Actually it's quite easy to make clothing to measure if you take proper measurements. My SO makes a lot of specialty outfits for cosplayers and theater shows, and she regularly makes outfits for people she's never measured herself. They usually fit perfectly.
Your local tailor will gladly take these measurements for you. $20 for five minutes of work is easy money. Also, why would a tailor not be amused if you brought them a product and paid them to alter it? Not all alterations are possible of course, but they'll be happy to try. In fact, AFAIK it's common advice that you can get a generic suit from Men's Wearhouse or something and get it tailored up to look nice...
Most tailors are perfectly aware they're competing with mass-produced clothing from Asia. There's some bargains especially if you are only going to wear it once or twice. But in the end you usually get what you pay for, the quality and durability is not as good as from a tailor who did it right.
The other thing is the sizing - a lot of stuff from Asia is sized for tiny Asian people, especially women's clothing is often several sizes smaller than US clothing. But on the other hand sometimes it's department-store clothing that is being sold off-label direct from the factory. I would look at it as largely the same bag in terms of quality. Not every department-store dress is made to last either.
Your local tailor will gladly take these measurements for you. $20 for five minutes of work is easy money. Also, why would a tailor not be amused if you brought them a product and paid them to alter it? Not all alterations are possible of course, but they'll be happy to try. In fact, AFAIK it's common advice that you can get a generic suit from Men's Wearhouse or something and get it tailored up to look nice...
Most tailors are perfectly aware they're competing with mass-produced clothing from Asia. There's some bargains especially if you are only going to wear it once or twice. But in the end you usually get what you pay for, the quality and durability is not as good as from a tailor who did it right.
The other thing is the sizing - a lot of stuff from Asia is sized for tiny Asian people, especially women's clothing is often several sizes smaller than US clothing. But on the other hand sometimes it's department-store clothing that is being sold off-label direct from the factory. I would look at it as largely the same bag in terms of quality. Not every department-store dress is made to last either.