Adjusting length of shirt sleeves/dc tailor

[markr]

Nearly two years ago, I was in Brussels and was taken by a friend to a shirt store there. The friend is a bit of a snob, as was the salesperson. Not to be outdone, I walked out with a $100 shirt without even trying it on. Needless to say, it was several inches too long in the sleeves (though it otherwise fits OK), and I have never worn it. My question is whether it would be worthwhile to have the sleeves shortened. If it could done for around $30 or less, I would probably do it. Also, can anyone recommend a tailor in the DC area for this type of work?

 

[jcusey]

Yes, having the sleeves shortened is a viable option. I'd go to a Neiman Marcus or other retailer where they sell high-end British and Italian shirts (which often come in a very restricted selection of sleeve lengths) and have them do the alteration there: they'll have plenty of experience, and it should turn out well. It should cost you about $15.

 

[TCN]

Yes, having the sleeves shortened is a viable option. I'd go to a Neiman Marcus or other retailer where they sell high-end British and Italian shirts (which often come in a very restricted selection of sleeve lengths) and have them do the alteration there: they'll have plenty of experience, and it should turn out well. It should cost you about $15.

Absolutely, go to Neimans, they have experience from having to adjust customers' RTW T&A shirts. I think the price is $10 per sleeve, and the pleats come out better than before.

Funny story; I once took a few T&A shirts to have the sleeves lengthened by a local seamstress who my mother's friends swore by (Metropolitan Tailoring in Birmingham, Michigan). The woman there first argued with me that it couldn't be done, finally conceding that it could be when I showed her the extra inch or so of material under the cuff. When I picked them up, she was actually angry over how "difficult" the work was, had not bothered to redo the pleats, and had allowed dark threads to get trapped between the material of the white cuffs . . . and on top of that, tried to charge me double what other places had done it for. What an experience and a lesson well learned.

 

[markr]

Thanks for the replies. I will head out to NM and finally start enjoying my "new" shirt.