Can a 40R be made into a 38R?

[lemonbishop]

Hello,

Of course I mean, successfully, and I assume in the hands of a capable tailor. I also would not expect it to be cheap, but just how much would such a thing cost, if it is possible/advisable?

I occasionally see some great deals on 40R jackets, even accounting for some extra tailoring to bring it down to my size, so I am curious to know if this type of thing would work, or if I should just stay away.

Thanks

 

[JayJay]

Based on my own previous experiences I'd advise against this, especially if a 38 fits you well.

 

[jsherman02]

Originally Posted by lemonbishop

Hello,

Of course I mean, successfully, and I assume in the hands of a capable tailor. I also would not expect it to be cheap, but just how much would such a thing cost, if it is possible/advisable?

I occasionally see some great deals on 40R jackets, even accounting for some extra tailoring to bring it down to my size, so I am curious to know if this type of thing would work, or if I should just stay away.

Thanks

It can be done....without any question. The cost may and usually will outweigh any savings.

 

[Huntsman]

This is called 'recutting' a suit -- because it is disassembled and the pattern recut before it is resown. It's not something an 'alterations tailor' can always be expected to do, you need an experienced tailor who is capable of cutting a bespoke garment from scratch, and, if you like the style of the current suit, one who understands that style and can emulate it. In such a craftsman's hands, yes, this can certainly be done, and executed extremely well.

Assume $250 for the suit coat alone, the trousers typically a little less. I recently had this done on a RLPL white dinner jacket that was a 42r (I'm a 39r), and it came out even better than it was originally, as the tailor was able to tweak it more closely to my body and taste.

~ H

 

[randallr]

assuming the should measurements are good it can cost you about $25. I have had a jacket done like this.

 

[JFKJean]

Originally Posted by Huntsman

This is called 'recutting' a suit -- because it is disassembled and the pattern recut before it is resown. It's not something an 'alterations tailor' can always be expected to do, you need an experienced tailor who is capable of cutting a bespoke garment from scratch, and, if you like the style of the current suit, one who understands that style and can emulate it. In such a craftsman's hands, yes, this can certainly be done, and executed extremely well.

Assume $250 for the suit coat alone, the trousers typically a little less. I recently had this done on a RLPL white dinner jacket that was a 42r (I'm a 39r), and it came out even better than it was originally, as the tailor was able to tweak it more closely to my body and taste.

~ H

Originally Posted by randallr

assuming the should measurements are good it can cost you about $25. I have had a jacket done like this.



Either one of you guys are really right or really wrong....my gut tells me this kind of alteration is nowhere near $25

 

[JTA]

In my experience, provided the shoulders fit you well then there is not much alteration to be made (at the waist, sleeve and probably length for the jacket while waist and length for the trousers).
Shoulder and chest are expensive.

 

[Huntsman]

Originally Posted by JFKJean

Either one of you guys are really right or really wrong....my gut tells me this kind of alteration is nowhere near $25
Like life, it's probably in a spectrum between -- it all depends on how much needs to be done, Maybe you're a big 38, and the suit is a small 40, in which case it might merely be an alteration, in which case, I'd believe < $50. If it goes the other way, then you'll need a recutting, in which case it won't be cheap. ~ H

 

[alliswell]

Flormont Tailors on Union Square in Manhattan will take shoulders in for $70, and take the chest and waist in while the sleeves are off for another $30. So yes, it's possible, and yes, it's more than $50.

 

[Azure]

I have reduced my old european 52 into slim 48.

Only a taylor woman that I know is able to do that clean. about 120 euros jacket only

 

[Captain.Kia]

Not to hijack, but can a 40R be made into a 40S? (Shortening of the jacket mainly).

 

[alliswell]

Yes, though the pockets will be closer to the end of the coat, obviously, and that may look odd.

 

[lemonbishop]

Thanks to all the responders. If you had had a situation where it was a pretty close fit, or the shoulders fit, it seems quite reasonable to bring the rest in line, original size numbers not being an issue.

My question is about a more major job like Huntsman has described. I was curious to know if, in the right hands, and for more than a nominal cost, it was possible to get a coat that was a full size too large to fit and look proper, or would one be almost destined to end up with a Frankenstein monster, even if one paid plenty for the work. Or, if such a thing worked, it would still not be worth doing because the cost would be too great to be worthwhile. It sounds like the situation Huntsman described exactly, and it sounds like this type of thing works fine, as long the tailor is a quality tailor and one is willing to commit to a fee in the range of $250 (not to limit it to this, but to indicate that it is clearly not in the typical minor alteration fee schedule).

This is good to know, as there are things I have passed on while thinking it may just come out all wrong, which would have been great deals, even including the extra fees for recutting.



Thanks especially to Huntsman.

 

[Huntsman]

Originally Posted by lemonbishop

This is good to know, as there are things I have passed on while thinking it may just come out all wrong, which would have been great deals, even including the extra fees for recutting.
My pleasure -- this is what we are here for. Your situation above is exactly the type of thing a recut is good for -- my DJ is a case in point. The tag had a retail price of $1800, which I could never touch. Somehow, I picked it up for $103, and put $240 and change into the recut. Even though the $343 is a little steep for me for a jacket, it let me get a garment I otherwise would never have had. Good tailors FTW! ~ H

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

going a full size might be pushing it, most of my larger 38's that i had trimmed down to fit me, dont fit me as well as the ones i had just bought OTR.