Suit Alterations: What a Tailor Can (& Can’t) Do

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Alterations: A Good Idea…When Possible!

You’re at thrift shop and see a great quality vintage suit you love, but the shoulders are too wide. Should you buy it? In situations like these, the difference between getting a steal and wasting your money depends on whether your tailor can complete the required suit or garment alterations to make the item fit you well.

How Many Sizes Larger or Smaller Can You Go?

The first rule of suit alterations is that taking away or reducing the amount of fabric is doable, but you can’t make something bigger, at least not by much. Exactly how much depends on what allowances of extra material were under the seams or hems of the garments. Tailored pants and jackets that were originally expensive or well made, especially bespoke, will usually contain more allowances, future-proofing for the changing size of the wearer over time. Ready-to-wear or less expensive items usually have little or no extra material to let out as a means of keeping costs down. Therefore, you’ll have better chances for a successful alteration if your find is a bit too big rather than too small for you.

Preston giving a thumbs down to an oversized suit
A suit that is too large and baggy may be beyond a tailor’s help

With that said, there are also limits to making things smaller. A suit jacket is quite complex in construction and can’t simply be shrunken down multiple sizes because the proportions will be altered, and the elaborate structure (lining, canvas, padding, pockets, etc.) will have to be reconstructed to the point that it would be more cost-effective to buy a whole new jacket. However, it’s not major surgery to cinch (“take in”) the sides, waist, chest, and arms (more on these alterations later). The rule of thumb is that you can go down two sizes at a maximum, but a suit jacket or blazer, only one size too large, is a safer option. The problem is always that jackets that are too large can also be too large on the shoulders, which is a more challenging thing to alter.

Taking in a jacket
A jacket can be taken in or reduced a moderate amount in various places

Trousers are a little more forgiving, especially if you want to go with a high-waisted look. While legs can be made narrower and waistbands taken in, the rise of a pair of pants–the distance between the waistband and crotch–is more difficult to change. But, if a high rise is your style, you can transform a too-large pair of mid- or even low-rise pants into a high rise by altering the parts that can be tailored and leaving the rise alone. In this way, a potential deal-breaker can actually be something desirable.

Want Clothes With Perfect Fit? Follow These 10 Guidelines!

Altering the Shoulders of a Suit Jacket

1. Changing the Width of Shoulders – NO

poor fitting shoulder
A poor-fitting shoulder
Wool Challis Tie in Turquoise with Gray, Orange, Navy and Yellow Pattern - Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

Wool Challis Tie in Turquoise with Gray, Orange, Navy and Yellow Pattern

With this ground rule established, let’s look at the parts of a tailored outfit from top to bottom in terms of what can be altered and what cannot, starting with the shoulders of a suit jacket (or sport coat, or blazer). Of course, as the first thing we consider, shoulders are an exception to the rule; making shoulders either bigger or smaller is not recommended as alterations. The structure of a jacket shoulder is complex enough that reshaping it involves major surgery.

2. Changing the Pad Level of Shoulders – MAYBE

If your body doesn’t suit a padded shoulder, you can remove shoulder pads with the goal of a natural Neapolitan shoulder or add them in an attempt to make a Neapolitan style into a more British jacket. In both cases, the structure of the shoulder will change (and along with it, the appearance of the jacket), but the result will never be the same as one in the original style. It’s sort of like taking a cheap car, adding a rear spoiler and a decorative hood scoop, and calling the result a race car. The result will never be authentic or even look as good as buying a new jacket with the sort of shoulder you wanted in the first place.

Ethan wearing is beloved spectators and a DB suit with faint mini windowpane paired with a boater hat
Ethan Wong wearing his beloved spectators and a DB suit with faint mini windowpane paired with a boater hat.

Ethan Wong recently experimented by having a padded shoulder turned into a natural one; he made use of a highly skilled tailor to do more than just change the padding. Ethan also didn’t try to pass the jacket off as Italian tailoring; his goal was just to improve the overall look and fit of the garment. If you go this route, it’s important that the tailor is experienced and the jacket one you’re willing to have significantly altered.

Changing the Collar – MAYBE

An alteration that is rarely thought about is altering the collar of a suit jacket. This is not an area that jumps to mind as having an impact on the look or even fit of a suit, but a collar that is overly large for your neck will result in the dreaded “collar gap.” If this is something that affects your suits, you may be tempted to do something about it by having the collar removed and re-cut.

