| TAILORING FOR ALL BODIES | GENDER INCLUSIVE | BODY POSITIVE

| TAILORING FOR ALL BODIES | GENDER INCLUSIVE | BODY POSITIVE

Suit by Sharpe Suiting, Photographer Jolene Sage Photography

 

Welcome to our

closet!

Here at the Uncommon Closet, we are a custom clothing and tailor resource for communities and those with body types and needs that are often overlooked by major clothing chains and shops.

Communities such as but not limited to: differently abled bodies, LGBTQIA+, plus size, and even kink wear.

Suit by Sharpe Suiting

Our Services

 

​COVID-19 Update (01/23/24)

You must wear a face mask while inside the shop. If you don’t have one, we will provide you with one.

We are taking appointments for Saturday-Thursday only. If you are feeling ill before your appointment, please give us a call and we will happily reschedule your appointment.

We can make masks from most fabrics and can make one from any excess dress fabric (like if we do a hem and there's a lot of leftover fabric). Please let us know if you're interested! Formal wear fabric masks start at $55.​

 
Custom Clothing
  • Find a cute skirt, but they don't offer it in your size? Are you someone with a more masculine body who wants to wear a pretty spring dress? Do jeans that you buy from the men's section always fit oddly because your hips are wider than what they're designed for? Look no further!

    Here at Uncommon Closet, we can make custom clothing to fit any body type. This part of our business is specifically created and driven by trans and non-binary people who are looking to transition their clothing style to something that fits and feels best. We can make both outer and under wear for you, whether it be a super comfy pair of slacks or a realistically stuffed bra!

    Interested in a custom suit? We have got you covered! We've partnered with Sharpe Suiting to create amazing suits that defy gender! Feel free to contact us about setting up a consultation or check out their website to set up a consultation there!

    If you've got an idea of what you're looking for, feel free to schedule an appointment with us. If you can't find a time that works for you, please call or text us. We'll set up a time to meet at our shop to take measurements/talk about styles or a Skype meeting if you aren't in the Chicagoland Area.

    Please note that the minimum turnaround time for custom garments is 2 months and we strongly prefer 3-4 months. We charge $50/hr. There is a $50 consultation fee.

  • Have a wedding coming up and you just can't find that perfect dress? Got a suit and jacket combo that used to fit you, but now sits a bit oddly on your shoulders? Or did you buy a dress already, but there's just something off about it? Feel free to come to us about these struggles and anything else you might need for your wedding attire!

    We do not up-charge for the word "wedding." All of your alterations will be priced according to how much time it will take.

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    A note about guests:

    We suggest having the first fitting be guest free as multiple opinions can make figuring out what you want your outfit to look like more difficult. After your first fitting, you are more than welcome to bring guests and we encourage you to bring whoever will be helping you get ready the day of for your final fitting.

    Want to make your fitting extra special? We can cater from the local bakery so that you and your guests can enjoy this special time with you! Click below to set up an appointment with goodies!

    As a note, we will need a decent lead up time to have your fitting, do our work, then make sure it fits you! Because of the nature of what we do, wedding season (Memorial Day to Labor Day) can get really hectic. Work can pile up and the chance of being put on a waiting list can get really high, so please let us know about what you need as soon as possible!

  • We offer a wide variety of options for our alteration services, from as small as replacing an old button that fell off to as involved as relining that favorite jacket of yours!

    We pride ourselves with the ability to tailor any garment to any body type. We try very hard to never say something isn't possible. We've added fabric panels to suit jackets and pants as well as dresses so that our client's can continue to wear the clothing they love. We are one of the few tailor shops in Chicago that will take on extensive suit jacket alterations such as taking in the shoulders. ​

    Ready to get started? Click the button below to set up an appointment! Not seeing a time that works for you? Please give a call or shoot us a text and we'll find something that works!

