Altering Neck Size on Shirts

[adamm411]

Is it possible to get up to two additional inches in neck size on a button down shirt through an alteration? I like my shirts fitted and so I often buy them in size small. However, the neck size is typically 14 or 14.5" in small shirts. I'd like to keep the fit of a small shirt across the chest and in sleeve length but increase the size of the neck. Can a competent tailor do this or is it difficult to increase the neck size in button down shirts?

Adamm

 

[Millerp]

Originally Posted by adamm411

Is it possible to get up to two additional inches in neck size on a button down shirt through an alteration? I like my shirts fitted and so I often buy them in size small. However, the neck size is typically 14 or 14.5" in small shirts. I'd like to keep the fit of a small shirt across the chest and in sleeve length but increase the size of the neck. Can a competent tailor do this or is it difficult to increase the neck size in button down shirts?

Adamm

The existing collar can't be increased in size, but a competent shirtmaker
can replace the collar with a new one, but usually not of the same material.

It would be far easier and less expensive to buy a size medium and have the
body tapered to fit you.

 

[mack11211]

Moving the collar button may get you another half inch. Or you can use these collar extenders, which are basically buttons on loops. But it can look odd and won't get you two inches.

Better to buy larger and have them tailored down, or try custom.

 

[Shirtmaven]

buy two shirts or even three. One can be cut up for new collars.

 

[Using Technology]

I have the opposite questions and figured I'd just bump this thread:

I recently bought a shirt that fit e great and saw another on sale in the same size, tried it on quickly and loved it, then noticed later that the second shirt has an absurdly large neck. My neck is about a 17 but I have a M body, but this shirt fits my body with several extra inches left in the neck.

Anyway, no return on sale items but would a tailor be able to shrink the neck size down?? This is more of a casual button-up, so even if the tailoring looked noticible it wouldn't bother me. I just can't deal with this gigantic loose neck!

 

[just thoughts]

Check out Mike at http://www.collarreplacement.com/.

Unless you want a collar of a different color (white), you'll have a seam up the back, but he can do what you're asking. I'm using his services now.

 

[Using Technology]

yeah a seam up the back is fine with me.