Dry clean before alteration?

[ClaretandBlue]

I purchased a jacket from someone that's going to need a bit of alteration. It was sent in the mail, and as one would expect, arrived rather wrinkled. I was going to bring this in to be altered, but should it be dry cleaned, or at least pressed (can you press a jacket?) first, to get the wrinkles out? Part of me thinks I should, and part of me thinks it's a bit over the top.. What say you?

 

[dv3]

I ordered a suit online and had it pressed, I am meeting the tailor on Saturday. Seemed like the logical thing to do.

 

[Despos]

Don't bother, just go to the tailor, ask him to press as part of the work to be done.

 

[bigbris1]

Or...just ask for the work and I'm sure he'll press it.

 

[dv3]

The suit I ordered seemed wrinkled to the extent that I wasn't fully confident it layed well enough for accurate alterations without a press. I think the OP is in a similar situation.

Plus, we are talking like $10 to feel confident about altering a suit that costs perhaps 100x+ more.

 

[IBJanky]

No need. Dry clean AFTER alterrations.

myke

 

[ClaretandBlue]

Originally Posted by dv3

The suit I ordered seemed wrinkled to the extent that I wasn't fully confident it layed well enough for accurate alterations without a press. I think the OP is in a similar situation.

Plus, we are talking like $10 to feel confident about altering a suit that costs perhaps 100x+ more.

Yeah, that was my main concern, was with the wrinkles the alteration wouldn't be accurate, or the tailor would just look at me like I was crazy and tell me to have the wrinkles taken care of first.

Guess it doesn't hurt to just bring it over and see what they say.

 

[Mild Mannered]

Personally I would have it pressed beforeand. Imagine you are the tailor and someone brings a garment to you for alterations that looks like a rumpled dish rag. That customer demonstrates they don't take their clothing very seriously. How serious a job would you do then if you were that tailor?
If the wrinkles are in the same area you wish to have altered, then do both of you a courtesy and have it pressed before. A pressed garment goes to the tailor, and whatever work he does on it, will be easier to examine than if the work was done on a wrinkled garment. That's what I do anyway.

 

[Despos]

If you came to my shop and explained you had just received a jacket that was shipped to you and it is wrinkled I would think " no big!" It may need a touch up and I would do that before fitting it.
If it needs dry cleaning for a reason other than pressing, do it first. Tailor is more offended by a soiled garment than a wrinkled garment.

 

[ClaretandBlue]

Thanks guys! Seeing as how it is second hand, it's probably prudent to have it dry cleaned first. I think there's about 10 dry cleaners within walking distance of my office, so it shouldn't be too much of a hassle.