    Our turnaround time is usually 2-3 weeks for most orders and 4-6 weeks for large orders and complex wedding dresses from the day of your appointment. Anything sooner will incur a rush fee based on how complex your alterations are and how soon you need them. We strongly suggest planning ahead and coming in around 3-4 weeks prior to when you need your garments done.

Tailoring Services
 
  • Style Consultations

    Are you having a hard time discovering your style or looking for some help finding clothing online? We're here to help!

    You'll come to the shop (or we can set up a Zoom session) and we'll talk about what you're hoping to achieve with your clothing. We'll do some internet searches, and chat together to find clothing and a style that fits what you're looking for. Most often, I'll supply you with a list of websites and in-person stores that fit what you're looking for, and if there's time, we'll pick out some pieces to add to your wardrobe.

    We'll talk through what can be altered and answer any clothing or gender journey questions you may have.

    Then we'll take your measurements (or walk you and a partner through taking your measurements if it's a virtual consultation) so that you don't have to question what size to buy. Finally we will talk about how to shop with a tape measure. As long as this isn’t a trigger for you shopping with a tape measure is a great way to avoid grief in the dressing room. I’ll even give you your own tape measure!

    These sessions usually last an hour. This service is pay-what-you-can $45-95/hr. Click here to schedule your style consultation today! Please email us at: Hello@UncommonClosetLLC.com if you have any questions.

  • Don't feel comfortable shopping for clothes? Don't know what your style is? Trying to find the new you or the you you've been all along? We've been there and we're here for you!

    ( *an initial style consultation is required for this appointment type)

    During your personal shopping experience, AJ will chat with you before hand (either in person or over zoom) about your personal style and how you want to present yourself to the world and then take you shopping! You'll check out a few stores and all you'll need to do is chill in the fitting room while AJ brings you various outfits to try on. You won't need to deal with anyone misgendering you or trying to give you a hard time. AJ’s job is literally to make you feel safe while shopping and stop anyone from ruining a good time. ​

    This service is pay what you can $65-150/hr if you are able to drive us. If AJ needs to drive, then the range is $75-160/hr to cover gas.

    We like to be able to offer this service to everyone who needs it, please contact us if you are unable to afford this price.

    This service is specifically for the trans and queer community as well as those who struggle with body image and disordered eating. Please respect this and if you don't personally need assistance keeping your shopping experience safe and enjoyable, please seek personal shopping services elsewhere.

    (this service can be reoccurring seasonally if desired.)

  • Feel like you need a style overhaul? Is your closet overflowing with clothing you no longer want to wear? Maybe you just need a body double to help you executive function enough to finally get rid all those t-shirts from high school.

    (**this appointment type requires an initial style consultation)

    AJ will go to you home (either virtually or in person) and help you sort through your closet. A clean neutral space for them to sit is required and at least a clear path for them to get to and from the door.

    AJ is here to help you Marie Kondo your entire closet (not including undergarments). If it doesn’t spark joy, serve a purpose or fit we either donate it to local queer or anarchist/ leftist collectives, compost or give it to local artists to use in soft sculptures.

    They can also help you figure out new ways to style the clothing you already have and find the gaps in your wardrobe that would help pull it together.

    Finally at the end of the clean-out AJ will take pictures of what was kept then create a color pallet for you of the colors you are drawn to. This can be super helpful in either sticking to a color scheme when shopping or finding other colors that complement what you already have.

    This would be pay what you can by the hour $45-95 (plus travel fees)

    Cleaning out your closet can be stressful and overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be. We are in this together

  • Is shopping to much of a trigger? Maybe you’re immunocompromised and shopping in a busy store just isn’t safe right now. Or maybe you just want someone else (who loves shopping) to do it for you.

    Well you are in luck! Our style consultant AJ loves shopping, knows all the best places and will go shopping for you with your measurements in hand to find the best fit. They can even go thrifting/ vintage shopping for you if that is your preference.

