Sizes and alterations to vests

[yoyo]

I was wanting to pick up a few odd vests.

Do vests need to be sized as closely as jackets? Would buying a 40 or 42 fit, when i normally wear a 38 (or 37, if i can find it)? How much can the belt thing in the back accomodate while still looking acceptable?

If not, can they be altered to fit?

 

[alliswell]

Get them to fit. Vests are intended to fit tightly, and altering them properly means recutting the armholes and chest, which gets expensive.

 

[stickonatree]

vests are very hard to alter correctly, due to the small amount of fabric available and the "curved" shape of fabric from the shoulders of the chestpiece connecting to the backpiece. i once had an odd vest altered, and it did not turn out well. the slope of the shoulders became very awkward, and the neck of the vest just increased significantly to where it looked too big.

 

[yoyo]

Thanks.

 

[Holdfast]

Originally Posted by stickonatree

vests are very hard to alter correctly, due to the small amount of fabric available and the "curved" shape of fabric from the shoulders of the chestpiece connecting to the backpiece. i once had an odd vest altered, and it did not turn out well. the slope of the shoulders became very awkward, and the neck of the vest just increased significantly to where it looked too big.


I had a low-cut black-tie waistcoat taken in very easily with no problems. Though that was just a matter of needing taking in both the sides rather than messing around with the neck or back at all.

 

[LeonM]

This may well be a function of how hard one is to fit in the first place.

I have a couple of off the peg waistcoats, and the stand of the collar off my neck, seems worse that with OTR coats, what with my dropped shoulders and all.

And there seemed to be less leeway than with a coat, for my alteration tailor to play with.

Leon