Can I "downsize" a shearling coat?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc4 

I managed to get my hands on a lovely Schott shearling jacket ... shawl collar and raglan sleeves ... at an absolute steal of a price. Unfortunately, the jacket is several sizes too large for me to wear, and looks like an absolute tent on me.

Other than that, I absolutely love it, and the shearling itself is so thick and wonderful ... the sort of stuff I never see ... that I'd love to salvage the jacket.

Is this something that a good leather specialist can do? Knock the whole jacket down a few sizes so it fits me well?

Anything can be done and shearlings are usually simple construction.I have a Neiman Marcus raglan with shawl collar but I think in a shealing set in sleeves are better although I generally prefer raglan in everything else. A furrier can take the coat apart but is it worth it? Unless it's a $2k brand new coat I wouldn't bother. Just buy one in your size.

 if it was such a bargain surely you can sell it and make money to get one your size albeit more expensive no? honest question. that is what i would do!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc4 

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I can't take it back as it was a close-out sale (many years ago back when I was fatter and didn't understand my proper size too well.)

The material is so thick and wonderful ... not like the overly-shaved thin stuff you normally see nowadays ...that buying a different coat isn't an option.

But thanks, I'll see what a good leather craftsman can do.

In a shearling the lighter thinner skins from lambs are the best and most epensive. You don't want all of that bulk. I've found, and I've had a number of them over the years, that a size down is best because as you wear it the fur sort of flattens out.