The secret is in the fit

Amy Lindquist is a champion of bargain clothes shopping. She rarely pays full price, she knows all the good thrift stores and how to overcome the all-too-common dilemma of falling in love with a deal even when the fit's all wrong.

Her secret weapon: a good tailor.

"The difference between looking good and looking amazing is the fit," Lindquist said. "It doesn't matter if you paid $9 or $900; if it doesn't fit, you've wasted your money."

Lindquist is a certified image consultant and owner of Lindquist Fashion and Image Consulting. She advises her clients to save money on their wardrobes by shopping for deals, then paying to have garments altered for the perfect fit.

She recently introduced her client Judy Malsom to a world of alterations beyond the hemming of pants. At a consignment store, Lindquist found Malsom the almost-perfect dress to wear to a formal wedding, except that the plunge of the neckline was too low. Lindquist told her that for about $9, a tailor could adjust the neckline.

"It opened my eyes, especially when shopping for bargains, to all the things that a tailor can do for such little money," Malsom said.

Now Malsom plans to take in her wide-leg pants to achieve the trendy narrow fit.

To show us how to turn an ill-fitting bargain into a perfect fit, we sent Lindquist to scour the sale racks for a few of her clients. She found four items that weren't perfect, but the deals were too red-hot to pass up.

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HUGO BOSS MEN'S DESIGNER SPORT COAT

Store: Saks Off 5th

Price: Retail, $595; sale price, $299.99

Alterations: $19.17

Total savings: $275.84

Tailor: Cedarvale Tailors, Eagan

Lindquist says: With the superior quality, cut, styling and fabric - 100 percent imported wool - it can be worn year-around with everything from dress slacks to a T-shirt and jeans. The sleeves needed to be shortened for a perfect fit.

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J.S. BOUTIQUE DESIGNER COCKTAIL DRESS

Store: TurnStyle Consignment Store

Price: Retail, $168; sale price, $72

Alterations: $9

Total savings: $87

Tailor: Sandy's Sewing Den, Oakdale

Lindquist says: The perfect gown in the perfect color, but the neckline was too low. She had the neckline adjusted.

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MARC JACOBS WOMEN'S DESIGNER JEANS

Store: NuLook Designer Consignment

Price: Retail, $168; sale price, $40

Alterations: $20

Total savings: $108

Tailor: Pilgrim Cleaners, Lakeville

Lindquist says: These jeans were on sale because they have a flare leg. They were altered to have a straighter leg.

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DKNY MEN'S DESIGNER DRESS SLACKS

Store: TJMaxx

Price: Retail, $80; sale price, $29.99

Alterations: $14

Total savings: $36.01

Tailor: Pilgrim Cleaners, Lakeville

Lindquist says: These dress slacks were the correct fit in the waist, but were too long.

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TAILORING TIPS

Find someone close for convenience's sake. Ask about pricing, but also ask where they gained their experience.

Tailors who work for big department stores are some of the best in the business.

Don't buy something unless it can be returned. Tailors can do many things, but they can't work magic. Leave the tags on until you talk to them.

Buy as close to your size as possible. It's okay to get a size or two larger, but not smaller.

Many dry cleaners have a tailor on site.