Christina Johnson and her sister grew up among spools of thread, the hum of sewing machines and the gentle bustle of customers coming through her family’s tailoring shop. Before she was old enough to work there (officially), she was already folding fabric scraps and organizing thread.
“We were babysat in the store,” she said. “I think I was about seven when they started having me organize threads and pick up stuff — but we were mostly just being babysat so we wouldn’t get in trouble.”
Her mother and aunt opened the original shop, Just Alterations, in Long Beach in 1985. By 15, Christina had her first job there. Now co-owner of what’s become Fit & Style, she’s spent over two decades reshaping its identity into a boutique that goes far beyond hemlines.
“Around 10 years ago, we realized most of our clients were 65 and older. We needed to reimagine the store — not just as a place to drop off tailoring, but as a place for style,” she said. “People came in asking, ‘I like this, but it’s not working for me — what can I do?’ So we repositioned.”
Today, Fit & Style offers alterations, styling sessions, wardrobe assessments and a curated collection of vintage and secondhand garments through a sister brand, Jones & Johnson. The brand was co-created with Whitney Jones, whom Johnson says plays a key role in the future of Fit & Style.
Jones, one of Johnson’s sister’s best friends, has worked on and off at Fit & Style since she was 18 years old.
As Johnson’s mom moved into semi-retirement, Whitney stepped in to help manage the store and has helped chart its future trajectory, Johnson said.
“Our talented team of stylists and seamstresses are a major part of our success. We really wouldn't be at 40 years without them,” Johnson said.
The team includes six seamstresses and tailors working part-time and one additional fitter — all trained in design and clothing construction. Johnson said her shop differs from the average dry cleaner because of the experience and fashion education behind each fitting.
Through her sister brand and at Fit & Style, Christina encourages clients to rediscover their wardrobes — and themselves — with confidence and sustainability in mind.
“I just always had a really deep hatred for waste,” she said. “I tell people, ‘look, if you're going to invest in getting things tailored, you might as well get a nicer quality designer piece that'll last you longer.’ We used to run a campaign called ‘Shop Your Closet.’ You picked it up for a reason. Maybe you’re just not wearing it because you’re not sure how — or it just needs to be adjusted.”
That philosophy extends to education, too.
“We go over body proportions, body type. We talk about how to create that style that you're looking for based on your body shape, as well as the characteristics you want to represent,” she explained.
But the true mission of Fit & Style might be even more personal.
“We want people to feel good in their clothing and how they’re presenting themselves to the world.”
That includes breaking harmful self-talk habits.
“If you wouldn’t say it to your friend, you’re not allowed to say it to yourself,” she said. “It’s not okay to look in a mirror and say you look ugly or fat or short. It’s not creating peace in yourself or in this world.”
She’s made that a shop-wide rule.
“We're not going to stand for it,” she said. “Because we get so used to saying it or thinking it's okay — and it honestly isn't.”
Whether helping someone update their wardrobe after a career change or reworking a late loved one’s jacket into something wearable, her focus is always the same: transformation with meaning.
“One time we reworked a woman’s husband’s Coast Guard jacket after he passed,” she recalled.
“It was this big, bulky uniform and we turned it into this funky, Sergeant Peppery-style jacket. It was very bohemian, and very personal.”
Fit & Style has also helped brides rework their mother’s or grandmother’s wedding gowns into modern reception looks or rehearsal dresses — blending heritage with personality.
For Johnson, those projects underscore why she’s proud of the craft itself. “We’re the kind of shop — if we do it, we’re going to do it right,” she said. “It’s going to last, and it’s going to look good.”
From upcycling to uplifting, Christina hopes her shop remains a community anchor.
“If we can learn to love ourselves better,” she said, “we can love our neighbors better — and the world better.”
"We needed to reimagine the store — not just as a place to drop off tailoring, but as a place for style.”
More on Fit & Style
Formerly Just Alterations, Fit & Style was located in Long Beach for 35 years before moving to 330 Main St in Seal Beach in 2020.
Hours:
9 A.M. to 6 P.M. Tuesday through Thursday
10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Friday
10 A.M. to 3 P.M. Saturday
Closed on Sunday and Monday
By appointment only. Call (562) 431-6503 or visit fitandstyle.biz to schedule an appointment.