The Art of Tailoring By Shihaam Hassanali
H
ave you ever slipped into a garment tailored just for you? There’s nothing quite like it. From the beauty of the design to the feel of the texture, both on the surface and underneath, all aspects lend itself to looking your very best. An important element to a made-to-measure outfit is the cut of the garment — how well does it fit? A custom-made piece of clothing will make you feel and look good, adding to your confidence, poise, and refinement. The History The art of tailoring has existed hundreds of years dating back to the early medieval period (5th to 10th centuries). Well before sewing machines came into being, people handmade all clothing. Each tailor had a unique stitching pattern and signature that was often a closely guarded secret. It was an artful and noble line of work to be in because everyone, irrespective of social standing, had their clothes sewed.
The word “tailor” appeared first in the Oxford Dictionary in 1297 (the late 13th century) and is derived from the French word “tailler” which means “to cut”. In Latin, the word was “sartor” which means someone who patches or mends garments, and the English derivative, “sartorial” is related to tailored garments. Bespoke Tailoring in England The earliest tailors came from Europe, as this novelty only diversified in Western Europe between the 12th and 14th centuries. Clothes were made at home, often with a single piece of cloth, and the sole purpose of a garment was to conceal the body. Individual style was of no interest to either the maker or wearer. However, by the 15th and 16th centuries (i.e. the Renaissance period), garments developed from one of necessity to a representation of self-expression. Single-garment loose clothing became shorter and form-fitting to resemble
ArtDiction | 24 | November/December 2020
