Any good resources for guidance on how to assess what elements of a suit can be altered?
I'm trying to assess if a suit jacket can be let out at the waist. I've looked at the side and back seams and I don't see where the fabric would come from and can't see any videos / sites on what I should be looking for. Would appreciate any guidance.
21 Replies
Sub-question: if a buttoned suit jacket is snug and slightly nipped but the lapels stay flat and the collar hugs the neck then it's more a personal preference than faux-pas to not let it out?
Most elements of a suit can be altered, but the price can get ugly. Does the jacket have darts at the waist? That's generally where waist-adjustments are made.
It's hard to say for certain without a pic of the fit, but so long as there isn't a crazy X shape on the button it is more personal preference.
Usually if it's too tight then the lapels bow
I think if it's bowing it's minimal? The suit just arrived in a box, it needs pressing so forgive the wrinkling
I think you want it let out, button pulling is messing with how it lays, shoulders seem a little wonky too though which is more expensive, I’m not a resident suiting expert though
Shoulder has shirring / Spalla Camicia, meant to look like that to the best of my knowledge
It looks a little tight, but should be within the range that a tailor can help
if you mean the first picture I think it was just because I was using my apple watch to control the photo so it was mid move when it took.
There's zero divot at rest
I will bring it in for the waist on the jacket, trousers need an inch as well and might shave a cm off the sleeves.
Okay yeah looks better here
Once the waist is out it should be good
I might get the legs widened , there's tons of extra material. The taper isn't too bad but I think it would look better wider.
Agree
Yeah would look nicer with slightly fuller pants. More congruent look with the suit jacket also.
👍 Thankfully there's an almost comical amount of additional material at both sides on the leg seams so shouldn't be a problem.
Wide lapels look really good, imo the pants don't really need a hem, especially if you're getting the legs widened
Ty, yeah I t hink the hem is ok, I'm also borderline on the sleeves. Any movement and the shirt cuff pops out just right.
It's really just waist on both and widen the leg. I'm tempted to bring it into the seamstress rather than the tailor and save paying 5x the cost
those should be simple tweaks
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Seam Allowances: a Guide to Alterations in Tailoring | The Stylefor...
Seam allowances are our friends when it comes to altering tailored garments. However, there are limits to what one can alter. Let's take a look at what a good tailor is going to be able to do with your garments - both ready-to-wear and bespoke.
Thank you, very helpful.
That' tracks with what I was seeing, less than an 1" on the left, right and centre seams, but according to that link it's normal.
As frustrating as it is I’d do one thing at a time with the pants. Widen them first (maybe other stuff too) and then decide what break you want