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
![](https://cdn.answeroverflow.com/1139172861391667260/AIL4fc9jErBDcr2mGoQFdO0e06V9CrJM8lSdu9WtkQvvtMTS3fi16z-kem5SlX0h7Amp3ONjRk2TRHARmAslRlUfKq-uTWz_S84w6EpeeSQR-5IgDKVmBoyPzg2_cLGHH8CcLSERCzUKPDDxQIQKvyZigNhuLqQS_0UkYYZN5O54ynrp53raYCFUlbwgko8UZeWSROxbt3ASnr_f-QKl6_fpipiWhLr7BTPunAHPdfzgnDBSUAegfWBaBN4D7GvMo8QsG-hvAQk_mpK6wsK96Z0lKkyjxtVr1WjjxIj7nObLtr__jw3e4JecJfUKQKjb10S9TqDOBmtz8irQhm-8nuDtLp6dVCQ0LjAhYAuYHeN26dwRuro5FHP8FjCL_FXanVLIWhJbGatUxZpB9IUnQvRc4HBOyiwcnxGMMGges5HRkD8xFDTA7bimrqNX3NBVeLOjQacMT0e7wGvycNzgewq1pY4qdpSiqn4TpO8gkgzXa0q9S23tBKiN3Dl-..png)
I think if it's bowing it's minimal? The suit just arrived in a box, it needs pressing so forgive the wrinkling
![](https://cdn.answeroverflow.com/1139173319007031356/AIL4fc_gzYRUFGyp1PwweuwtZf7b28TRwAAwqk6CQWrz1mBNqMbzN8wgl6lqK2saWpYnk4Cy6s9bDfS9nEhjpqqu8x6qBF4_RZ9GGtRGhn-uSQYU8LZ4TeHmRBmrsOxu9Y3LkKvt5eDltw2eLJudAWro2C_SxuwaXc_fbHlRhdn5Ih7x8IKFA90j4LQ9pd8wSoYDjGvLhanJABEVu63DGwBcpejrF2I4Q5KCVzLw1yfZWb63lm_uopItXT8K7zoh92u_AOkTF1Fa-HhH4n5Ii6tPrYWx5J3Xp7n4fdWLTRFtBs1JqRljmRSugUHUoEh8w0iUK1HlDrX_-wya5ZAez8wSHYcjUbAxG1TWC2hYyHIq4MDQfYmlnmY5OsmBJ8AG3xFQi67q5M4zag_UVtvZniBQcAjf-Qo3dkLs5CUOFQTWLGcwCq80nZNfN_3yFvNI_isREBJLE4aEyF9vXEmp1tevxdiNhaigMKGbmsuFWjKMFo62TR8cRtkMqN9S..png)
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.
![](https://cdn.answeroverflow.com/1139175560480817233/AIL4fc9vZe8v6aiHE-gJnhDfwO7icRx1_SI-ygmEmqKvbIxn1D0xcwrmj-V42Y404q_M2p_XaBUhp_tsbGUfQfZmAZk-F2X1xX0iW_p734WiQR_ndQ64HAeF-_m2pw2Gw0jQjVKulfLCCwNHJb8SL4bT4IYkohrW4NeiacZJ53559xPW6MiT5V_3RRu1iErd50cJQWpWKAOcBmpHPou5jWo8xqmpVFUvNnuWRfHGLeLsmYAvvb7GI3fZ9qvDDiOQceZLPlje5fzR0AwtUm1CLnuP0FMoferbO0Ddwv_GG-1FTELPCScedpPiDiDSf0twYauyFzkXOXHdn1eXf0RyGlQQ3zOnuzdGtdKcZO60s94Gmr6WhZsZmCwPHT1ng_3yfK7zsZ1XLt3A0oPhyBSEjOPT4YHwn_-U2E3bi0WrjypMNcpL7QWhIZ5i-IAyKav4zqMvHJ5_tlu5XoZhZtNQAPI6GERt5XFL_JpgHFu_LkMKdrHlQ-JcpSP0UR6D..png)
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.