Oxxford suit sleeve shortening

[Ambulance Chaser]

I am considering bidding on an Oxxford suit on eBay.  The problem is that the sleeves are about an inch too long, and will likely need to be taken in at the shoulder.  Is there anything particular about Oxxford suits that make shortening sleeves from the shoulder a dicier proposition than using that procedure for other suits?  Thanks in advance.

 

[RIDER]

and will likely need to be taken in at the shoulder

Why would the alteration need to done at the shoulder? One inch should not be a problem.

 

[Renault78law]

Quote:

and will likely need to be taken in at the shoulder
Why would the alteration need to done at the shoulder? Â One inch should not be a problem.
maybe because the sleeves have working buttonholes? IMO, nothing about oxxford would make shortening at the shoulder particularly challenging. but keep in mind that shortening at the shoulder is very difficult task in itself, regardless of the maker. i hope you're going to someone you really trust.

 

[Mark Seitelman]

I'm a loyal Oxxford customer, and I know the product very well. If you have to shorten the sleeve from the cuff and if there are no operable buttonholes, then this should not be an unduly complicated alteration. I cannot comment on the reasons why you might need to take-off the sleeve and shorten the sleeve from the top. However, if you need to do this you need a top notch tailor who will hand-stitch the sleeve back onto the shoulder and do all of the other hand work to re-attach the linings and paddings. If your tailor uses shortcuts, it may be cheaper, but you won't have a handmade garment, and it will neither look nor feel like an Oxxford. This type of alteration can run to about $150 or more. My own personal modus operandi is not to buy RTW that requires too many alterations. Good luck.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

The suit has faux buttonholes.  (What is the point of those things anyways?)  I assume that if there is not enough excess material between the last button and the end of the sleeve, the sleeve will need to be taken in at the shoulder to preserve the buttonholes.

 

[Titus Andronicus]

I am doing almost the exact same thing. I am readying a bid on Dolce & Gabana overcoat with faux buttonholes.

The sleeves sound to be about 3 inches too long.

Can these fake buttonholes simply be unstitched? Is there a cut in the fabric.

I presume altering the sleeve length from the shoulder on a coat would cost more than for a suit coat.

If I have to go this route does anyone have any suggestions for a tailor in midtown Manhattan?

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

I assume that if there is not enough excess material between the last button and the end of the sleeve, the sleeve will need to be taken in at the shoulder to preserve the buttonholes.

Ahh . . . a search reveals what should have been patently obvious: faux buttonholes are sewn on and can be removed easily.

 

[Titus Andronicus]

Ambulance Chaser.

Thanks for the help. Now I can enter my bid.

 

[acole]

My experience so far with the faux buttonholes and freelance or store tailors (Nordstrom, e.g.) is that they just rip out the "embroidery", shorten the sleeve, and replace the buttons.  IOW, they don't re-do the fake buttonholes automatically, and no one I've gone to so far has agreed to do it when asked specifically.  Something to keep in mind, if such details are important to you.

 

[shqiptar]

A good tailor should be able to shorten the sleeve by the shoulder. I had mine done last week and the jacket looks better.

My problem with the suit jacket or blazers is that I have short shoulder bones (a lot of mediterranian men have the same body type), but I'm athletically built. When I put on a RTW jacket at the top of the sleeve a "dent" is created, and it doesn't look nice. So, this lady tailor told me she could cut a bit the edge of the shoulder (not the top of the sleeve), and re-sew the sleeve again.

Well, she did quite a good job. Also, I have found two more tailors that are willing to do this kind of alteration for a reasonable prize. Usually they'll do it for around $100. For me it's worth it, because it's the kind of alteration I'll need in the future whenever I buy a RTW suit/jacket/blazer.

One thing though, it's very difficult to find good tailors to do such extensive alterations. It takes a while to find a good one.