You ever get that nagging feeling when you have clothes you want to keep, but they just don’t fit quite right? I, for one, know it all too well.
Personally, I’ve got a pile of pieces that aren’t worn-out or unwanted enough to throw out, yet every time I put them on, something feels off—always needing a tweak, a pin, or a little adjustment to look just right.
I once tried a tailor my friend swore by, but, much like finding the right psychologist, it all comes down to the right fit—literally and figuratively. Unfortunately, that one wasn’t quite for me. Not ready to give up, I dove into an online search, looking for someone experienced in modern cuts and designs for women’s clothing. That’s when I found Tommy Tailor in Denpasar—ticking every box in my mind!
I gathered the will to face another trial, risking yet another error, and made my way to Tommy’s. Just a quick seven-minute trip from me. Before heading there, I made sure to message him and ask if he could handle the alterations I had in mind. He requested photos, looked them over, and assured me he could get the job done.
When I arrived, we went over the details of my alterations once more. To ensure the perfect fit, he suggested I try the clothes on so we could mark the adjustments directly. Maybe it was the Monday rush, but his shop was in a constant stream of customers. As I stood in the changing room, I could hear at least two women coming in, discussing their own alterations, negotiating timelines, and securing their spots in his queue. That steady flow of demand from women only reassured me—I had made the right choice.
Curious about his clientele, I asked if most of his customers just walk in. He nodded, saying, “There are lots of walk-ins. They tend to be locals from nearby and usually have heard about the shop through word of mouth.” Then he added, “I also have customers who message me before coming in—like you. But those tend to be foreigners, and they would usually find me through Google.”
Wanting to learn more about him, I asked a few more questions. Turns out he’s been living and working in Bali for over thirty years. After finishing school, he decided to stay, diving straight into tailoring—and he’s been at it ever since. Originally from Malang, he now has two sons, though unfortunately, neither has shown any interest in carrying on his craft.
We carried on with my little project, and as he worked, tediously noting all the alterations for each piece. He told me he’d have everything ready in two days—if I was alright with that. I assured him there was no rush; that timeline was perfectly fine. He then gave me the price estimate, and it was surprisingly fair—reasonable and well worth it.
Two days later, I returned as planned and tried on the clothes. The results? Spot on. I was beyond pleased. There was one small cut he had forgotten on a piece, but the moment I pointed it out, he grabbed it and got to work—quick yet precise. As we chatted some more, I made a statement—going forward, I would bring all my alterations to him. I was officially a regular now. He laughed, thanking me with a grin.