sleeve vents

[jase12]

hi guys, long time reader first time poster here.

I just bought a new suit, but the sleeves are a bit too long for me. I have taken it to a local tailor and he has said that the wont be able to keep the sleeve vents when he takes the sleeves up. I offered to pay extra if keeping the vents created more work but he insisted that it wasn't possible. Is he correct or should I be looking for a new tailor??

Your help is much appreciated!

 

[appolyon]

I believe he is correct. The overlap of the material (on jackets where the buttons work or have the potential to work) only runs for the length of the buttons and doesn't run all the way up the sleeve.

It is a bit suprising that the sleeves need to be taken up that much though. Maybe you should look at getting a short size next time.

 

[calvinloke]

is that working buttonhole sleeve? My tailor said he couldn't take the sleeves up as well but I reckon he can take in from the shoulders.

 

[Master-Classter]

Related question, when you shorten the sleeves (let's say 1 inch) and it looks like the buttons are getting a little too close to the edge (ie it's obvious the sleeves have been shortened) and let's assume they're non-functioning buttons,
do you just leave them as is or move them all up? or just move the 1st to above the 4th button?

 

[appolyon]

Originally Posted by calvinloke

is that working buttonhole sleeve? My tailor said he couldn't take the sleeves up as well but I reckon he can take in from the shoulders.

Taking sleeves up from the shoulder is probably the most hated alteration among tailors. It is a very delicate alteration with much potential for things to go wrong, and as a result those tailors that are willing to do it charge a premium for it

 

[appolyon]

Originally Posted by Master-Classter

Related question, when you shorten the sleeves (let's say 1 inch) and it looks like the buttons are getting a little too close to the edge (ie it's obvious the sleeves have been shortened) and let's assume they're non-functioning buttons,
do you just leave them as is or move them all up? or just move the 1st to above the 4th button?

Typically they will just move the first to the fourth position

 

[jase12]

Originally Posted by appolyon

I believe he is correct. The overlap of the material (on jackets where the buttons work or have the potential to work) only runs for the length of the buttons and doesn't run all the way up the sleeve.

It is a bit suprising that the sleeves need to be taken up that much though. Maybe you should look at getting a short size next time.

yes unfortunately they didn't have a short version of the suit and i fell in love with it. do you think it is a tacky look to have the buttons on the sleeve with no vents or fake button holes?

 

[appolyon]

Originally Posted by jase12

yes unfortunately they didn't have a short version of the suit and i fell in love with it. do you think it is a tacky look to have the buttons on the sleeve with no vents or fake button holes?

I think it comes down to how much you care about these things. I personally like having cuffs with working button holes. I would also say that if the buttons were not working, you would at least want to have the vent as I think it looks nicer.

 

[jase12]

thanks very much for your help appolyon

 

[appolyon]

No problems. What do you think you are going to end up doing?

 

[rjmaiorano]

Originally Posted by jase12

yes unfortunately they didn't have a short version of the suit and i fell in love with it. do you think it is a tacky look to have the buttons on the sleeve with no vents or fake button holes?

I have a coat with sleeves like that and I requested as such. Partly cause I was lazy, and partly cause I thought it would look clean. It did and I am happy with it, granted it is on a velvet smoking jacket...

 

[vitaminc]

related question, is it possible to convert non functional sleeves to functional sleeves?

 

[appolyon]

Originally Posted by vitaminc

related question, is it possible to convert non functional sleeves to functional sleeves?

Yes but only if you have that overlap of material, sorry the technical term escapes me at the moment. What a tailor can do is remove the stitching around the faux buttonholes (if there is any) and then make functional buttonholes.

 

[rjmaiorano]

Originally Posted by vitaminc

related question, is it possible to convert non functional sleeves to functional sleeves?

Yes, what Appolyon said, although it requires a machine that not all tailors have.

IMO it is an alteration that is not worth the money, it can be a bit pricey.

 

[appolyon]

Originally Posted by rjmaiorano

Yes, what Appolyon said, although it requires a machine that not all tailors have.

Really? I always thought this was done by hand. I'll confirm and get back with an answer.