• Hi, I am the owner and main administrator of Styleforum. If you find the forum useful and fun, please help support it by buying through the posted links on the forum. Our main, very popular sales thread, where the latest and best sales are listed, are posted HERE

    Purchases made through some of our links earns a commission for the forum and allows us to do the work of maintaining and improving it. Finally, thanks for being a part of this community. We realize that there are many choices today on the internet, and we have all of you to thank for making Styleforum the foremost destination for discussions of menswear.
  • This site contains affiliate links for which Styleforum may be compensated.
  • No Man Walks Alone one of our oldest sponsors owned and operated by one of the most discerning buyers I know, is right now offering up to 50% off on their winter sale. Browse their extensive selection of mesnwear, shoes and accessories, and get something truly special, like this special collaboration Western style shirt by G. Inglese in a rich, thick, and luxe brown cotton moleskin, with subtly contasting yellow snaps

  • STYLE. COMMUNITY. GREAT CLOTHING.

    Bored of counting likes on social networks? At Styleforum, you’ll find rousing discussions that go beyond strings of emojis.

    Click Here to join Styleforum's thousands of style enthusiasts today!

    Styleforum is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

Basic trouser altering question

radio3

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2013
Messages
135
Reaction score
4
I seem to fall right between 46 and 48 (EU/Italy) sizing in trousers, which is annoying since I can't just buy trousers and have them look right. I've typically hunted down size 31 (inch) chinos as a workaround, but they're hard to find and the selection is poor.

I'm thinking of starting to buy 48s and having them "taken in" instead. Can anyone tell me whether or not this is likely to be a preferable strategy? I once had the waist taken in on some chinos before and was unsatisfied with the result, which was the same as if I had just started wearing a belt all the time.

Is it very complicated to turn a size 48 trouser into a size "47"? How do they make the seat correctly proportioned (i.e., no diaper butt)? I would think it would require completely disassembling the entire trouser, therefore being expensive.

Any advice on whether or not routinely buying trousers that you know are a bit too big and hoping a tailor will be able to make them "just right" without extravagant expense would be greatly appreciated. I'm new to trying to dress well.
 

once a day

Senior Member
Affiliate Vendor
Joined
Dec 7, 2016
Messages
340
Reaction score
363
I seem to fall right between 46 and 48 (EU/Italy) sizing in trousers, which is annoying since I can't just buy trousers and have them look right. I've typically hunted down size 31 (inch) chinos as a workaround, but they're hard to find and the selection is poor.

I'm thinking of starting to buy 48s and having them "taken in" instead. Can anyone tell me whether or not this is likely to be a preferable strategy? I once had the waist taken in on some chinos before and was unsatisfied with the result, which was the same as if I had just started wearing a belt all the time.

Is it very complicated to turn a size 48 trouser into a size "47"? How do they make the seat correctly proportioned (i.e., no diaper butt)? I would think it would require completely disassembling the entire trouser, therefore being expensive.

Any advice on whether or not routinely buying trousers that you know are a bit too big and hoping a tailor will be able to make them "just right" without extravagant expense would be greatly appreciated. I'm new to trying to dress well.

Shameless plug coming right up, but have you ever tried made to measure options?
 

radio3

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2013
Messages
135
Reaction score
4
Shameless plug coming right up, but have you ever tried made to measure options?

I do shirts made to measure and would do a suit that way too, but assumed chinos are more complicated. Wouldn't I want to go with some kind of company that specializes in chinos and/or trousers in general? There are so many materials and, unless I'm mistaken, specialized treatments (at lest with typical Incotex chinos, it seems to me).
 

madhat

Stylish Dinosaur
Joined
Jan 17, 2017
Messages
14,418
Reaction score
47,169
I seem to fall right between 46 and 48 (EU/Italy) sizing in trousers, which is annoying since I can't just buy trousers and have them look right. I've typically hunted down size 31 (inch) chinos as a workaround, but they're hard to find and the selection is poor.

I'm thinking of starting to buy 48s and having them "taken in" instead. Can anyone tell me whether or not this is likely to be a preferable strategy? I once had the waist taken in on some chinos before and was unsatisfied with the result, which was the same as if I had just started wearing a belt all the time.

Is it very complicated to turn a size 48 trouser into a size "47"? How do they make the seat correctly proportioned (i.e., no diaper butt)? I would think it would require completely disassembling the entire trouser, therefore being expensive.

