The Tailor and the Sweater

[kfitzpatrick]

So I have a couple of very light sweaters from Banana Republic which I just got and I really like them.

http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse...103&pid=416549

They're light enough to wear under a sport jacket if the temperature is not at its highest and a great alternative to a t-shirt. However, being a man with slightly short arms (5'7" and a lot of torso) I'm constantly annoyed at how long the sleeves are especially if I've already been wearing it for a few hours.

However, the problem is, it's a knitted sweater. Is there anyway at all to have a tailor take up the cuffs? It's certainly not thick but I'm not even sure it's possible to do that with a sweater.

-Kevin

PS: If anyone knows a top notch tailor for alterations and/or a dry cleaner in Center City Philadelphia I would really appreciate any info as I am moving downtown to Old City in October.

 

[lawyerdad]

Originally Posted by kfitzpatrick

So I have a couple of very light sweaters from Banana Republic which I just got and I really like them.

http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse...103&pid=416549

They're light enough to wear under a sport jacket if the temperature is not at its highest and a great alternative to a t-shirt. However, being a man with slightly short arms (5'7" and a lot of torso) I'm constantly annoyed at how long the sleeves are especially if I've already been wearing it for a few hours.

However, the problem is, it's a knitted sweater. Is there anyway at all to have a tailor take up the cuffs? It's certainly not thick but I'm not even sure it's possible to do that with a sweater.

-Kevin

PS: If anyone knows a top notch tailor for alterations and/or a dry cleaner in Center City Philadelphia I would really appreciate any info as I am moving downtown to Old City in October.
I'd think that you'd probably want a weaver, not a tailor.

 

[j]

A reweaver can do that for you. Some will take them in mail order, you just mark or tape where you want the cuff to end and send it in.

http://www.styleforum.net/showthread...ight=reweaving

Welcome to the forum, BTW.

 

[Tomasso]

Originally Posted by lawyerdad

I'd think that you'd probably want a weaver, not a tailor.
Yes, tailors don't really want to deal with knits.

 

[kfitzpatrick]

Welcome to the forum, BTW.

Thanks!

A "reweaver" wow, I had no idea such a thing even existed. I've done some minor tailoring for myself in the past I know I'd never want to go near a knit item. Thanks, I'll look one up.

-Kevin

 

[chorse123]

This might be expensive, though. On the few sweaters I have that are too long in the sleeves for me, I just fold back the cuff.

 

[stach]

Put the sleeves only in warm water, then dip the whole sweater in cool water. Dry flat on a towel.

 

[kfitzpatrick]

Really? Deliberately shrinking it seems a little scary. It's a blend (85% Silk, 15% Cashmere), I'm just a little wary of doing that but it certainly in theory would work.

What does everybody think of this idea?

 

[j]

I'd do it on a wool sweater, but I don't think I'd try it on silk or a blend like that.

 

[Joffrey]

I've deliberately shrunk sweaters before - Liberally sprinkle water on the item and stick in dryer. Its shrinks everything though

 

[kitonbrioni]

Isn't folding the sleeve back a simple solution?

 

[kfitzpatrick]

Isn't folding the sleeve back a simple solution?

Sure, absolutely, and I've tried it. And I think it looks pretty bad. To be certain, it may work for you and other men, but on me a turned back sweater cuff comes off looking ill-fitting.

I've recently come to the conclusion that just because I'm not proportionate to the normal small, medium, and larges of the world doesn't mean my casual clothes shouldn't fit correctly. I'm just your normal 5'6-5'7 guy, bit of a gut but otherwise muscular, long torso, short limbs. And, I can't find a darn thing that actually fits me.

If I could spend twice as much on an article of clothing that actually fit all around I probably would, so an alteration fee doesn't seem all that bad.

BTW, kitonbrioni, I regularly check out your blog and love seeing what other fashion-interested guys are wearing.

Thanks
-Kevin

 

[Charley]

I look for a sleeve that can be turned up. The band on the end of the sleeve should be longer. Turn it up using about half the band. It makes the sleeve tighter and keeps it in place better since it stretches less. I've always considered that the proper way to wear a sweater.

 

[Despos]

There exists a specialized machine to work on knits. A ladies store like St. Johns sometimes has this as there line is heavy with knits and they need to be altered. Check with them and see if they would help you out. Some major department stores may have one also. I know Neimans in TX does. If they would accept working on your alterations, I don't know.

 

[thinman]

Originally Posted by kfitzpatrick

Sure, absolutely, and I've tried it. And I think it looks pretty bad. To be certain, it may work for you and other men, but on me a turned back sweater cuff comes off looking ill-fitting.

I've recently come to the conclusion that just because I'm not proportionate to the normal small, medium, and larges of the world doesn't mean my casual clothes shouldn't fit correctly. I'm just your normal 5'6-5'7 guy, bit of a gut but otherwise muscular, long torso, short limbs. And, I can't find a darn thing that actually fits me.

If I could spend twice as much on an article of clothing that actually fit all around I probably would, so an alteration fee doesn't seem all that bad.

BTW, kitonbrioni, I regularly check out your blog and love seeing what other fashion-interested guys are wearing.

Thanks
-Kevin


Have you tried folding the cuff _under_?

I have the opposite problem to yours. I'm very tall and thin, so I appreciate the longer sleeves on sweaters.