I'm getting my first MTM suit made and I'm wondering if my tailor screwing with me?

Hello all,

Sorry I have no photos to show, somehow I didn't think of taking any pictures.

I was recently told by my tailor that a shorter jacket makes a short man look taller. I am quite short already but my most of my height comes from my torso. my legs are slightly shorter than my torso. I disagreed with him as the jacket he had made for me was much too short. Unfortunately he was quite adamant that the length was fine. The jacket didn't quite cover ****** and only managed to touch the top of it. Ultimately he is remaking it as I really found it too short.

My question is this: does a short jacket really make a short man look taller? Would not a longer jacket that covers the torso adequately look better and more balanced than a shorter jacket, especially if a man has a longer torso than legs? Is my outfitter mistaken or am just taking the piss?

Not only TLDR, but there are no photos!



chobochobo said:

Not only TLDR, but there are no photos!

Click to expand...

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I didn't take any pictures. Well if my thread is inappropriate or incomplete in any way do feel free to delete it.

Difficult to say if it's inappropriate as TLDR



chobochobo said:

Difficult to say if it's inappropriate as TLDR

Click to expand...

OK, let me make a quick edit.

Short answer is that it can, but it depends on the individual and his/her body proportions. Furthermore, there's always a compromise - can't make you look taller without throwing off the balance elsewhere.

We generally judge the size of things by comparing its size to the size of other things. As has been said time and time again, the best way to appear taller is to hang around shorter people and that will have much bigger impact than any choice in stripes/ cut/ buttons etc

I struggle to see how a short cut jacket will make you look taller however I can see some truth in the argument that a different cut can adjust the perception of your torso to leg length ratio. Most people find longer legs appealing and if you say you're torso heavy this may be something for you even if you wont look overall any taller.

My advice is if you think it is marginal, usually it is fine. But if you think is correct and be pushy about it.

Usually for a tailor, for errors in measurements involving length and shoulders, usually the errors are fatal. Even if they set sufficient allowance for the length, after lengthening, the pockets will look wierd and out of place.

This means the tailor has to cut fabric again and re-do the jacket which means additional costs. If your tailor is interested in return business and feels it is wrong, usually he will accept the error and re-do for you.

But then again, with photos it will be easier to pass a judgement.

I'm also a short guy (5'5") with a longer torso/shorter legs ratio. My posts have stirred up debate on the jacket length question so a disclaimer that this is only my opinion and others will disagree. One thing to remember, however, is that there is a lot more to the balance of a jacket than length alone, and the shorter you go, the higher up the buttoning point (and pockets) need to be to leave enough space/length under the pockets. And a lower buttoning point can go a long way in helping your proportions, I think.

These pics won't tell the whole story, but in the end I've decided that longer is a bit better than shorter. You'll have to go with what makes you the most comfortable.

A couple suit supply jackets that I think are about .75" too long but I still wear them and don't mind it too much





My two most recent MTM's that I think are the right length for me




My early MTMs that I think are a bit too short (and the buttoning point is too high) but I also still wear these, because money.

I do agree the Suit Supply coats are too long. I think a god length would be where your finger join your palm but personal preference does mater.

Your jacket should definitely cover your ass and if truly at the top of it than your Tailor is making good by remaking the garment.

I'm no expert or anything its kind of hard to tell when there's no pic to give an opinion on lol,

but gotta admit the tailor is professional enough to repeat you're jacket regardless of what his professional opinion towards the jacket is.

Hopefully you can provide the pic at the end of you're finished jacket, would love to see the result!