This is why the advice to people who aren't served well by off-the-rack clothes (usually fatties, but sometimes very thin or petite people) that you should buy stuff and then alter it yourself or get it altered is such INCREDIBLE BULLSHIT. Yes, it is a thing that is sort of possible to do if you have no other choices and you have EXTRA MONEY lying around (SOMETIMES- there are changes that cannot be made in post-processing), but it is not a SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
Some years ago I decided that I was only going to pay money OR time for clothes (to the extent that this is possible, since unfortunately, shopping takes time). That means I will alter free clothing, but I won't buy anything (new or used) that requires alteration. It's been a really good boundary. Having it as a default has really reduced the pile of stuff that's lying around with its lycra getting brittle because I don't have time. There are very occasional times where it's not possible to do this, or where a garment is so awesome that it actually becomes worthwhile (usually for dress-up clothes), but I haven't lost any opportunities doing this (because that work never happened anyway) and I'm much happier.
And this is also privilege.
(This is also the rant I go on when people suggest that sewing is still cheaper than buying clothes. No. Just no.)
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This is why the advice to people who aren't served well by off-the-rack clothes (usually fatties, but sometimes very thin or petite people) that you should buy stuff and then alter it yourself or get it altered is such INCREDIBLE BULLSHIT. Yes, it is a thing that is sort of possible to do if you have no other choices and you have EXTRA MONEY lying around (SOMETIMES- there are changes that cannot be made in post-processing), but it is not a SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
Some years ago I decided that I was only going to pay money OR time for clothes (to the extent that this is possible, since unfortunately, shopping takes time). That means I will alter free clothing, but I won't buy anything (new or used) that requires alteration. It's been a really good boundary. Having it as a default has really reduced the pile of stuff that's lying around with its lycra getting brittle because I don't have time. There are very occasional times where it's not possible to do this, or where a garment is so awesome that it actually becomes worthwhile (usually for dress-up clothes), but I haven't lost any opportunities doing this (because that work never happened anyway) and I'm much happier.
And this is also privilege.
(This is also the rant I go on when people suggest that sewing is still cheaper than buying clothes. No. Just no.)