Altering a fully canvassed suit down from 48 to 46?

[Xct999]

Hey everyone. A while ago I posted a thread asking for advice to purchase a mid range suit - I was resistant to Brooks Brothers initially but tried on a size 48 golden fleece that looks and feels great. Here's the dilemma:

1. It is $1700. That's not nothing to me.
2. 10 years ago I was a 42, then a 44. I've now settled comfortably into 46 where I've been for a while. Most BB and other mainstream suits fit me at 46.
3. This golden fleece fits me at 48.
4. I have also returned to the gym. If I lose a little bit of weight (I'm not expecting to ever go all the way back down) I'm paying for a $1700 suit that will look good for 1-2 occasions and then become a sack.

Ultimate question: 6 months from now, can I alter this fully canvassed suit from 48 to 46?

Thanks.

 

[jefferyd]

The way the jacket grades from 46 to 48, 1/4" is added to the back panel at the side seam, 1/4" is added to the side panel at the side seam, and 1/2" is added to center front. You can definitely remove the 1/4" from the back panel, the side panel is tricky but doable, but the buttonhole is in the way at center front so nothing can be done there. You could take everything off the back of a size 48, but it won't fit the same way a size 46 would fit. You are likely to have too much fabric at the front of the coat.

 

[Xct999]

Ok. Thank you. And that can't just straight up be removed?

 

[jefferyd]

No- there is a buttonhole in the way.

 

[Xct999]

Got it. Ok thanks.