When planning your wedding budget, you might accidentally overlook tips and gratuities. Alternatively, you might lump them with other expenses in a “miscellaneous” category. However, researching standard rates will help you create a more accurate budget.
There is no standard answer to the question, “Do you tip your seamstress? How much?” Some people would say the usual 10 to 20% rate applies, while others would tell you to tip whatever amount you want. Some individuals might even say that you do not need to tip your tailors.
Below is a more detailed estimation guide to giving a gratuity to your tailors, along with several things to remember regarding this practice.
How Much Do You Tip Your Seamstress? Computation Guide
You might ask yourself, “Do you tip your seamstress? How much?” because of the 15% rate for other service industry workers. For instance, if you pay a hairdresser $100, you may want to give them at least a $15 tip.
However, even though tailors also belong to the service industry, there is no expectation to offer them a 15% tip. Instead, you can give them any amount you prefer; whether that is $10, $25, or $50, you are good to go.
Here is a simplified guide for calculating the appropriate amount to tip your seamstress.
| Service | Amount |
| Any order above $40 (a few items or alterations) | $10 to $15 |
| Any order with five to 10 items | 10% |
| Any order with at least 11 items | 10% to 20%, or
$5 to $15 per additional bridal party member (if you ordered as a group) |
| Any rushed order | 10% to 20% |
For example, if your wedding dress alterations cost a total of $150, then your tailor might appreciate a $10 to $15 tip. If you paid for a rushed order, you can give them $15 to $30.
Should You Tip Your Seamstress? Things to Remember
Reasons to Tip Your Seamstress
1. Tip your seamstress if you are satisfied with your service.
When you finally try your wedding dress and find that it accentuates your body gorgeously, that is the result of your tailor’s skills and hard work. Tipping them is a way of showing your appreciation and gratitude for their effort.
2. Tip your seamstress if they work for an established company.
In many cases, wedding dress boutiques have in-house tailors who will work with you to get the gown of your dreams. They will take your measurements, recommend alterations, and apply the changes and customizations you want.
When tailors work for retailers, they often do not set the prices and rates for themselves. In this case, consider giving them a gratuity for their services.
However, remember to check with the staff and managers first. Tipping the tailors might be against their policies; doing so might jeopardize their position at work. If this is the case, do not forcefully or secretly give tailors a tip.
3. Tip your seamstress if you have a large order.
In some cases, brides and bridesmaids bring their dresses to the same seamstress. Doing so might be logistically more convenient for them. Alternatively, the company might be offering discounts for large orders.
There is no definite way to define a “large” order; this may vary by company or tailor. However, if the service provider does not have an exact figure, you can assume that any order which exceeds ten items is large.
A hefty order will not only take more time and work to finish, but the tailor might have to reject other clients because of it. Your tip can make up for some of the revenue they will lose by doing so.
4. Tip your seamstress if your alterations are a rush order.
People tend to leave things for the last minute; with so many other aspects to oversee, it is easy to overlook getting your dress altered.
Generally, wedding attire requires two to three fittings so your seamstress can get the clothes to fit as naturally as possible. Moreover, the turnaround for individual alterations ranges from 24 hours to several weeks.
If you need the alterations as soon as possible, you must pay the tailor a rush fee. It is good practice to give them a tip in this situation, especially if the resulting fixes have higher quality than one can expect within a short time frame.
5. Tip your seamstress if you want to establish a working relationship or friendship.
Working with a tailor can be a hit or miss; when you find a seamstress whose skills, work ethic, and customer service you are satisfied with, you may want to form a relationship with them.
Coming to that tailor every time you need your clothes altered will create a rapport. However, giving them a tip will help.
Reasons Not to Tip Your Seamstress
1. Your request is easy.
Every alteration or repair on a garment requires skill, but some are more challenging to finish than others. If your order is uncomplicated, you may forgo tipping your tailor.
2. You have already paid for alterations in your original purchase.
The price tags typically already cover alterations when you buy dresses and other formal attire at boutiques. Furthermore, stores with in-house tailors usually pay them by the hour.
In these cases, you may not have to tip your tailors. Additionally, as mentioned above, some stores prohibit gratuities for their workers. You might get your tailors in trouble if you give them a tip without asking management first.
3. They have their own business.
If you decide not to work with a store’s in-house tailoring staff, odds are you will find a tailor who manages their own business. They handle their clients, decide which services to offer, and — most importantly — set their rates and prices.
Tailors know how challenging and demanding their job is. They know what it takes to adjust a dress’s hemline, take in a suit jacket, add a corset back to a gown, and whatnot. They can price their services accordingly while also accounting for utilities, materials, and more.
In this case, you can expect the price you are paying already includes service fees and gratuities.
4. They specifically tell you not to give them a tip.
It is worth reiterating that gratuities are not an expectation in the tailoring industry. You do not have a legal responsibility to tip your seamstress; instead, you tip them according to your satisfaction with their services, your budget, and the nature of your order.
As mentioned above, some tailors might tell you that their employers do not allow tips.
Some tailors will not be comfortable receiving a tip. One reason for this phenomenon is culture — the United States, for example, has a “tipping culture” in which people are expected to give servers, bartenders, and other service industry workers a tip.
However, in countries like Japan, China, and South Korea, tipping might be considered a rude practice. Many other nations have little to no tipping culture. Thus, if your tailor comes from these countries, they might feel offended or awkward if you give them a tip.
5. Tailors have decent salaries.
Tips are vital to other workers in the service industry, such as waiters and servers, because they are typically underpaid. For example, workers in the food industry rely on gratuities to make up for their below-livable wages.
Tailors usually make more than other service industry workers, regardless of whether they have their own business or they work for a shop. That is not to say that alterations are a lucrative business, but their wages are average and livable.
6. You pity your tailors or think they need help.
As mentioned above, many people in the service industry are often underpaid. The difficulty of their work does not reflect on their paychecks. Understandably, you might feel angry or sad because of this fact.
However, do not tip your tailor just because you pity them and their wages. Giving money — or doing anything — with that mindset will make you seem condescending and arrogant, even if that is not your intention.
Alternatives to Tipping Your Seamstress
There are several ways to show gratitude and appreciation for your seamstress without giving them a tip.
The next time you need an alteration or repair on your clothes, go back to your tailor. Your continued support of their business is the most natural and effective way to tell your tailor, “Thank you. You are great at what you do.”
You can also consider giving them something more meaningful and personal instead of a monetary gift. They may have mentioned a favorite dessert, delicacy, or drink. If so, buy them a box or bottle of it. This act will show that you pay attention to what they say and care enough to remember.
Writing a letter is also a touching way to thank your tailor. With a letter, they have a tangible reminder of how meaningful their work is and how good they are at it.
In the same vein, you can include your tailor in a holiday or seasonal mailing list.
You can also give them a shout-out on social media. Typically, only designers get exposure for their creations. However, tailors are essential in the dress-making and altering process. Tag your tailors in your photos and mention them in your thank-you speeches.
The simple act of mentioning your tailor and their business to other people is powerful. Recommendations through word of mouth are an effective way to give a business more customers.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, you do not have an obligation to tip your tailors. However, it depends on several factors whether tipping would be appropriate. For example, if you think they did a fantastic job on your and your partner’s wedding attire, giving a gratuity can show your appreciation.