Bespoke jacket collar construction

altering the jacket’s collar

It can be done, but this is another case where it’s better to simply buy a jacket that doesn’t gap, as the repair can be costly, and collar gap can have other causes, like having one shoulder wider or lower than another or a particular posture.

Altering Sleeves on a Jacket

1. Narrowing, Lengthening, and Shortening Sleeves – YES

Sleeves may be the easiest part of a jacket to change–after all, they’re essentially two tubes with little complex structure to them. Narrowing ones that are too large around the arms is an easy alteration. Making sleeves slightly longer or shorter, say by a 1/2″ or so, is also a fairly routine procedure. But longer lengthening, even if there’s enough material, puts the buttons too far away from the edge of the sleeve, while shortening too much puts the first button too close to the end of the sleeve, both of which look strange.

The amount of cuff Sven Raphael Schneider like to show
The amount of cuff Sven Raphael Schneider likes to show. Note the correct distance from the last button to the end of the jacket sleeve.
Madder Silk Tie in Blue with Buff and Red Paisley

Fort Belvedere

Madder Silk Tie in Blue with Buff and Red Paisley

If your sleeve buttons are non-functioning, a tailor can move the top or bottom button (and pick out the decorative stitching) to balance out larger changes in sleeve length. However, if you have working buttons this is a more difficult alteration because it will not be possible to sew up the former buttonholes cleanly; these are really tears in the fabric that can only be closed with the services of a reweaver–a specialist who can reweave the cloth–who are rare to find.

Shirt cuff sticking out of a jacket sleeve
Working buttonholes make it tricky to lengthen or shorten the sleeves. Non-working buttonholes make it easier as buttons can just be replaced.
Monkey Fist Knot Cufflinks - 925 Sterling Silver Rose Gold Plated

Fort Belvedere

Monkey Fist Knot Cufflinks – 925 Sterling Silver Rose Gold Plated

This is one instance where a higher-end tailoring detail is actually detrimental to alterations, so if you pick up a jacket with functioning sleeve buttons, make sure the sleeves don’t need extensive lengthening or shortening. In fact, even cleaning up the stitching on non-functional sleeves can be imperfect, so exercise caution. An alternative is to have a skilled tailor shorten the sleeve by removing it and reducing it at the shoulder rather than at the bottom. Lengthening can also be done at the shoulder depending on whether extra fabric is available. Both are more expensive.

2. Putting on Buttons – YES

Typical cut of an Armoury sport coat and pants
A Model 3 jacket from The Armoury before sleeve buttons have been put on. [Image Credit: The Armoury]

Speaking of sleeve buttons, when you buy a higher-quality tailored jacket, there will usually not be any buttons on the sleeve, which lets you determine the proper length before you put them on. Obviously, then, this is a necessary and supposedly routine alteration, but it can be tricky getting it done right.

Most smaller local tailors or seamstress shops don’t have the ability or equipment to do it and will complain that the job is undesirable for them. Even the usual tailor the author (Dr. Christopher Lee) uses in a Midwestern city can only do it by hand to the tune of $150. Dr. Lee ends up having this done in New York (for $10 a button) at Sam Wazin who is also used by The Armoury. This goes to show that, depending on where you live, a routine tailoring job can be not so routine after all.

Buttons Make a BIG Difference in Menswear–Here’s Why!

3. Fixing Shoulder Divots – MAYBE

Preston illustrates a large divot on the shoulder of a brown striped suit jacket
Preston illustrates a large divot on the shoulder of a brown striped suit jacket

One sleeve-related alteration that is potentially challenging and expensive is fixing shoulder divots or dimples. These can be created, especially on heavier-weight fabrics like flannels, if:

  1. The sleeve is connected to the armhole of the jacket in a way that doesn’t match the way you naturally hold your arms in the resting position, or
  2. The armhole is considerably smaller than the sleeve opening that attaches to it.

A tailor can try to fix these issues (around $90 per sleeve by the author’s estimate) by removing the sleeve and rotating it to match your posture or by reducing the size of the sleeve. This is a doable alteration, but results are not 100% guaranteed, and, again, the cost is high.

