cleaning — you name it, they’ve got it. With a client database filled with names such as Thom Browne, A.P.C., and Ghetto Gastro, and a reputation for quick, effective service, what more can you ask for in a tailor?
