Opinions on what to alter / fit check?

[JimmyJunior]

Recently bought a vintage slouchy Hugo Boss suit from the 80s or 90s, it's a size big on me but I was wondering on what people think I should alter or if it's just too big. I've recently gotten into the 80s slouchy fits and I have an 80s single-breasted Armani suit that I love, and the Hugo Boss has nearly the same measurements but for some reason looks like a tent on me.

Other than getting the hems lowered and sleeves shortened, I'm thinking of seeing if the chest can be taken in and potentially taking out the shoulder pads and changing the buttons to black. What else do people think I should do, and is this salvageable? Thankfully it is returnable.

 

[notdos]

In my opinion, not fixable.

Phillip

 

[breakaway01]

You're not going to be able to alter this to a "classic" tailored look that you'd wear to a job interview or to court -- on the other hand I like the slouchiness. I think it'd work more casually. You could see how it looks after pinning some fabric out of the side seams - if you like how it looks after pinning, you could have the jacket taken in. Don't take the shoulder pads out, or at least talk to a tailor who really knows what they're doing. Besides, I think the shoulder expression is an inherent and important part of the overall look.

You might try looking/asking here since most people in this part of the forum are "classic menswear" oriented.

 

[TheIronDandy]

What @breakaway01 said. Don't try to have a tailor alter a suit to be something it's not: you'll end up spending more than the suit is worth, only to most likely ruin it. The colour itself means that it will never be a "business suit" in the classic sense. You might be able to take it in a little bit, but too much will mess up the balance.

Instead, just lean into the look if you like it. Look at some of those Armani 90s looks, they are definitely oversized, not just loose. You're fairly young-looking, which means you can get away with more alternative looks. If someone in the 50s wears that look, it looks like they bought one suit in the 90s and are still wearing it, if someone younger wears it it looks like they bought a cool vintage piece.

 

[4BossSuits]

Joined today to find some advice on what to do with my four Boss suits I purchased in the 1990s and found this timely post by Jimmy Junior. His suit images looks very familiar, especially the pants, which like mine are quite full and hemmed. I've not worn them in over 25 years however they are still in excellent condition (special hangers and bagged). Could use some tailoring -- in the waist a bit, and those shoulder pads look oddly strange now. Believe I paid about $900 for each. Would like them to be salvageable but maybe time to go?

 

[RobertSoren]

Joined today to find some advice on what to do with my four Boss suits I purchased in the 1990s and found this timely post by Jimmy Junior. His suit images looks very familiar, especially the pants, which like mine are quite full and hemmed. I've not worn them in over 25 years however they are still in excellent condition (special hangers and bagged). Could use some tailoring -- in the waist a bit, and those shoulder pads look oddly strange now. Believe I paid about $900 for each. Would like them to be salvageable but maybe time to go?

Can you post 4 fit pics, just like Jimmy Junior? This will help answer the question.

Here this post is loaded with inspiration:
https://www.permanentstyle.com/2021/07/how-relevant-is-80s-armani.html

 

[4BossSuits]

Can you post 4 fit pics, just like Jimmy Junior? This will help answer the question.

Here this post is loaded with inspiration:
https://www.permanentstyle.com/2021/07/how-relevant-is-80s-armani.html

Good idea. I'll get to it this weekend.

 

[JimmyJunior]

What @breakaway01 said. Don't try to have a tailor alter a suit to be something it's not: you'll end up spending more than the suit is worth, only to most likely ruin it. The colour itself means that it will never be a "business suit" in the classic sense. You might be able to take it in a little bit, but too much will mess up the balance.

Instead, just lean into the look if you like it. Look at some of those Armani 90s looks, they are definitely oversized, not just loose. You're fairly young-looking, which means you can get away with more alternative looks. If someone in the 50s wears that look, it looks like they bought one suit in the 90s and are still wearing it, if someone younger wears it it looks like they bought a cool vintage piece.

Definitely agree with your and @breakaway01 are saying, unfortunately, the shoulders are about 2 inches too wide and the chest is about 4 inches too large in circumference. I think it's too big to modify to what I want. It's moved beyond oversized 90s and into the "I got passed down my dad's suit" territory. I have a slouchy 80s / 90s Armani suit that I wear often for work, but that one drapes in a way that this Boss one doesn't and just feels boxy. I thought that maybe it was the over-padded shoulders that was causing the boxy look, but I think it's just how it was cut.

 

[4BossSuits]

Only 3 to show. Double breasted is at different locale. The middle suit is a Reda style. Size is 42, waist 31/32. Wife says they don't fit well and stylistically not in style. I'm almost 25 lbs lighter now than when I bought these due to more upper body bulk. Looking at resell and see $ little value. Thanks for the feedback.