Definitions of Clothing Professionals
A tailor makes, repairs, or alters clothing professionally. Tailors specialize in suits and men’s clothing. A dressmaker makes custom clothing for women. A couturier (male) and a couturière (female) have advanced skills to design and make garments.
Gender Neutrality in the Fashion Industry
The word “tailor” refers to any person, male or female, who alters clothes to fit a specific individual. A seamstress is a woman who sews or creates garments. Tailors specialize in suits and men’s clothing while dressmakers make custom clothing for women. Couturiers and couturières have advanced skills to design and construct garments. Seamsters are male seamstresses who work with fabrics and hems to make or mend garments.
Seamstress vs Seamster
The noun “tailor” is gender-neutral, referring to anyone whose occupation involves making fitted clothes for customers. The word “seamstress” indicates a woman who sews, either by hand or machine. She usually works in a factory but can also be self-employed. Whether called tailors or seamstresses, these skilled professionals play an essential role in fashion by creating quality garments.
A seamster is the male counterpart to a seamstress. Their sewing ability allows quality clothing production.