What is the one fashion necessity that every stylish woman should have, but many probably don’t?

A good tailor.

And by tailor, I’m not referring to you and that sewing machine tucked away in your hall closet. It means a professional who understands how to alter clothes in a manner that flatters your body.

Ever returned home from jean shopping lamenting that nothing fits right?

This is because they aren’t supposed to fit you perfectly. Most of the time our clothes could stand to be modified here or there so they enhance our best features and play down those that could use a little work. If you are a woman who has larger thighs and a tiny waist you might consider buying pants that comfortably fit your legs and then have them taken in at the waist. If you are petite and love that skirt but feel it hits too low on your thighs, have it hemmed.

The key is not to let the tailor alter the look of the clothes – just the fit. For example, if you are getting a pair of jeans shortened you need to specify that the tailor keep the “original hem.”

Many higher-end department stores will have a tailor in-house that can alter your clothes for a small fee. If that isn’t a possibility, ask around for one in your neighborhood that has a good, long-standing reputation. A reputable tailor should take the time to understand your needs and exactly what you want done before they begin their work. If you get the sense that he or she isn’t taking the time to understand your wishes, go elsewhere.

If you, like me, have a clothing budget that is tighter than your high school jeans, you might be wondering if spending the money for a tailor is worth it. As with most things, you get what you pay for. Even if you buy a pair of pants on sale at Target, it’s worth the extra money to have it altered to fit your body if it makes those pants look a lot more expensive than they are. Most alterations cost between $15-50, but having clothes that look like they were made just for you – priceless.

When 5’2” Jill isn’t begging her tailor to hem her pants, she can be found at blogging at The Diaper Diaries. Usually in her pajamas.