What Is a Seam Allowance - And Why It Matters

In tailoring, the details speak for themselves

A seam allowance is the extra fabric left between the edge of the fabric and the stitching line. Typically hidden inside the garment, this discreet margin allows a piece to be let out or taken in as needed. As standard, these allowances are often shaved down to the bare minimum, leaving no room to adjust fit without re-making the entire piece.

At Margene, we design differently.

We deliberately build generous seam allowances into every pair of trousers, because bodies change, and clothing should keep up. This technique, rooted in the tailoring traditions of both Savile Row and Indian garment-making, allows your trousers to be altered by up to two sizes over time. Whether it's a postpartum shift, a waistline that ebbs and flows, or simply a change in preference, seam allowance makes your garments more adaptable and less disposable.

And because we pair this detail with our Alter platform, a complimentary lifetime tailoring service, it becomes more than a construction choice, it's a philosophy. One that respects craftsmanship, the planet, and your lived experience.

So the next time you slip into a pair of trousers that just fit, know there's something quietly brilliant happening on the inside.