E. Umapathy at Spence Plaza .
| Photo Credit: RAGU R
In a mall where shops woo visitors with spanking-new clothes stands a rank outlier, a shop that wears old clothes like a badge of honour. Chennai Stitcher, as this shop at the second floor of Spencers Plaza First Phase is called, is not about selling pre-loved clothes, but making those old clothes loved once again by the same owner.A resident of Royapettah for nearly 20 years. E. Umapathy has positioned Chennai Stitcher as a specialist in old cloth alteration work. The 47-year-old tailor has not sealed the seam on new clothes though; he readily stitches new clothes for people bringing that kind of work to him. But alteration of old clothes is his staple service, old clothes for women, men and children coming within its ambit.Umapathy established this shop, which operates within a shop selling new apparel around a year ago. Those visiting the apparel showrooms in the mall learn about his services and bring their old clothes the next time they are at the mall.In his previous avatars, Umapathy had been a master tailor for 10 years at an apparel major and worked in the Cable TV industry for seven years.During the pandemic, he had been down on his luck, being out of employment, and that adversity sowed in his mind the idea of independence and relative certainty that can derive from being one’s own boss.Umapathy lists among his USPs reasonable pricing, wide repertoire and door delivery.“My basic alteration price is ₹60 and the price increases from there only on the basis of the complexity of the alteration work. I undertake alteration work that most tailors baulk at. For example, when it comes to altering jeans pants, most tailors would undertake alteration that requires them to make those pants tighter, and reject work that requires jeans pants to be made looser. I accept both forms of work. Within a 10-kilometre radius, I offer door delivery if the payment for the alteration work comes up to ₹500. I deliver the clothes by a bike in the late evening hours.”Umapathy’s regular expenditure includes paying for the education of two college-going children. Asked if he manages to meet his expenses without difficulty, he says, “I manage but with difficulty.”P. Goutham Chand, a regular customer at Chennai Stitcher, says Umapathy never says “no” to any clothes that are brought to him for alteration. Among the clothes that Goutham has got altered by Umapathy is an old coat. Goutham notes that among factors enhancing customer experience is the fast delivery ensured by Umapathy.Umapathy can be contacted at 9884541415Report by R. Ragu Published - May 19, 2026 12:06 pm IST
