Lala Alterations

I patronize Lala’s monthly as I wear a suit or slacks every day, and really beat them up as I am in and out of the car all day. Lala is hardworking and expert in her craft. Her work is either invisible or, when a tear or snag is too severe to be hidden completely, still attractive. Most importantly, her alterations last. You’ll never go back to have the same seam or hem done twice.
For new clothes, you’d do better here than the tailor at the store hands down. Think custom vs. retail. That’s the Lala difference.
In addition, she is personable, pleasant and professional. She will work with your needs and timetable, and clearly takes pride in her work. Should you need tailoring or alterations, you couldn’t do better than Lala!

Love this place … She’s quick, affordable and does an outstanding job … No complaints here …

She’s way too expensive (and dishonest) and I will not return.
She first told me it would $ 35 for hems on two pants and one button.
I left the pants and when I returned to pick them up she
charged me $ 10 more!
I said, «You told me $ 35, not $ 45» and she showed be one of the hems
and said, «I did something special». Yeah, you hemmed my pants.
Isn’t that special.

I thought I’d give Lala Alterations a go as I had previously trailed to Los Gatos to get alterations done.
I dropped off three dresses: two which needed to be taken in and one dress that needed hemmed. I asked Lala for a cost estimate when I left the clothes and was told me that I couldn’t have one as Lala was not sure how much work the three pieces would required. Lala said she would call me if the cost was going to be greater than expected.
I received a call saying my dresses were ready, with the exception of the dress which required hemming which would require another fitting. I went in for the second fitting and at the same time picked up the two dresses which were finished.
When I came to pay I was taken aback by the cost: $ 80 each to take in the two dresses and $ 65 for the dress that needed hemming: $ 225 for the three pieces.
I queried the cost and Lala said that it was not expensive, the work required had been substantial and she had charged me accordingly, in fact she had not charged me for some of the time she had spent on the dresses, which had taken her at least two hours each.
At $ 80 per dress and at 2 hours each, that means Lala’s charge-​out rate is $ 40 an hour. I *am* used to paying less for similar work but perhaps this is down to the fact the previous seamstresses I’ve been to have under-​charged for their services.
While I was in the store, a gentleman came in to pick up a pair of pants Lala had hemmed for him. The cost was $ 15.
The fact Lala is charging $ 15 for a simple hemming job, which is comparable with other seamstresses in the area, made me believe that Lala was charging me for the work on my dresses what she believed was a fair price for the work done, rather than trying to rip me off.
The reason I’m writing this review is not to criticize Lala. The work done in taking in the two dresses was good, in particular Lala had matched the material at the sides where she had taken it in so the pattern was continuous. I am, though, writing it so that others can go forewarned that they may pay more at Lala’s than they are used to paying for alteration work but perhaps paying someone a decent price for the work they do is not such a bad thing.
I just wish that I had pushed harder at the outset for a cost estimate as this would have allowed me to decide whether this was what I wanted to pay for the alterations or just buy a new dress instead and sell the two that needed taking in.

I have used LaLa several times — putting bras into summer dresses, hemming jeans and pants, fixing a hold in my husband’s favorite jeans — and she has always been reasonably priced, quick turn-​around, and beautiful work! I appreciate her hard work, professionalism, and talent.

Maybe im a little biased because LaLa’s owner is my very own talented mom, so i will try to be as straightforward as possible. When I was in high school, I would go backstage with her in her shop while she went to work. She is always on top of her deadlines and is committed on giving exactly what her costumer wants. I always thought this type of work was repetitive and asked her if she ever gets bored, but she told me once that clothes alteration is like an art, and each new problem she has to fix is like a puzzle. Its not always black and white; to be good at what she does calls not only for skill (which she clearly has from a long history of past experience), but for improvisation. Plus all of my pants she hemmed are on point :3
She is also very honest. Ive seen some customers walk straight out the door because she told them that it would cost more to fix the clothes than to buy new ones. No bullshit with this woman. Plus I love how she put together the shop. It has a super cute, clean interior and has my sister’s artwork hung up on the walls.
Note: ask her how much you alteration will cost. Do not make assumptions. Dont blame her when you receive your clothes and she demands a price higher than you expected. If you ask her from the start and its a price you cant afford, then dont get it altered here. Simple as that. Her prices may seem higher than most, but the quality of her work makes up for it.
Note 2: my mom is korean. That means shes the master of bargaining, so if you try to bargain with her for a price reduction, you’ll probably lose #asianmoms
Go here if you want great quality service from someone who is really attentive and honest.

I love Lala’s, I love to support a good honest local business and this is what she is. She is always precise, makes great suggestions, affordable and on time.

I love Lala’s! I was so happy when Young opened up her business in Scotts Valley! She does a wonderful job! I’ve been going to her since she opened and I have never been disappointed. She does fantastic work and she’s always transparent with her prices.

This was a fantastic alteration place. The seamstress was personable and helped to get my pair of pants hemmed the way I needed and wanted.

I was on the roadtrip, depending on my sleeping bag for a good night sleep yet had a huge ripped part that get my feet cold so this business understood my needs and had it done in a hour in between their other customers’ tasks. I felt honored to have it fixed with top quality work so here’s five stars for this cute small business! :) –M

Oooo La La! My daughter and I use LaLa all the time. She works miracles! She’s brilliant! She can alter anything, has creative problem solving skills, is meticulous, and delivers on time. She’s done everything from simple pants hemming to complex re-​design of bridesmaid and prom dresses, and we’ve been totally pleased with it all. Improve your wardrobe and head to Lala!

Lala is a really expert seamstress. I can send her any garment and she’ll fix it with precision. She once told me she used to work for Forever 21. Not to say that garments from Forever 21 are meticulously sewn but what it does tell me is that she is in the «know» about the latest fashions and how the latest trends are cut. I brought Lala a dress recently that needed to be taken up. She not only took the dress up but did a better sewing job than the manufacturer! The original sewing job was not as clean as her machine stitches. I sew as a hobby so I totally noticed her «upgrade». I highly recommend her services!

I went to Lala to alter a pair of expensive slacks for a job interview. I only had a couple days before the interview and I said I would be happy if she could do something quickly. She said, «I can’t do it quickly, but I will do it correctly». She totally delivered and the pants were altered on time and perfectly done. You can’t even tell where the alterations were made. Unfortunately, didn’t get the job, but I did feel confident wearing my expertly altered pants. I will trust Lala to do alterations on any of my clothes in the future.