It's one of the oldest professions in the world but sadly the traditional tailor has long disappeared from our towns and high streets. Finding a traditional tailor who can create a made-to-measure shirt or suit or carry out alterations to an existing outfit can be a tricky task with many tailors now working from home.

However, visitors to Basildon do not have to look so far thanks to the conveniently placed Market Tailors - a professional tailoring service located in the heart of Basildon Market. Despite the on-going expansion of high street fashion retailers and clothing chains, there will always be demand for made-to-measure dresses and formal wear which fit to perfection and are designed in custom-made fabric. The reality is, we're not all one size and finding that beautiful, figure flattering dress or suit can be difficult if we have to rely on the standard sizing offered by major retail chains. This is especially true if you are taller or smaller than average.

Special occasions such as weddings and christenings warrant a little more luxury which is why many people are still choosing to consult the services of a professional tailor for their wardrobe solution. Tailoring is also a great idea if you've fallen in love with a dress on the high street which is too big or you've lost weight and no longer fill an old favourite. Market Tailors incorporates an alterations service which ensures customers can achieve a custom-made fit on an existing item of clothing at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a new outfit altogether.

What is custom-made clothing? Custom made clothing is clothing which is made according to your measurements (waist, bust, hips etc.). With the rise in fashion and celebrity magazines, many people want to recreate an outfit they've seen in the media and seek the services of a tailor to help recreate it. This will usually be much cheaper than buying the original, especially if it's designer. Commercial patterns can also be taken to a tailor for clothing to be made on demand.

There are really no rules when it comes to custom-made clothing but it's always advisable to plan for a final fitting or alterations, particularly if it's for a very important event such as a wedding or a ball. Also allow sufficient time for the item to be made to avoid disappointment.

There is a growing trend towards fashion recycling - wearing old dresses, suits and jackets again to keep bills down and also to help protect the environment. With members of the Royal Family proving its ok to wear something twice, more and more people are taking another look at their wardrobe to see if there's anything worthy of revamping. So if there's a long jacket that could look better shortened or a unfashionably wide trouser which needs slimming, consider using a professional tailor and saving some money.

Basildon Market offers a host of traditional services from tailoring and haberdashery to greengrocers and authentic food stalls. Opening times are from 8.30am to 4pm Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8.30am to 4.30pm on Fridays and from 8.30am to 5pm on Saturdays. For more information, call Basildon Market on 01268 288268.