Any advice on whether or not routinely buying trousers that you know are a bit too big and hoping a tailor will be able to make them "just right" without extravagant expense would be greatly appreciated. I'm new to trying to dress well.
Taking in the seat and waist is pretty easy. If you want the whole leg tapered as well, that'll take more time obviously. Just find a recommended tailor in your area and get a quote. Shouldn't be bad at all.
 

once a day

Senior Member
Affiliate Vendor
Joined
Dec 7, 2016
Messages
340
Reaction score
363
I do shirts made to measure and would do a suit that way too, but assumed chinos are more complicated. Wouldn't I want to go with some kind of company that specializes in chinos and/or trousers in general? There are so many materials and, unless I'm mistaken, specialized treatments (at lest with typical Incotex chinos, it seems to me).

There are certainly a few options available. We're starting with Denim soon, sourcing the MTM denim from Japan. The rise cannot be changed on these, but the width can certainly be adjusted at a trusted tailor. To taper them shouldn't be too difficult either. Best of luck!
 

radio3

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2013
Messages
135
Reaction score
4
There are certainly a few options available. We're starting with Denim soon, sourcing the MTM denim from Japan. The rise cannot be changed on these, but the width can certainly be adjusted at a trusted tailor. To taper them shouldn't be too difficult either. Best of luck!

I am also interested in denim. Can you say what the ballpark prices will be and when you expect to start the offering?
 

once a day

Senior Member
Affiliate Vendor
Joined
Dec 7, 2016
Messages
340
Reaction score
363
I am also interested in denim. Can you say what the ballpark prices will be and when you expect to start the offering?

Great - Retail price will be around USD 280-300 for the handmade Japanese denim, which is a great original retail price for handmade jeans. We'll start with a 12oz selvedge denim fabric, in black and blue. The fabric is fantastic and has a bit of stretch in it. We need some folks for the first test run, and will be offering 5 people to join at 20% discount. DM us if you're interested. We just sent out the first batch to Sweden. Since it is made to order, it'll take around 30 days.

process:
  1. Select waist (eg 31")
  2. Customize length
  3. Select Leg Hem width (to taper)
  4. Select color (blue/black)
  5. Select rivets/buttons (three choices)
  6. Select pocket (three choices)
  7. Select inside pocket (two choices)

Cheers,
Karin
 

radio3

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2013
Messages
135
Reaction score
4
Great - Retail price will be around USD 280-300 for the handmade Japanese denim, which is a great original retail price for handmade jeans. We'll start with a 12oz selvedge denim fabric, in black and blue. The fabric is fantastic and has a bit of stretch in it. We need some folks for the first test run, and will be offering 5 people to join at 20% discount. DM us if you're interested. We just sent out the first batch to Sweden. Since it is made to order, it'll take around 30 days.

process:
  1. Select waist (eg 31")
  2. Customize length
  3. Select Leg Hem width (to taper)
  4. Select color (blue/black)
  5. Select rivets/buttons (three choices)
  6. Select pocket (three choices)
  7. Select inside pocket (two choices)

Cheers,
Karin

I would like to pick rise and thigh width as well. Will those not be available? Overall, my ideal size is 31.75"W, 10" front rise, 11.25" Thigh, and 6.9" leg opening, in case that is relevant.
 

once a day

Senior Member
Affiliate Vendor
Joined
Dec 7, 2016
Messages
340
Reaction score
363
Excellent - let me PM you and I'll share some more information about our options. Any ideas on the back rise?
 

highfalutin

Senior Member
Joined
May 5, 2010
Messages
167
Reaction score
2
When is the best time in the lifecycle of a pair of chinos to have the waist taken in? Should it happen when it's brand new or after repeatedly wearing and washing?

I have several (new with tags) chinos from Hartford in France that are slightly too big for me. I want to get them altered but am not sure if I should wait until I have worn them.
 

breakaway01

Distinguished Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2013
Messages
4,612
Reaction score
4,927
When is the best time in the lifecycle of a pair of chinos to have the waist taken in? Should it happen when it's brand new or after repeatedly wearing and washing?

I have several (new with tags) chinos from Hartford in France that are slightly too big for me. I want to get them altered but am not sure if I should wait until I have worn them.

If these are machine-washable and you plan to launder them at home, I'd wash them a couple of times first before altering in case there is any further fabric shrinkage.
 

Featured Sponsor

How do you prefer trousers to be finished?

  • Plain hem

  • Cuffed (1.5 inches or less)

  • Cuffed (more than 1.5 inches)

  • No preference, as long as the proportions work


Results are only viewable after voting.

Staff online

Forum statistics

Threads
522,952
Messages
10,745,824
Members
229,691
Latest member
MichaelFAL
Top