NY or Philly tailor for a difficult alteration

[Stu]

I am going be spending significant time over the rest of the year in New Jersey, about halfway between NYC and Philly. I have a difficult alteration and need recs for a tailor. I have this beautiful RLPL linen tan blazer that I stole off of Ebay, NWT for about $300.

It is about an inch too long which I knew when I bought it, but could not pass it up at that price. At any rate, someone on here (Manton?) once said jacket length can be altered from the collar, it is difficult but can be done and takes a skilled tailor.

Does anyone know a tailor in Philly or NY that could handle this sort of thing?

 

[Taxler]

I'd look for a suit maker rather than an alteration tailor.

 

[Manton]

I don't think I was the one who said that. I'm trying to imagine how it might work, and I see a lot of problems. Everything would get pulled up -- the breast pocket, the lower pockets, the vent(s), the buttons, etc. More troubling, the shape of the chest and back would be thrown completely out of whack. I'd be interested to know if any tailor has ever done this, or even thinks it's possible to do well.

Why not just shorten from the bottom? At least there, the only real danger is that the pockets will end up looking too close to the bottom edge. Small time worry compared to all the dangers of the other approach.

 

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Manton

I don't think I was the one who said that. I'm trying to imagine how it might work, and I see a lot of problems. Everything would get pulled up -- the breast pocket, the lower pockets, the vent(s), the buttons, etc. More troubling, the shape of the chest and back would be thrown completely out of whack. I'd be interested to know if any tailor has ever done this, or even thinks it's possible to do well.

Why not just shorten from the bottom? At least there, the only real danger is that the pockets will end up looking too close to the bottom edge. Small time worry compared to all the dangers of the other approach.


I've done it before and it is problematic in that tailors I've used have problems with the double vents. They end up too short. I suppose I could do that if I only go a half-inch or so.

 

[Despos]

Shortening a jacket from the top can be done when the jacket is in the try on stage but not recommended on a finished jacket.
It would require removing the collar and sleeves, lowering the gorge and armholes, remaking the shoulder. As the cost goes, you would have been better off to pay full retail for you proper size than to buy the jacket and have it altered.
Just shorten it at the bottom. The vents will be 1" shorter. That is the compromise you make when you know the jacket is too long when you bought it.