Alterations to the Body of a Jacket

1. Changing the Button Profile – NO

Two different button profiles
A three-roll-two button jacket at left vs. a hard three-button at right. Note the different lapel shapes 
Houndstooth Bourette Silk Tie in Burgundy Red Cream

Fort Belvedere

Houndstooth Bourette Silk Tie in Burgundy Red Cream

As noted above, taking in aspects of the body of a jacket are fairly simple, and letting out what is available at the seams is as well. Other alterations to the body are not recommended. One that is commonly asked about is related to the number of buttons. Subtracting buttons, like turning a three-button suit into a two, is not doable because it would require the closure of the additional buttonhole, which cannot be done cleanly. Moreover, the placement of the buttons is different. The same is true for plans to turn a hard three-button or even a two into a three-roll-two buttoning scheme where the top button is rolled under the lapel.

2. Changing the Lapels – MOSTLY NO

Notch and peak lapels
Peak and notch lapels of roughly the same width. Notice the differing buttonhole angles.

If you have a single-breasted jacket you love but you dislike its peak lapels, it might be possible to turn them into notch lapels if there is sufficient fabric. Peak lapels are usually larger and wider, so the possibility is high unless you are beginning with an anemic peak lapel, as shown above. The opposite operation can’t be done, however, because a notch lapel will be smaller, to begin with, and lack the additional “point.” If you want your new notch lapel to be narrower, the underlying canvas will likely have to be cut and reshaped, but if the width stays the same, less work is required.

Peak lapels point upwards (Pictured: Madder Silk Tie in Dark Blue, Light Blue and Red Macclesfield Neats from Fort Belvedere)
Peak lapels point upwards (Pictured: Madder Silk Tie in Dark Blue, Light Blue and Red Macclesfield Neats from Fort Belvedere)

You will almost always face issues with the lapel buttonhole because it’s supposed to run parallel to the top edge of the lapel, which points upward in a peak lapel and downward in a notch; the buttonhole will also be in a different location. If this doesn’t bother you, then it’s something you can explore. However, if you’re going this far to perfect a jacket, you will almost certainly find the imperfect buttonhole angle irritating.

Boutonniere loop completed

RATHER THAN CHANGING

Add a hidden buttonhole!

With this in mind, the only real alteration recommended with a lapel is adding a hidden boutonniere loop to the underside. This will keep your boutonniere flower “stem” properly aligned. Of course, you can also do this yourself at home.

3. Reshaping the Quarters of a Jacket – NO

The quarters represent the lower front flaps of your suit jacket panels, the area below the bottom button, also called the skirts of the jacket. These can either be closed, meaning the flaps lie nearly straight down when buttoned, or open, meaning the panels are curved and cut away, or flared out when buttoned. The former look is more conservative and business-like, but if you want some Neapolitan bravado, you may think about having your quarters opened. Simply put, however, cutting away and reshaping the panels will affect the button position and cannot be done effectively.

A navy jacket with rounded quarters.
A navy jacket with rounded quarters.

4. Shortening the Jacket – MAYBE

While lengthening a jacket is impossible because there simply isn’t enough fabric to exploit, shortening from the bottom is possible, provided you are only reducing the length by a small amount. If you take off too much length, the pockets and bottom button will be dangerously close to the bottom, which will look even worse than having buttons that are too close to the sleeve edge.

5. Changing the Vent Openings on the Back – MAYBE

These days, the majority of quality suits will be sold with a double vent opening at the back. However, if you own a cheaper single-vented suit or an Italian-style suit with no vent at all, you may have toyed with the possibility of converting the vents. Realistically, you can’t increase the number of vents, because you need to have enough fabric to cover the seam and lining that will be exposed on the edges of the new flaps. On the other hand, closing the vents is possible, since there are ordinarily seams on the back of jackets anyway that can simply be continued all the way to the bottom.

Side vents
Side vents

Alterations to a Suit’s Trousers

Hems, Cuffs, and Leg Length on Pants – YES

Following the general principle we began with, pant legs can be made shorter, but they can only be lengthened to the extent of whatever hem material is left at the bottom. Quality dress pants are sold unhemmed with a lot of extra fabric at the bottom, but a tailor will not leave more than a couple of inches under the hem when they’re finished. This extra material can also be turned into cuffs if you desire, so this is another easy alteration, as is the opposite–removing cuffs.

Tan Monk Strap Shoes with beige cuffed pants
Tan Monk Strap Shoes with beige cuffed pants

Tapering and Decreasing Leg Width – YES

While legs cannot be made larger, they can easily be tapered, especially from the knee to the bottom if the leg opening is too wide at the bottom (an 8″ opening tends to look best for most). In fact, tapering is one of the easiest alterations.

