Is It Possible to Narrow Trousers at the Ankles?

[Sartorially Challenged]

I have a pair of suit trousers that have what I think are very wide at the ankles.

Is it possible for a tailor to narrow them? Is this a complex job or something simple like reducing waist or shortening jacket sleeve?

And while we are at it, what is generally agreed as the norm for the break?

 

[Jovan]

I'm not sure, I've never done it.

As for break, it varies so much that there's hardly a "norm." If anything it's too much... so many people walk around with their pants a baggy mess at their heels. Go with what you like. It's as much a personal preference as a ticket pocket. I myself like no break at all.

 

[Tomasso]

Tapering trousers is no problem for a competent tailor. IMO, narrow bottoms look best with no break but it's a matter of personal preference.

 

[luk-cha]

ditto too it is a peice of cake for dress pants just trusting some1 to do it is not!

 

[tiecollector]

With a credit card and a good tailor, anything is possible.

I personally prefer no break as well. For springwear, even having the pants a tiny bit too short if I'm feeling saucy.

 

[luk-cha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiecollector
With a credit card and a good tailor, anything is possible.

I personally prefer no break as well. For springwear, even having the pants a tiny bit too short if I'm feeling saucy.

easy tiger!

 

[Vintage Gent]

Back in my quasi-mod days, I had a local seamstress alter a pair of wide trousers into a very narrow taper. The results were quite satisfactory.

 

[Jovan]

Originally Posted by tiecollector

With a credit card and a good tailor, anything is possible. I personally prefer no break as well. For springwear, even having the pants a tiny bit too short if I'm feeling saucy.
I'm probably going to hem a few of my trousers that short as well. Very useful for hot weather, especially since I live in Florida.

 

[Carey]

if you go too narrow from the knee down, you will end up looking like a bowling pin. What is the drop as measured accross the width of the trouser at the knee and then at the hem? (Lay your trousers folded so the back and front creases make the left and right edges of the pant leg to be measured, then place them on a flat surface.)

A normal drop from knee to hem is about 1.5" for a more modern style of flat front trousers. I just measured a pair of MTM Samuelsohn odd trousers and a pair of RTW Ermengildo Zegna's. Both fit very differently, yet each has an inch-and-a-half drop.

I would suggest evaluating how your trousers fit you ********** and crotch. If they are full fitting, then narrowing may make them out of proportion. You could have them complete taken apart and remade, but is it really worth it? I bet you would be better served by purchasing a new pair. This is not a typical or easy alteration.

You can't make chicken salad out of chicken-shite.