Vintage to order

There is no point in owning a gorgeous, where'd-you-get-that item of clothing if you never actually don it because it doesn't fit. Noe Valley designer Jan Warnock can ensure that won't happen. Pick a piece from her chick feminine collection, and she'll take measurements, make it in your choice of fabric, schedule a fitting to refine the size, and add a unique detail or two, vintage buttons, and a contrasting lining of your choice. 415-706-6040, www.janwarnock.com

Custom gowns

Attention, brides-to-be: you already know Monique and Vera, but if their dresses would swallow up half your wedding budget, let us introduce you to Theresa LaQuey, who has been making custom vintage-style wedding and sepcial-occasion gowns for 18 years. She sepcializes in 1930s Hollywood-style gowns, but she can turn out styles from just about any era. Whether you're looking for a simple ivory sheath, a gown bedecked with 150,000 beads, or a tour de force with a skirt made entirely of feathers, she'll come through for you. Bridal gowns start at $1,300. 510-635-6554, decomodiste@hotmail.com

Beautiful kicks

Susanne George Shoes' made-to-measure footwear is so elegent, you'd never know to look for it in an orthopedic shop. The majority or her customers are folks who have given up on regular stores, but she's really an artisan for anyone who wants the perfect pair shoes-- from boots made with antique military wool crepe to red kid leather pumps. She works out of Fonda's Custom Orthopedic Shoes, whose 83-year-old Italian owner, Pietro Fonda, once made sandals for Mother Teresa. Her shoes won't make you a saint, but they will make you feel like you can walk on air. 1787 Church St, S.F., 415-775-1775

Couture for tykes

Kid couture might sound ridiculous, but what if your offspring is a budding Yves Saint Laurent or Anne Klein? Students at Wee Scotty's "fashion school" do the designing and sewing themselves, learning how to choose fabrics, follow patterns, and create custom clothes with thier own hands (and a sweing machine). For the less crafty, owner Lynne Gallagher will custom fit items from her retail line as needed. 415-345-9200. www.weescotty.com

Old-school tailor

Who knew that the city's best kept secret in affordable tailoring was sitting under our noises on Grant Avenue? Al's Attire has an old-fashioned-sounding name, and Al Ribaya can certainly do old-fa tch together more than a hundred contrasting swatches to make an intricately constructed jacket, or create a beautiful everyday coat with a bright lining and piping. The prices are shockingly reaonable for such high-quality work, and Ribaya brings considerable skill and knowledge of fabric, cut, and lining to every garment. 1314 Grant Avenue, S.F., 415-693-9900, www.alsattire.com

Alterations

Whether she's tailoring a couture evening gown or simply stitching a humble hem, Emanuela Palazzo brings old-world precision to her work. She learned the art in her native Italy, worked for years at Neiman Marcus and Chanel, and for the past 10 years has been operating her own studio (Moda) on Geary Street in Union Square. She's a lovely woman, and there seems to be no project beyond her capabilities. (She's currently recreating the elaborate gown Helen Mirren wore to the Oscars for a local society mother-of-the-bride.) After Palazzo works her magic on an item, it will truly fit like a glove. 166 Geary St., Ste 1202, S.F., 415-398-8010

Pants

Finding pants that fit beautifully off the rack is practically impossible, which is why Lucy & Lily is such a killer find. The San Francisco custom pants company employs a proprietary technology called Alter.dot to create a unique pattern for each customer and then builds pants from scratch based on the style (choose from seven sassy designs), fabric, color, and details preferred. Time-saving bonus: repeat customers don't need additional fittings, unless they've been running marathons, or eating too many cookies--all patterns are kept in the Lucy & Lily database. 444 Townsend St., S.F., 415-978-9550, www.lucyandlilly.com