To sell or tailor? - Ermenegildo Zegna Brown Mohair Trophy Suit

[Jon Ingram]

Greetings All,

I recently picked up a like-new Brown Ermenegildo Zegna Mohair Trophy Suit, made in Switzerland for only $97. It really is beautiful and has no flaws at all that I can find. The problem is that the jacket doesn't fit perfectly. It is slightly large, including in the shoulders. Some men would find it passable, but it just wouldn't feel right to me to wear such a nice suit and not have it fit perfectly. I'm on a tight budget, but it is important for me to look good. I don't know much about alterations, but I do know that both shoulders would need to come in a bit, a bit would need to be taken off the waste, and probably about a half-inch taken off the sleeves. I have absolutely no idea how much this would cost, or if it is even possible to alter the shoulders. Does anyone have any advice about whether I should try to get this suit tailored or if I should try to sell it? I’ve also never sold a suit. Any advice for going about either of these things? All opinions much appreciated. Thanks!

-Jon

 

[taxgenius]

Pictures might help.

 

[Jon Ingram]

I'll post some ASAP, good point.

 

[kayjaybee]

Not sure what the attitude towards altering shoulders is on SF but I'm having two of my suit jackets altered in this way right now. Both needed the shoulders brought in about an inch or inch and a half so the tailor I use is doing just that. I tried one of them on when I stopped into his office the other day and it makes a big difference. However, I'm sure plenty of folks might say that it affects the cut of the jacket. For my budget, I think it looks just fine. It might be pricey, but to do the shoulders of both jackets and alter the inseam of both pants it cost me $300 as the shoulder work is pretty time intensive. I got both suits fairly cheap so I don't mind putting some money into them, especially since my upper body proportions aren't very common.

Good luck!

 

[comrade]

I've had the padding reduced/eliminated from several jackets that weren't very padded in the first place.
My preference is for virtually no padding. I also have an excellent tailor. I've never actually had the shoulder
size reduced. It sounds very tricky. Good Luck!

 

[cptjeff]

I've had the shoulder size reduced. Cost me about $60 and worked out fine, but it's not one I'd trust to an unknown tailor.