Tailoring one size down

[GoAussieGo]

I'm usually a 38S but I saw a nice 40S online - it seems that the difference in dimensions primarily is an inch on the chest. Is this an easy area to tailor down to something close to a 38S?

Thanks

 

[dclloyd]

Originally Posted by GoAussieGo

I'm usually a 38S but I saw a nice 40S online - it seems that the difference in dimensions primarily is an inch on the chest. Is this an easy area to tailor down to something close to a 38S?

Thanks

It depends on both you and the suit. If the shoulders are too wide and need to be cut it's probably not going to be worth it, and the results can often be disappointing.
I've brought a few 40R suits down to a 38R and they don't fit as well as my actual 38R's. Probably worth it for me as I already owned them, but I wouldn't consider buying a 40R personally.

 

[jefferyd]

Have a read through this http://www.styleforum.net/showpost.p...3&postcount=21

 

[GoAussieGo]

Originally Posted by jefferyd

Have a read through this

http://www.styleforum.net/showpost.p...3&postcount=21

Perfect - that pretty much answers the question, thanks.

What about a waist coat thats an inch too tight?

 

[Journeyman]

Originally Posted by GoAussieGo

What about a waist coat thats an inch too tight?

Unless a waistcoat has already been let out, it shouldn't be a problem to adjust it a little.

I second the above comments on suit alterations - chest, side suppression, length of the sleeves and jacket are all fairly simple and common jobs.

The key, however, is the shoulder width.
If the shoulders are too wide for you, the suit won't look that great, and it is a much more difficult job to alter shoulder width correctly than it is to do any of the other alterations mentioned above.

 

[GoAussieGo]

Originally Posted by dclloyd

It depends on both you and the suit. If the shoulders are too wide and need to be cut it's probably not going to be worth it, and the results can often be disappointing.
I've brought a few 40R suits down to a 38R and they don't fit as well as my actual 38R's. Probably worth it for me as I already owned them, but I wouldn't consider buying a 40R personally.

Originally Posted by Journeyman

Unless a waistcoat has already been let out, it shouldn't be a problem to adjust it a little.

I second the above comments on suit alterations - chest, side suppression, length of the sleeves and jacket are all fairly simple and common jobs.

The key, however, is the shoulder width.
If the shoulders are too wide for you, the suit won't look that great, and it is a much more difficult job to alter shoulder width correctly than it is to do any of the other alterations mentioned above.

Agree with both of you that shoulders are key. So is altering the LENGTH of a jacket is pretty common - i.e., I could buy a 38R and alter it effectively into a 38S without any problems?

 

[sl33p3rs]

and as long as your comfortable enough to move around your arms that should be good.

 

[dclloyd]

Originally Posted by GoAussieGo

Agree with both of you that shoulders are key. So is altering the LENGTH of a jacket is pretty common - i.e., I could buy a 38R and alter it effectively into a 38S without any problems?

Depends on how much ... shorten it too much and the pockets will be too low, not much a tailor can do about that.

 

[Nicola]

Originally Posted by Journeyman

.

I second the above comments on suit alterations - chest, side suppression, length of the sleeves and jacket are all fairly simple and common jobs.

.

I normally have to go bigger for my shoulders ignoring the chest measurement. Last jacket I bought was Italian size 52. My chest is about 39". The jacket is snug in the shoulders. Is it worth it having the rest of the jacket tightened? I need the sleeves shortened a touch but 52 jackets are mostly cut for people with bigger waists then mine.