Tailoring a 38R to 36R - doable?

[agp]

Suitsupply's 36R is the PERFECT fit for me, but that size in other quality suits are hard to find. For those who have tailored their suits a size down, do you think it's worth it?

 

[SomethingsFishy]

Speaking as a fellow size tiny, it is highly dependent on shoulder width. If the shoulders are different widths, you're talking a recut, which is at best an extremely expensive proposition, if not altogether impossible.

If the shoulders fit, suppressing the waist is simple enough. Armholes are trickier but still workable. Sleeves are easy, unless the cuffs are functional, in which case they need to be done at the sleevehead, which is a PITA for shortening and often impossible for lengthening. Jacket length remains largely fixed, as you start to screw with pocket positioning.

So the short answer is no, you probably can't, because shoulder widths between 38 and 36 usually differ. However, if they are the same, yes, to a point, it can be done.

 

[David Reeves]

Totally possible, but expect to spend nearly as much on the alterations as the suit in the price range you are talking about.

 

[CSCoHammers7]



Totally possible, but expect to spend nearly as much on the alterations as the suit in the price range you are talking about.

I pretty much did this with one of the items listed for sale in my sig. It cost me a substantial amount to get the shoulders redone, and though the shoulders came out how I wanted them in the end, I ended up losing more weight in the body and I just decided not to throw any more money toward the jacket and suck everything in further, ultimately disproportioning the whole jacket trying to emulate what should just be the next size down. I'd recommend you not get carried away with alterations and save yourself the money, time, and potential regret.

FWIW, I had the shoulders reduced from 18" to 17.5"- a 1/4" on each side. It's not as simple as just chopping stuff off, as shoulder expression is a huge factor. You really shouldn't try to reduce a shoulder more than 1/4" on each side or at all if you don't have absolute faith in your tailor, but really the answer is just get a jacket with shoulders that fit in the first place because you don't want to risk or pay for messing around with shoulders ever.

TL;DR: Worth it? Prob not, unless you're desperate not to take a total loss on a jacket you insist on saving.