how much can func buttonhole sleeves be extended?

[The_Foxx]

Ok, here's a question for the tailoring experts-- can a good tailor (like the custom tailor I like in Atlanta, for example) tailor sleeves of a jacket with functional buttonholes to EXTEND the length by about a quarter inch?

It's not the end of the world either way, but ideally it would be cool to lengthen the sleeves of my first "vintage item" approx 1/4 inch.

 

[antirabbit]

Depends on how much the sleeve extends past the last button hole. It could look funny even if it could be done.

 

[The_Foxx]

it is a three button sleeve-- think it could stand to be a quarter inch longer?

 

[TC11201]

At least in my experience, the distance between the first button hole and the sleeve hem varies considerably according to individual tailor - based on a random sampling of my suits / jackets, it looks like the distance varies between 7/8" and a little over 1.5". None look odd or strangely out of balance and would be unnoticeable to virtually all observers, except those with a special sleeve fetish or a measuring tape. I'd say that unless there is a considerable amount of space between the button hole and hem already (say 1.5&quot, you could comfortably lengthen the sleeve 1/4" without angering the sartorial gods.

 

[zalb916]

Originally Posted by The_Foxx

it is a three button sleeve-- think it could stand to be a quarter inch longer?



If you think it will look funny extended another quarter inch, couldn't you also add another buttonhole and button? Because it's only a three button sleeve, making it a four button would probably not make it look bad. Making a four become a five would, but three to four seems okay.

 

[The_Foxx]

Good point, Z-- but then I'd have to replace the entire set of buttons, as I don't have two spares with the suit. I'll keep that in mind, however, the tailor may suggest the same thing. In the meantime, sounds like i just might be able to get away with a quarter inch more, once I take a look and a measurement of the distance between the final button and sleeve edge (and compare with other jackets, as another poster brought up).

Thanks, guys! Really looking forward to this item, it is both my first vintage purchase and will be my only tweed-ish jacket.

 

[teddieriley]

i think in this instance, 1/4" would really be neglible. I'm sure it can be done if there is extra fabric. If the ancillary question is if it would look good, I don't see how anyone would see the difference, and yes, it would look perfectly fine.

 

[JayJay]

I've had this done and it worked out okay; but it wasn't let out much.

 

[southbound35]

When I was reading the question and saw that you mentioned there were three buttons, my first thought was the same as z's (adding another button/hole). Then, after seeing the picture, I think you could either lenghten or add button/hole to each sleeve.

 

[beansprouts1]

Just out of curiosity what jacket is that? I got a CK vintage that looks almost exactly like it with the same kinda buttons, but no working buttonholes

 

[The_Foxx]

bean--
this one is actually a suit, which i plan to wear seperately (MAYBE as a suit once in a while in the winter to church or something. not like i have a country estate to tootle around wearing this suit), from douglas hayward of savile row. all the measurements seemed to match mine perfectly, except for the quarter inch of length on the sleeves (which may work out fine as is, had I been advised against the 1/4 inch sleeve lengthening).

thanks for all the good advice, i think i will go ahead with this operation and hope for the best!