Should I shorten the jacket?

[gimmegintonic]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum. I just bought an RTW jacket.

I'll find a tailor to shorten the sleeves. Also wondering if the jacket is too long as well?

Should I ask the tailor to shorten the jacket if it overall fits well or it's a risky move that I might just return the jacket? (I assume it is technically challenging.)

I want to wear it casually in the office. Thanks.

 

[krudsma]

Would be helpful to see a pic where you can see your feet as well, as the jacket will only look too long or too short in relation to your full height. That said, never mess with the length of the jacket. It's very difficult and expensive work and because of how it messes with the proportions of the pockets and button stance, it never winds up looking right.

To my eye this looks like a good length, so I'd leave it alone.

 

[jeremygo]

The length looks right to me.

 

[beigesuitedswe]

I'm with krudsma above. The length needs to be viewed in proportion to the whole silhouette. Mark Cho of the Armoury talks in the video linked below about the proportion of jacket and trouser. It should be about 50/50 for a suit and possibly more trouser for a odd jacket combo.



And shortening a single breasted coat is quite difficult because you need to recut the curved fronts. It can also throw off the balance with the pockets, especially patch pockets. A double breasted with a straight bottom and flapped/jetted pockets is much easier to shorten. I've done that myself a few times.

 

[comrade]

Fits beautifully.

 

[Despos]

Might be easier to decide after shortening the sleeves.

turn up the hem of the jacket and pin it or use tape and see how it looks

 

[Stylewords]

1. We need full-length photo.
2. Shortening jacket is difficult to get right.
3. Styleforum NEVER says a jacket is too long provided it ends above the knee (thus "fully covering your rear like a jacket should").

 

[gimmegintonic]

Here are more pics!

Follow up question: I feel the back of the jacket doesn't drape well. Where is the problem?

 

[gimmegintonic]

Would be helpful to see a pic where you can see your feet as well, as the jacket will only look too long or too short in relation to your full height. That said, never mess with the length of the jacket. It's very difficult and expensive work and because of how it messes with the proportions of the pockets and button stance, it never winds up looking right.

To my eye this looks like a good length, so I'd leave it alone.

Thanks for the advice! I've just posted more pics. This is my first off-the-rack jacket purchase, guess I'll have to make some compromises.

 

[gimmegintonic]

I'm with krudsma above. The length needs to be viewed in proportion to the whole silhouette. Mark Cho of the Armoury talks in the video linked below about the proportion of jacket and trouser. It should be about 50/50 for a suit and possibly more trouser for a odd jacket combo.



And shortening a single breasted coat is quite difficult because you need to recut the curved fronts. It can also throw off the balance with the pockets, especially patch pockets. A double breasted with a straight bottom and flapped/jetted pockets is much easier to shorten. I've done that myself a few times.

It's a very comprehensive video, thanks for the recommendation.

From the picture I posted, I think it's more like a 60/40 ratio, which is not ideal.

I realized the pocket and button positions are hard to adjust and not worth spending the money to go to the tailor for this.

Wondering if you will also deal with the button positions when you shorten your jackets?

 

[gimmegintonic]

Might be easier to decide after shortening the sleeves.

turn up the hem of the jacket and pin it or use tape and see how it looks

Debating if i should keep this jacket. I'll fix the sleeves first if I end up keeping it.

 

[krudsma]

It's a very comprehensive video, thanks for the recommendation.

From the picture I posted, I think it's more like a 60/40 ratio, which is not ideal.

I realized the pocket and button positions are hard to adjust and not worth spending the money to go to the tailor for this.

Wondering if you will also deal with the button positions when you shorten your jackets?

Personally I think that length looks great. The first time I bought a jacket that was the correct length, it felt way too long because my eye just wasn't used to the proportions. Once you get the sleeves shortened, just encourage yourself to wear it a few times and I think you'll find it feels right. I'd be really happy with that as a first RTW purchase.

 

[Grayland]

I think it is too long. I've had jackets shortened, but with the closeness of the patch pockets to the bottom, any shortening will look "off".

 

[Despos]

Debating if i should keep this jacket. I'll fix the sleeves first if I end up keeping it.

roll the sleeves up by turning them under. You don't have to wait to see the difference.
go to a men’s store and try on other jackets if you can.
Is this jacket a regular? Try the same size on in a short. It will be 1” shorter than a regular.

 

[gimmegintonic]

roll the sleeves up by turning them under. You don't have to wait to see the difference.
go to a men’s store and try on other jackets if you can.
Is this jacket a regular? Try the same size on in a short. It will be 1” shorter than a regular.

This is 38S hopsack from Spier Mackay. I don't live in North America, so return and exchange is problematic. I don't think they have a shorter version?

I am a shirt and chinos guy. Let me try the whole jacket thing first and I am sure I'll visit the stores and get a nicer one.