Can suits be adjusted/altered easily?

Penny-Pincher!!

Hi Guys!

My OH has recently lost a stone and has trimmed down a lot. The thing is he needs to wear suits regularly but all of them are now too big on him. Some are designer and weren't cheap, but could they be easily altered, or wouldn't it be worth it? Would they keep their style well? He has about 10 in total but would only want half of them done which are the dearer ones.

The jackets are mainly 44" chest but could fit a 42 now and all the trousers are 36" and he needs no more than a 34.

Any advice?

Thanks

PP
xx

meritaten

Yes, they can be - but you would need a competent mens tailor. This does not come cheap! If the suits were bespoke and the place you bought them still in business ask there, they may have someone who does alterations for them! failing that - yellow pages!

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I second the taking them to somebody that knows what they're doing.

short_bird

Ideally, you need to find a proper tailor to give a quote. This is easier in some towns and cities than others.:D The tailor should check if the shoulders and arms still fit OK as, if OH been exercising as well as losing weight, the shoulders may not fit correctly if he's gained muscle. In this case, there may be so much work to do that it may be better to buy new:eek:

If it's mostly waist weight, then it is theoretically possible to take in trousers and jacket. It may not be possible to alter some garments depending on where the pockets are located and the construction methods used. But a tailor that knows their stuff will take time and care to explain what he can and can't do.

Hope that helps!

Owain_Moneysaver

Trousers are fairly easy to take in at the waist, but harder if material has to be removed from the seat or legs.

If they're good designer wear it might be better to sell them second-hand (and perhaps obtain some replacement through the same route).

Tiddlywinks

Do you have a high army / narvy / RAF population near you? If so, find the tailor local to the camp and call them... ask if they make / alter mess dress, if they do then they tend to be good and affordable.

The suits will need to be completely taken apart, cut down and re-set so you need someone who is experienced not just someone that advertises alterations such as hemlines etc.

Peggybabcot

This is something I do for a living and yes suits can be downsized within reason. From what you're saying 2" at the chest & waist is certainly do-able. With jackets the obvious seams are the back ones as there are no pockets restricting alterations. Men's trousers usually have a seam right up the centre back and this makes them quite easy to take in but there is a limit as to how far you can do this. Shoulders, again, can be altered but this is quite complicated and you really need to know your stuff to do a good job. As far as cost is concerned I can only give you a guide as everyone has different charges. Taking trousers in via centre back expect to pay around £10-£15, jackets taken in via centre back seam without a vent from £18 upwards and shoulders from around £25 upwards. Only you can decide whether it's worth having the alterations done or if you'd be better off selling them and buying a replacement. A word of warning I have seen many levels of quality of alterations (as I've had to put other peoples bodge jobs right!) so definitely go with recommendations.

RAS

It is certainly possible to take in trousers and inch or two. Assuming there is a full waist band, remove from one side to the middle of the back and just beyond (I would keep the button hole side intact).

Pin a one inch tuck into the middle seam at the back (at this point having the body in the pants is useful as bums vary in shape) then gradually taper the tuck to nothing about 2/3rds of the way down the back seam. Sow the new seam, un-pick the old one and iron the seam open. re-instate the waist band. I would try and retain the excess fabric unless it make the waist band look really awful, that way you can still let out the trousers if you need to do it later.

Ex had some trousers adjusted and when I saw what was done I did a few for him instead.

For really good suit, I would use a tailor but I would ask them to retain the excess fabric if possible.