Recutting lapels on sport coat

[jaygee]

Has anyone had any experience in narrowing the lapels of a jacket. I'm trying to bring a solid Navy sport coat more "up to date" by slimming down the lapels. Is this at all possible/practical? I realize the buttonhole limits how much can be trimmed. Does this throw off the "balance" of the collar? I know, I know I should be springing for a new coat but.....

BTW I have access to real tailors and not just some seamstress attached to a dry cleaner.

 

[NewYorkIslander]

Originally Posted by jaygee

Has anyone had any experience in narrowing the lapels of a jacket. I'm trying to bring a solid Navy sport coat more "up to date" by slimming down the lapels. Is this at all possible/practical? I realize the buttonhole limits how much can be trimmed. Does this throw off the "balance" of the collar? I know, I know I should be springing for a new coat but.....

BTW I have access to real tailors and not just some seamstress attached to a dry cleaner.

Ercoles did it for me on a thrifted seersucker jacket...but there was no buttonhole...that can complicate things.

 

[amplifiedheat]

What kind of reduction are you thinking of?

 

[jaygee]

Originally Posted by amplifiedheat

What kind of reduction are you thinking of?

The jacket has lapels that are about 4.25" at their widest. To my eye it looks like they could be reduced by 1/2"-5/8" while still leaving a similar amount for the buttonhole. Although those numbers are best left to the tailor. I was just wondering if anyone had tried doing this and, if so, what was the outcome like?

 

[landshark]

I asked my tailor about it for one of my jackets. It has a 4" lapel. He said that he's done it before but we haven't talked price yet.