Ethan Wong wearing high-rise trousers
Ethan Wong’s strategy for attaining a higher rise often involves buying a size up and tapering the legs.

Should You Wear High-Waisted Pants?

Adding to and Subtracting from the Waist – YES

Because it’s commonly understood that waistlines fluctuate in size (we’ve all been there, right?), pants manufacturers are usually pretty generous in providing allowances of material to enlarge the waistband and upper part of the seat from the waist toward your rear end. The exact amount varies by the size, but at least 2-3″ is found at the center rear seam. The opposite can be done as well, also at the rear, to around the same limit. Anything more than 2-3″ will affect the balance of the trousers as the rear pockets get close together. All changes to the waistband should also require some alteration to part of the seat.

A tailor tracing a suit with a tailor's chalk.
A tailor tracing a suit with a tailor’s chalk. [Image Credit: Oxxford Clothes]

From these examples, it’s clear that pants are simpler in construction than a jacket, facilitating more ready changes, though, as noted at the start of the article, the rise is the most difficult to change as it requires removing the waistband and replacing the zipper as well.

Conclusion – Know What Suit Alterations Are Possible

There are many different alterations that are possible when you examine the components of a suit. Understanding the anatomy of a pair of pants or a tailored jacket will also make you aware of what can and cannot be done.

Study the garments you own–look at the seams for allowances, check for previous work, and get a sense of its structure. Then weigh the advice above against your love for the item. You can then decide whether it’s something you are willing to invest in or if you would just prefer to buy something new (or vintage!).

Have you tried any of these alterations with success or failure? Share your stories in the comment section.

Outfit Rundown

Preston is wearing a gray suit that is, by his own admission, in pretty desperate need of some tailoring to fit him better! With that said, its various deficiencies in fit can give good visual examples of things that could or couldn’t be altered based on the advice we’ve given today. In fact, let us know in the comments what alterations you think could be made to this suit.

Preston's ill-fitting suit
Preston’s ill-fitting suit
Butcher Blue Jacquard Woven Tie with Printed Brown and White Diamonds Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

Butcher Blue Jacquard Woven Tie with Printed Brown and White Diamonds

Burgundy Silk Wool Pocket Square with Paisley in Beige, Blue, Green and Pink and beige shoestring edge - Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

Burgundy Silk Wool Pocket Square with Paisley in Beige, Blue, Green and Pink and beige shoestring edge

Burgundy Mini Carnation Silk Boutonniere Buttonhole Flower Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

Burgundy Mini Carnation Silk Boutonniere Buttonhole Flower

Silver cufflinks with carnelian balls

Fort Belvedere

Eagle Claw Cufflinks with Carnelian Balls – 925 Sterling Silver Platinum Plated

Shadow Stripe Ribbed Socks Dark Navy Blue and Royal Blue Fil d'Ecosse Cotton - Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

Shadow Stripe Ribbed Socks Dark Navy Blue and Royal Blue Fil d'Ecosse Cotton

Preston has paired the suit with a plain, light blue dress shirt and a number of different accessories from the Fort Belvedere shop. His tie is in a jacquard weave and a color we’re calling butcher blue, and it features a repeating diamond motif in brown and white. The brown tones in the tie pattern do have some red to them, however, so they pair relatively well with the small burgundy carnation boutonniere and the pocket square, which is in a wool-silk blend and features paisley in colors of beige, blue, green, and pink, also sporting a contrast edge.

Continuing the color theme are Preston’s cufflinks, which are in platinum-plated sterling silver eagle-claw designs featuring carnelian as the stone, and his red and blue shadow-striped socks. Rounding out the outfit are some bold shoes, which are brogued spectator Oxfords featuring tan leather and herringbone fabric. Preston has added gray laces from Fort Belvedere, as well.

FAQ

What can a tailor adjust on my suit jacket?

A tailor can typically adjust the sides, shorten the sleeves, narrow the shoulders to some extent, adjust the lapel shape, and shorten the jacket length. However, the extent of these alterations may depend on the construction and style of the jacket.

Is it possible to alter the size of my trousers waist and seat?

Yes, a tailor can usually take in or let out the waist and seat of your trousers. There’s a limit to how much this can be done without affecting the look of the trousers, so check with your tailor.

Can the trouser length be adjusted?

