Free tailoring on suits $899+ · Shop Suits →
Where It Starts
Tailoring isn't something we added. It's where we started.
Stephen Derk — Derk's Mens & Boys Wear, Edmonton, 1965
Stephen Derk was born just outside of Zagreb, Croatia. He built his own tailoring business there, at his peak employing ten tailors. Then the Second World War came, and everything changed. He was forced to use his craft to make uniforms for occupying troops. Then he escaped.
He spent over a year as a refugee in Trieste before making his way to Canada. His first year was spent working on a farm in Leduc, Alberta, earning his citizenship. He couldn't even pick up a needle yet. Then he moved to Edmonton, with his hands, his training, and nothing else, and started over.
He set up a sewing machine in his basement and became a traveling tailor, servicing forestry camps and mining towns up north, shipping suits by post, collecting chits from postmen just to get paid. In 1965, he opened Derk's Mens & Boys Wear in Capilano Mall. His son Darrell carried it forward in the 1980s. And his grandson Sterling, named after him, renamed the store Mr. Derk. An ode to the man who started it all.
Stephen Derk, Founder
Generation I
Stephen Derk
Master tailor. Zagreb to Edmonton. Opened Derk's Mens & Boys Wear, 1965.
Generation II
Darrell Derk
Built Derks Formals & Menswear. Expanded the formal and rental side.
Generation III
Sterling Derk
Named after his grandfather. Returning the brand to its tailoring roots.
From the family archive
Identity Document
c. 1945
Stephen & Friends
Croatia, c. 1948
Stephen & Darrell
Edmonton, c. 1965
Darrell & Gay
Wedding, 1970s
Derk's Formals
Edmonton, 1980s
"The suit was absolutely perfect, elegant, well-fitted, and made with such great attention to detail."
Edmonton Bag Spa — Google Review
Why It Matters
One shop. One team.
Most stores outsource their alterations. We don't. Our tailor works on-site, which means faster turnaround, better quality control, and no hand-off where things get lost or miscommunicated. When you buy a suit here, the people fitting you are the same ones altering it.
Your garment stays with us from fitting to finish. No third-party shops, no drop-offs.
Every alteration has a set price, listed below. You'll always know the cost before work begins.
We know the construction of every suit we sell, which means we know exactly what can and can't be altered safely.
If an alteration won't give you the result you're after, we'll tell you before we touch the garment.
By The Numbers
Three generations. One craft.
Opened
Altered
of Tailoring
Alteration Cost
Work
Over 300,000 alterations since 1965. Every one done by hand, in-house. That knowledge doesn't live in a manual. It lives in how we fit a garment today.
"Fantastic service, knowledgeable staff and great alterations tailor."
Google Review — 5 stars
The Difference
The fitting conversation most tailors skip
When you come in for a fitting at Mr. Derk, we ask questions that most alterations shops don't. Your workout routine. How you carry your weight. Whether you sit at a desk all day or you're on your feet. Whether you want room to move or a closer fit.
This isn't small talk. It's how we make decisions about where to take in, where to leave room, and how to fit the garment to the life you actually live in it.
The person asking the questions and the person doing the work are in the same building, and usually the same conversation. That's the advantage of keeping everything in-house.
Worth Knowing
On the cost of tailoring
We hear it often, especially from wedding parties. Someone picks up a suit, looks at the alteration quote, and the number gives them pause. We get it. So here's what we want you to know.
We call the tailoring shops. We know what alterations cost across Edmonton. We set our prices at or below the market rate. If you've found cheaper for the exact same work, bring us the quote and we'll match it. Guaranteed.
A garment that's properly fitted to your body lasts longer. No unnecessary tension on the seams, no fabric pulling where it shouldn't. A suit that fits moves with you, which means it holds up. The $100 you spend on alterations today extends the life of a garment you'll wear for the next decade.
Our rates are benchmarked against what's available in the city. Not guessed.
A properly fitted garment has no unnecessary tension. It moves with you and holds up longer.
Off-the-rack is made for an average. Your body isn't average. Tailoring closes that gap.
Transparent Pricing
Alteration pricing
Flat-rate pricing in CAD. No hidden fees. Suits purchased at Mr. Derk for $899+ include complimentary tailoring. Prices below apply to outside garments.
Standard rates on standard construction. Complex alterations may require a custom quote. We'll always confirm first.
Price Match
Find the same work quoted cheaper in Edmonton? Bring us the quote. We'll match it.
Avg. Full Suit
$100 – $130
Sleeves + waist + trousers. Free with suits $899+.
What Customers Say
"My husband had a new suit picked out in under an hour, and the alterations were done the same day."
Patti T. — ★★★★★
Step By Step
How it works
Most alterations are straightforward. Here's what to expect.
Tell us what you're looking for. We'll assess the garment and let you know what's possible.
You try it on. Our tailor marks the adjustments directly on the garment while you're wearing it.
Alterations are done on-site. Standard turnaround is 1 to 2 weeks.
Try it on one last time before you leave. We want to make sure it's right before it goes home with you.
"Amazing prices for a high quality product and world class service!"
Google Review — 5 stars
Common Questions
Questions we get asked
Is it worth getting a suit tailored?
Usually, yes. A mid-range suit that fits properly will look better than an expensive one that doesn't. Tailoring isn't just for bespoke. It's one of the best upgrades you can make to an off-the-rack piece.
How much does suit tailoring cost in Edmonton?
At Mr. Derk, individual alterations range from $10 to $55 CAD. A full suit adjustment (sleeves, waist, and trousers) typically runs $100 to $130. Suits purchased here at $899 or over include tailoring at no extra charge.
How long do suit alterations take?
Standard turnaround is 1 to 2 weeks. If you need it sooner, ask us. Rush availability depends on the work involved and our current schedule.
Can you alter a suit I bought somewhere else?
Yes. We take on alterations for outside garments at the standard rates listed above. Bring it in, we'll take a look and confirm pricing before anything is touched.
Is it worth buying a cheaper suit and having it tailored?
Often. The caveat is construction. Very inexpensive suits (under $300) are usually fused rather than canvassed, which limits what a tailor can safely do. A suit in the $500+ range is generally a better candidate. Bring it in and we'll give you an honest read.
What's the difference between tailoring and alterations?
The terms are often used interchangeably. Strictly speaking, bespoke tailoring means building a garment from scratch to your measurements. Alterations adjust an existing garment to fit better. What we do is in-house alterations, adjusting off-the-rack and made-to-measure pieces to fit your specific body.