Boston’s best tailors

“Alena Gorczyca of Alena's Boutique is an ideal seamstress,” says 9Tailors owner Samantha Shih. “Not only is she is skilled technically, but also she has a keen eye for line and proportion. I always turn to her if I need help with alterations.”

 
Alena’s Boutique
67 Holland Street
Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 440-3559
Alenasboutique.com
The fabric of life
“It's so sad to say, but there aren't many fabric stores left in Boston,” says 9Tailors’ Samantha Shih. “But, one fabric landmark remains (which is a great thing!) - Winmill Fabrics in Chinatown. Whenever a client commissions 9tailors for a special design project, I often head down to Winmill to get inspiration. The staff at Winmill are incredible sewing and fabric resources. Whatever project dilemma I have, they always, without hesitation, work with me to find a solution.”
 
Winmill Fabrics
111 Chauncy Street
Chinatown

 

How to wear a dress shirt

“For a long time, dress shirts were seen as a basic,” says 9Tailors owner Samantha Shih, “But, there is a big trend to make dress shirts interesting, turning them into the focal point of the outfit. Details such as, a roll-tab sleeve, where the sleeve can be worn both long and short, are perfect for summer. Wear them with a pair of lightweight, loose linen pants. Unique details, such as a contrasting placket or pocket in a bold, bright color have also become more popular. Wear these with a pair of slim fit jeans. I would also recommend adding a pair of CinSummer's (cinsummer.com) nut and bolt cuff links, or one of the contemporary neckties from our men's accessories collection.

For women, it is totally appropriate (and chic!) to steal her boyfriend's shirt and wear it over leggings or skinny jeans with a pair of flats. Cinch it with a belt and unbutton a few of the top buttons to keep it feminine and sexy. Layering necklaces from Jenni Won (jenniwon@cloudtheory.com) also help a woman complete the look.

Waxing white shirt poetic

“The white shirt is always fresh, useful and versatile,” says 9Tailors owner Samantha Shih. “It can be trendy, classic or edgy. From daytime to evening, the white shirt carries the style savvy individual throughout. It's hard to imagine fashion without it. Every man (and woman) should have at least 3 or 4 white shirts in his (or her) closet.”

9Tailors upcoming designs:

9Tailors owner Samantha Shih tells us, “We are thrilled to announce the debut of our women's dress shirt collection for Spring/Summer 2009. Lightweight cottons with ruffles and unique details define this season's design options. Women can make appointments to see our collection and to get fitted for their own custom dress shirt. Or, they can simply wait to view the collection online in late spring.”

She’s a man’s woman

So, dudes, you're tired of buying dress shirts off the rack. You want something a little different. You want to take a wardrobe risk. You want your own personal tailor ('cause you're worth it). Wait: You don't have your own personal tailor? There's been this little, um, hiccup in the economy and you don't have the money to hire one? Hmm...

Samantha Shih remembers buying everything off the rack. Those were dreary depressing days for the former Hong Kong resident turned Bostonian. Samantha is petite, so finding clothes that fit really well didn’t really work. Several years ago, she went back to Hong Kong to visit her family. She also visited a local tailor to put together a really happening wardrobe. Then the light bulb went on. Why not hook up young professionals such as herself with their own tailors—halfway around the world?

She returned to Boston and created 9tailors. Here’s how it works. Customers visit Samantha’s website, www.9tailors.com, or come in for a personal appointment, pick from a huge array of fabrics and styles, and provide measurements. The information is passed on to Samantha’s staff of tailors in China, and in about two to six weeks, the shirts arrive, fit to perfection and to go perfectly with the suit. Customers in the Boston area can even visit personally with Samantha’s local clothes consultants and get some tips. And we say, don’t be afraid, men. Don’t be afraid to ask—it’s the bold thing to do. (We believe in Bold.)

Right now, 9tailors focuses on men’s dress shirts. They cost about sixty dollars a pop. Better yet, they look cool. Women’s blouses are in the works for later this year. Samantha also hopes to have consultants available in other major cities. She says she gets a lot of business from California and Chicago, and wants to have some of her sirens of style in those areas, too.

About the name 9Tailors: No, it’s not some punch line to a how-many-tailors-does-it-take-to-screw-in-a-lightbulb joke; it’s based on Chinese numerology. In Chinese, the numeral nine stands for success and longevity -- things Samantha is committed to both on and off the rack.


Samantha Shih
www.9tailors.com


 

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