Sleeve Length: Sport Coat/Blazer vs. Suit Coat

C.G. · Jan 20, 2008

Is the sleeve length of a sport coat / blazer suppose to be the same length as a suit coat?

I just purchased an E. Zegna sport coat that is being tailored. The sleeve length just covered my shirt sleeves. I was going to have them shortened but the tailor and the Zegna sales rep (Nieman Marcus @ The Westchester) said it looked good. When I inquired, they said it is looks good for a sport coat or blazer to have slightly longer sleeves than a suit coat.

Thank you for your comments in advance.

bbaquiran · Jan 20, 2008

Perhaps they assumed you would sometimes want to wear it with a short sleeved shirt?

neon · Jan 20, 2008

I don't think there's any logic in assuming blazer sleeves should be longer than in suit jacket. I stick with half an inch of the shirt cuffs for both.

JimInSoCalif · Jan 20, 2008

My suit coats and sport coats all measure the same distance from the end of my thumb. I wear them with a lot of the same shirts so it only makes sense, at least to me, that they should be the same length.

Cheers, Jim.

teddieriley · Jan 20, 2008

This may be an over generalization, but sales people and tailors tend to suggest overly long jacket sleeve length. Many times you have to insist on showing the cuff. I think showing cuff is applicable to both suit jackets and sportscoats/blazers. But if you want a jacket in your wardrobe that doesn't show cuff, that's cool too.

Hard2Fit · Jan 20, 2008

Originally Posted by JimInSoCalif

My suit coats and sport coats all measure the same distance from the end of my thumb. I wear them with a lot of the same shirts so it only makes sense, at least to me, that they should be the same length.

Cheers, Jim.

Agreed.

a tailor · Jan 20, 2008

it costs the store money to have the sleeve shortened.
thats the simple answer.

Gus · Jan 20, 2008

Stores tend to want to leave sleeves and pants longer. It is common for me to have a little back and forth with a tailor at a Dept store to get the sleeves or pants the length I like.

I try and wear a jacket or tailored pants (vs. jeans) when I have clothing marked so I can show what I like using my current clothing as reference.

itsstillmatt · Jan 20, 2008

The last time I had pants tailored in a department store, the tailor made them more than an inch longer than I had wanted and made the cuff a half inch small. You would be better off taking your alterations to a real tailor.

Concordia · Jan 20, 2008

Sometimes I'll have a sport coat with slightly longer sleeves, especially if it's a summer jacket. I'm not saying that I don't regret some of those, but sleeves tailored to show the right amount of cuff look really dumb when worn with short sleeves.

But, yes-- department store tailors (including the one at Louis Boston) seem to prefer sleeves and trouser legs much too long.

C.G. · Jan 20, 2008

Thank you for your replies. Since the jacket was 50% off, I was paying for the alterations. So it confused me even more when I questioned their agreement on the length.

I decided to let them do the other minor tailoring required and then take it to my tailor to shorten the sleeves.

All the best!

Gus · Jan 20, 2008

Originally Posted by iammatt

You would be better off taking your alterations to a real tailor.

It's good advice especially when there is a sale going on. The added volume of work for tailors at retail stores seems to lead to more errors.

JayJay · Jan 20, 2008

I, too, have been frustrated by department store tailors hemming both pants and jacket sleeves much too long.

Sleeve Length: Sport Coat/Blazer vs. Suit Coat

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