    (**this appointment type requires an initial style consultation)

    After talking about the style you are looking to emulate, closet goals and taking your measurements at the initial style consultation AJ can go shopping for you with a budget that you provide them. This is a sliding scale by the hour service of $60-100 an hour sliding scale plus the budget you provide for clothing. We will discuss how much time you want them to spend on shopping for you.

    Money in the budget that is not used for clothing can be put towards alterations at the store or refunded. If you decide to pick the vintage or thrift option please keep in mind that clothing from those kinds of stores can not be returned.

    Finally when AJ finishes curating/ shopping for you, you can either have AJ ship the box to you to try on at home or you can come into the shop and try on the clothing with AJ and a professional body positive tailor who can suggest different alterations.

    (this service can be reoccurring seasonally if desired.)

AWARDS & ARTICLES

  • ABC 7

    CHICAGO -- Uncommon Closet is not your average tailor shop. It creates custom garments and tailors clothes for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people with body types that are "overlooked by major clothing chains and shops."

  • CHICAGO TRIBUNE

    The walls of Uncommon Closet, a Logan Square design and tailor shop, are white, the floors a spotted gray. But the space is full of color if you know where to look: a display of sewing thread forms a rainbow pattern, and tie-dye T-shirts are sold at the register, each symbolizing a different pride flag.

  • FORBES

    In the summer of 2017, Korri Burton decided they’d had enough of the lack of clothing options available for their fiancée. A broad-shouldered, 6’2” tall transgender woman, not only struggled to find clothes that fit, but she also had trouble finding an affirming tailor to alter the clothes she already owned.

    [Blurb edited to reflect Korri’s current name/pronouns]

  • Best of Chicago- Best Nonbinary Tailor 2019

    Korri Burton couldn’t find a tailor where their partner, who is a trans woman, would feel comfortable getting a dress altered. So they launched their own business offering creative solutions for people with nontraditional fitting needs.

    [Blurb edited to reflect Korri’s current name and pronouns]

  • BEST TAILORS IN CHICAGO

    Uncommon Closet, LLC, is a custom tailoring company that serves Chicago and its adjoining areas. It offers a wide variety of custom clothing and tailoring services for the LGBTQIA+ community and body types of all sizes. Its tailors also make custom wedding dresses and suits. Additionally, the company offers personal stylist services online and in store for clients who are transitioning and are not yet sure of their personal styles.

  • Brian L.

    I'm so glad I found this place! Over the years, they've helped me with customizing dress slacks for work, fitting denim and coveralls properly and even a hemming and altering bathing suits to better fit my unique curvy body shapes. They are capable of doing so much more advance stuff too. But it's just nice to know there is a safe and encouraging environment where all body types are welcome, and we can get real help creating and adapting garments to properly accommodate diverse people that mainstream mass production leaves behind.

  • Colleen A.

    I am so thankful for Korri & the whole Uncommon Closet team for all their hard work and expertise. They took my mother's 30-year-old 80s style wedding dress and completely overhauled and created a beautiful, modern, but sentimental dress for my wedding day. The dress was gorgeous and it was so special to be able to wear my mom’s dress & have my grandma’s heart included in the stitching. The appointments were so easy (for me) & exciting and I’m still blown away by the dress’s transition. I would recommend Uncommon Closet to anyone.

  • Grace P.

    I found Uncommon Closet via Yelp for my wedding dress alterations and could not have been more pleased. The staff there was so friendly, knowledgeable, and knew exactly what to do with my silk dress so that it fit like a glove. I was so happy with the fit afterwards that I ditched my plans to change into a second outfit bc I felt SO great in my dress. Thank you to the team here - you are great at what you do and I appreciate your kindness!

  • Morgan G.

    I searched for weeks for a reputable, local tailor to work on my wedding dress. I finally found Uncommon Closet and my experience was PHENOMENAL. They are wonderful people who make everyone who steps into their space feel comfortable. I cannot recommend them enough.

    Not only did they make me feel beautiful in my own skin, my dress was perfectly tailored to what I wanted (they even asked questions about the venue to help determine the length of my gown). My experience could not have gone any smoother!

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