Absolutely, adjusting the trouser length is a standard alteration that tailors can perform by hemming the bottoms to your preferred length.

Are there any limitations on shortening suit sleeves?

Yes, if the sleeves have functioning buttonholes, shortening them significantly can be difficult. The tailor might have to shorten the sleeve from the shoulder, which is more complicated and costly.

Can a tailor change the overall fit of my suit to make it slimmer or more relaxed?

Within reason, yes. A tailor can take in seams to make your suit slimmer or let them out for a more relaxed fit. The fabric availability and original cut will determine the degree of alteration possible.

Is it possible to change the style of the lapels on my suit?

It can be done, but it’s a complex alteration. It’s often not recommended as it can drastically change the suit’s original design and integrity.

Can the shoulders of my suit jacket be made smaller?

This is a very complex alteration and isn’t always advisable since it can disrupt the jacket’s balance and proportions. It’s often costly and not all tailors will undertake this type of work.

If my suit jacket is too tight, can it be made larger?

A tailor might be able to let out the seams slightly if there is enough excess fabric allowance. However, the possibilities are limited, and major changes might not be feasible.

Can a tailor fix a torn or worn-out suit?

Small tears or wear can sometimes be repaired or patched discreetly, but it depends on the location and extent of the damage. For significant repairs, consult with your tailor to assess the options.

Will altering my suit affect its appearance?

Skilled tailors aim to maintain the suit’s original appearance, but some alterations may slightly change the look depending on the extent of the changes needed. Always discuss potential outcomes with your tailor beforehand.

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Reader Comments

  1. Excellent article. Delivered just in time as I was about to visit a tailor for a houndstooth vintage jacket that became rather baggy after loosing several pounds. Thank you so much (for your always helpful articles, suggestions and tips)

    Take care,
    A.

    1. “I was about to visit a tailor for a houndstooth vintage jacket that became rather baggy after losing several pounds.”

      You forgot to add: “How the jacket lost several pounds I’ll never know!”

  2. Good article!
    Some things I would add/ change. The width of the sleeves: it always depends on the armholes. It is not possible to change the height of the armhole when you want it higher. A smaller armhole is just possible with changing shoulders, back or breast of a jacket even though it never happens to be much smaller because you always have to keep the shape of the armhole. Otherwise you will restrict the ability to move your arms. So the sleeve can’t be altered too much. Also changing the width of the arm has influence on the position so it is possible to change the width of the seam but alterations near the armhole are restricted.
    The shape of the quarters is changeable if you want it to be more open but it depends on the distance relations between buttons, seam and pockets. All alterations have influence on the look and style of a jacket and change the look it is supposed to be. I also recommend never to buy jackets that are much too large because finally you will never be happy with the result which is related to the price you paid for the jacket and the alterations which are mostly much more expensive.

  3. The vast majority of my wardrobe is comprised of vintage treasures found at thrift stores. I have a great Korean tailor who has been able to reduce or enlarge these items to fit me well. I have found that lengthening sleeves however isn’t a good idea. The older jacket has been worn, cleaned and pressed many times. The lengthened sleeve will often have a very discernible line where the end of the sleeve had previously been. Shortening works avoid the opposite.

  4. I had the shoulder pads removed from a linen suit because I wanted a more relaxed look for the summer. It was not that expensive and the result turned out just as I had hoped for. You must be willing to take chances because there is no guarantee that you will like the result of the unstructured jacket. Thanks for the well researched article.

  5. Please, tell me something!
    For me a bespoke suit isn’t available, but I can buy well fitted jackets in second hand shops and on sales. But politicians, celebrities, actors on the red carpet why have awfully mesaured suits.

  6. What an amazing photo of President Trump. With all that money he still looks like this. And yet his wife really knows how to put an outfit together. I wonder what she thinks of his dress sense…?

    1. Many of Melania Trump’s outfits are ill-fitted too. For example, the dress and jacket that she wore for the inauguration were poorly-fitted.

  7. Is it possible to have the lining removed from a jacket? If so, what are the potential complications and dangers?

    Thank you.

  8. Question from a women , although it pertains to any tailored suiting I think: The interfacing on the jackey lapel seemed a bit off, it’s hard to tell if it buckled or if the top fabric of the lapel and the fabric from the underside was not aligned properly when the seam was sewn together… can this be fixed? It’s a Basler suit jacket.

