Let’s face it – breaking up with fast fashion is hard to do. High street brands make the latest trends cheap to replicate and easy to access, and that allure of convenience is hard to resist. But the impact of the cost of living crisis and the rise of climate awareness has taken its toll on the high street. Customers are spending less, and more cautiously, with a focus on sustainability. But it’s not just about what you buy; it’s how you take care of it. Whether you’ve ripped a hole in your favourite jeans or found a secondhand piece that doesn’t quite sit right, don’t panic! As we come to the end of Secondhand September, we’ve put together a list of Oxford seamsters to help you get the most out of your wardrobe.
If you’re looking to get your piece professionally altered, there are several options across Oxford to choose from. Most dry cleaning venues offer alteration as part of their services; North Oxford based folks can call on Afrin Tailoring on Little Clarendon Street. Afrin provides alterations and repairs in a friendly boutique setting which also provides a 10% discount for students.
On the Cowley Road, you can find Vic Dry Cleaners and Alterations, highly rated by locals for their customer service, or you can hop one road over to Wash and Sew on St. Clements, which prides itself on its environmentally friendly cleaning practices.
Then of course, there are professional tailors. North Oxford is home to Bespoke Alterations on Aristotle Lane. Part of Makespace Oxford’s mission to turn the city’s empty spaces into affordable workspaces, the small on-site team provides free fitting and consultation appointments, so you can decide what works for your budget and timeframe.
Over in Headington, family-owned business Jo Lynn Originals has been operating for 20 years and takes alterations of any kind, as well as offering made-to-measure suiting. If you have an evening dress in need of repair, you can head down to Carmelina, Couture Seamstress on Iffley Road. Carmelina specialises in gowns and formal wear, and her previous work has even been featured in Vogue Brides.
If you’re feeling crafty, you might even want to try altering and repairing your clothes yourself. If that’s the case, a community-led sewing group is a great place to start. On the first Sunday of every month, the volunteers at ShareOxford’s repair café are on hand to provide repairs and give advice to potential crafters, with the group also hosting regular sewing repair workshops.
If you have a hand-sewing, knitting or embroidery project you’re working on, you can bring it to Stitch and Chat, running weekly at the South Oxford Community Centre. Part of the city council’s Live Well Oxfordshire project, share projects with fellow stitch enthusiasts over a cup of tea, with all abilities welcome. For those with the budget for a more intensive course, Oxford Sewing Lessons, run in Kennington by Louise Paemen, runs both beginner lessons and a regular sewing club on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Working on your sewing projects in a shared space isn’t just a chance to learn a new skill; it’s also a fantastic way to meet new people and build community.
Building a sustainable wardrobe might feel like a daunting task, but really what it comes down to is making sure that what you have is built to last and can be worn again and again. The right repair or alteration can add years to the life of your favourite threads. So keep these Oxford spots in mind, because no rip or tear should stop you dressing with flair.