Shirley's Designs & Alterations is dedicated to making you feel good and looking great in what you're wearing. Whether it's your favorite pair of jeans, your best business suit or your wedding dress, Veda and her team will make your fit flawless.
For more than 30 years, Shirley's Designs & Alterations has been providing expert alterations, hand-crafted tailoring and custom fashion designs to meet the wardrobe needs of the greater Oakland community.Oh my goodness. I can't express how much I love this business. Professional. First Class with outstanding results.
For more than 30 years, Shirley's Designs & Alterations has been providing expert alterations, hand-crafted tailoring and custom fashion designs to meet the wardrobe needs of the greater Oakland community.Oh my goodness. I can't express how much I love this business. Professional. First Class with outstanding results.
Services
Our Story begins in New Orleans, where Veda Ambeau, owner and proprietor of Shirley's Designs & Alterations, learned to sew at the age of six alongside her grandmother, a master tailor, and her mother, a sewing teacher. Fast forward to Berkeley High School where Veda completed her Advanced Tailoring coursework by 11th grade and sets off to the San Francisco School of Fashion Design to get her degree.
We do full service Men's Alterations & Tailoring right in Oakland. Give us a call or schedule a fitting for a price quote or, of course, just drop by our retail shop on Lakeshore Ave. We are happy to help. Suits, slacks, jackets, jeans - custom tailoring, alterations and repair to provide you with the perfect fit.
Welcome to the world of Doncaster - a top designer in the personal fashion space. Doncaster's lines are timeless. Their pieces are made with the finest fabrics and the greatest attention to detail. Their look: classic yet contemporary and always in style. Shirley's Designs & Alterations is proud to be the only Doncaster distributor in the greater Bay Area and 'the' place for Trunk shows, special events and exclusive offers.
Oh my goodness. I can't express how much I love this business. Professional. First Class with outstanding results. Even though she knows when you enter what's best for you she listens to your ideas and help you understand design uniquely. I had a fantastic experience here. They did a great job on my suit, and furthermore, provided an additional alteration on my pants for free!
Our Veda is going in for a beautiful new set over the holidays and the shop will be dark while she's recuperating. That means we'll be closed during the last minute nip and tuck rush for New Year's Eve. So now is the time to get your holiday alterations done, especially if you have awesome plans to usher in 2020.
Reviews (10)
Mimi Johnson-Jacobs
Jan 18, 2022
Report
Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value
Veda is the best of the best. She designed and made my wedding dress. It is a thing of beauty and versatile, with a removable skirt. I treasure it and her for making the spectacular garment that I wore to marry the best man ever in September of 2021.
Service: Design
Veda is the best of the best. She designed and made my wedding dress. It is a thing of beauty and versatile, with a removable skirt. I treasure it and her for making the spectacular garment that I wore to marry the best man ever in September of 2021.
Service: Design
Yesenia Galvan
Sep 18, 2021
Report
I worked with Veda on alterations for my bridesmaid's dress for my sister's wedding. The original design of the dress was a boxy mess and Veda brought the material to life by strategically taking it in to create a stylish and form fitting silhouette. I was incredibly happy with the final product. My plan is to continue my relationship with Shirley's Designs because why would I ever end such a good thing?
In the picture below, I am the lilac dress on the furthermost left.
In the picture below, I am the lilac dress on the furthermost left.
Monica
Nov 21, 2020
Report
Veda helped me with my wedding dress, which was no easy task (lots of layers) but she made sure that my dress fit perfectly for my special day. The dress originally had over the should straps and she altered the straps to fit off the shoulder, with a French bustle. The only downside is parking was difficult in the area, and it was a bit on the pricey side but for special occasions it’s worth it.
Kelsey Chirlinn
Sep 05, 2019
Report
I had Veda alter two of my dresses this past summer. The first was an engagment dress which I bought online which was so ill-fitting! Veda fixed it up on short notice and was very easy to work with.
I also brought in my wedding dress which she did an excellent job making fit like a (very comfortable) glove. I am so impressed with her expertise and calm cool demeanor.
I give it 4/5 stars because there were a few times where I had made appointments with Veda, and they didn't make it on the calendar. The receptionist was on top of her game when it came to rescheduling so it wasn't too big of a deal
I also brought in my wedding dress which she did an excellent job making fit like a (very comfortable) glove. I am so impressed with her expertise and calm cool demeanor.
I give it 4/5 stars because there were a few times where I had made appointments with Veda, and they didn't make it on the calendar. The receptionist was on top of her game when it came to rescheduling so it wasn't too big of a deal
L. Reynolds
Sep 15, 2018
Report
I have been going to Veda for several years after several local friends recommended her services. Veda does an amazing job with off the rack clothing that she can then tailor to fit perfectly for a very affordable price. I have taken pants, jackets, and outerwear to her to get that perfect fit. Adjusting linings, buttons or trim is never an issue. Recently I took in a well loved blouse that had a faux leather trim that was damaged by my cleaners. Veda found the perfect matching trim, replaced it on the blouse, and it now looks fantastic. My daughter brought in her prom dress for simple tailoring
Lindsay Armstrong
Sep 07, 2017
Report
I had a great experience with Veda at Shirley's design and Alteration! My dress had a crazy uneven hemline from the start, and so much material. In my opinion, it seemed like it might be a tough job. But Veda is so profession and precise; my dress came out looking perfect! The length was great and was perfect for my event. Veda even went above and beyond and made me a beautiful belt to go with the dress, free of charge. It was the nicest gesture, and absolutely made the outfit! I've already recommended her to many people :). Thanks so much!
Allegra Poggio
Aug 28, 2017
Report
I went to Shirley's upon a recommendation from my wedding planners to get help with alterations to my wedding dress. My experience was amazing. I had a really well made, but complex dress and was nervous about putting it in anyones hands but it turned out better than I could have imagined!
I worked with Veda. We had 4 appointments. Each one was smooth and easy. Veda has eyes for everything and is very intuitive when it comes to determining what is best for you and the dress. We added cuffs / straps to the dress which looked amazing. She was professional, communicative and warm.
I have since taken
I worked with Veda. We had 4 appointments. Each one was smooth and easy. Veda has eyes for everything and is very intuitive when it comes to determining what is best for you and the dress. We added cuffs / straps to the dress which looked amazing. She was professional, communicative and warm.
I have since taken
Carter Dunlap
Jun 19, 2017
Report
Veda is the ultimate professional for anyone wanting the highest quality tailoring or dress making. I took three new suits to be tailored earlier this summer. What I thought would be one and done turned into repeat visits because Veda was not happy that work was quite done. Most of the time I couldn't even notice what she saw but when she pointed it out I saw it but felt it was good enough. I've had many suits "altered" by the stores or independent tailors. Never have any fit as well as these suits do now. This level of professionalism and commitment to perfection is really really rare these days
Jon Randall
Nov 17, 2016
Report
I worked with Veda to alter several high-end, but very dated items that I hadn't worn in years (a tux, several pants and sport jackets, etc.). Veda did an amazing job altering each item to be more "current" and better fit my trimmer body. She was very attentive and meticulous. I now have a new wardrobe at a fraction of what it would have cost to buy these items today. I'd highly recommend her to anyone looking for a trustworthy tailor.
Kittermix
Sep 12, 2014
Report
Just recommended Veda to a friend for wedding dress alteration. She noticed the tiniest little details to improve the fit of my wedding dress back in 2010. It made all the difference, added the back bow I wanted and it fit like a glove, very custom. Totally reasonable price too! Thank you again for making the dress my "dream" dress.