    1. Dear Tara, a photo or two would help solve your problem. It also helps to know whether the jacket interfacing is fused, i.e., glued on (I’m assuming it is) or not.

  9. My husband just got a new suit that doesn’t fit him right, and your article had great tips he could use if he takes it to tailor. I liked how you said tapering and decreasing width and a pant is a possible alteration to get at a tailor. My husband need to taper the leg opening at the bottom of his pants, so I’ll share this with him to help him know what he can tailored.

  10. I disagree with the above statement that shoulders cannot be altered.
    While they cannot be widened they can be made slightly narrower – within reason.
    It’s not that this can’t be done, rather that many are just scared / to lazy to try.
    There are several great videos on You Tube about how this is done.
    A competent / skilled tailor can do this.

    1. This is true, about shoulders. If one is considering taking out shoulder pads, or altering an older look into something more current, then one perforce must also recut the shoulders, AND the sleeve to make it all work. The larger problem with older suits, though, is usually the chest must also be taken in, which means major alterations (as discussed in the article) to the interior canvasing, etc., essentially recutting the jacket.

  11. Good article, only problem there are handful TAILOR who can do this kind of job. When cutting down shoulder fine but armholes way too big and baggy,

    1. Any things can be alter if you willin to pay. Some time to buy is cheaper to buy new suit. I am a master tailor I can do anything with my hands.

  12. When you say 1 size, what exactly does that mean? If I want to tailor a 40R to a 38R, is it 1 size or 2 sizes? Thanks.

  13. I was wondering what would be the difficulty to widen the trouser in the calf area? One problem I encounter when I wear a suit is that when I wear over the calf socks, the socks would touch with the inside of the trouser, and the friction caused by the touch between socks and trousers stops the trouser drape back. This also leaves lots of wrinkling in the knee area.

    1. Hello,
      usually, it won’t be possible to have the trousers widened in this area due to little seam allowance. You may consider wearing trousers made of a heavier fabrics or such with sufficient width.

  14. Hello,

    I have to correct you in one point:
    It IS possible to have the rise extended by a few centimetres.
    However, it is therefore required that there be sufficient excess at the edge of the trousers in order to have it sewn between the waistband and the trouser’s upper edge.

  15. Thank you for the information regarding what can and cannot be altered on a suit jacket or sport coat. Not I can speak to my tailor with more confidence. Before I visit the tailor, I am interest in knowing if the hump or bump that appears just under the back of the collar can be removed through alterations.

    1. That bump is a common occurrence, Tom – an alteration tailor should be able to advise you on how it can be fixed.

  16. How difficult is it to add buttonholes to a jacket sleeve to make the buttons functional? I’ve read recently that working buttonholes on a tailored jacket are not always a sign of quality, but I still like the look of the unbuttoned last button.

    1. Working buttons on a suit jacket certainly used to be a sign of high quality, as it means they were cut and finished once they were the perfect length for the client (typically in a bespoke situation). Nowadays, there are many places that have understood this is a detail that people look for, so a working suit cuff on its own is no longer a sign of quality, as you mention. However, a working suit cuff with beautifully hand-sewn buttonholes is a sign of a sartorialist, and I certainly understand the appeal. The difficulty of transforming a non-working cuff to a working one lies squarely in how much cloth inlay there is in the cuff’s construction. if there’s enough inlay, then it can be done, and the price will depend on whether you want machine or hand stitched buttonholes – with the latter being more expensive. Just remember, once you’ve cut those buttonholes, you’ve set the sleeve length as it can no longer be adjusted in length from the cuff, with any sleeve length alterations needing to be done via the head – a much trickier and expensive operation. Hope that helps!

  17. Hello Preston and friends; thank you for this comprehensive and engaging presentation, –but it doesn’t address MY specific question: is it feasible/advisable to raise the armholes of sport coats and suit jackets? Thank you, and BE well!

    1. Hi David, the short answer to your question is simply “no”. It is possible, but is often quite a tricky procedure that essentially requires picking up the jacket shoulders to raise the armholes to a new position. The knock-on effect is that the jacket’s waist, length, button position, gorge and pocket placement will also be raised at the same time. Not to mention the fact that the sleeve head has to be re-set once the armholes have been raised means you’re essentially re-making a huge portion of the jacket, which is why many alterations tailors won’t touch this type of thing. From a purely practical point of view, yes – it can be done, but it statistically results in a jacket that looks ill-balanced.