Brooks Bros suit size question

[Doremus J.]

I went to Brooks Bros to get a suit. I've been measured between a 40R and 41R depending on my weight, but right now I'm the lightest I've been in 6 years, so I assumed the 40R would fit (especially since I can fit into my 40R suits from a decade ago).

I initially tried on a 40R -- the shoulders fit perfect and the salesman noted so. But when I tried on the pants, they needed to be let out about 1.75 inches, so the salesman and tailor spent a lot of time convincing me to go to a 41R.

Long story short -- I bought the 41R, the next day I talked to a different BB rep who told me I should wear a 40R, I reported this to this guy who sold me the suit, asked him to get me a 40R instead, but he insisted I'm a 41R.

Question -- how much can you alter the shoulders? Can a 41R shoulder turn into a 40R? I've lost 35 pounds and will lose more, so I'd rather not have a big shoulder on my suit in the future.

 

[dasai]

If you're going to be losing more weight, now is not the time to be getting a suit.

That said, it is usually much easier to alter the trouser waistband than to go mucking about with the shoulders on the jacket. Sounds like the first sales rep didn't want to bother with alterations.