Official "How Does This Fit?" Thread

[hornsup84]

The second round pictures make the jacket look much better generally than the first. The shoulders do look a little wide, and the sleeves could be a little longer, if that's what you like (I tend to have my shirt sleeves a little shorter than yours, so my jackets are correspondingly a little shorter as well). The length of the jacket seems fine.


Definitely should get the sides taken in, but I can't really tell / don't know what is going on with the sleeves. With the shoulders, I might try a 36L (or 37L) if they have it / if you can.

[AnonymousJay]

Also @JasonCarreira re: sleeve lengthening:


There is 1.5" of fabric from the end of the sleeve to where the lining starts and there feels like there is about another .5" of fabric beyond where the lining starts. Does that sound doable?

[jason_carreira]

Maybe doable... It depends how much slack there is in the lining. You'll need at least 1/2" of fabric cuffed inside to attach to the lining, so it will depend on if the lining has an extra inch of seam allowance to come down to it.


If you don't mind, how much did you pay for the suit, and what's your budget for alterations?

[nicholascrawford]

Yes. You'll need about 3/4" inch for the sleeve cuff - a tailor could tell you more exactly.


I agree with JC - the shoulders look wide. Sizing down to a 36R would really shorten things up for you in the sleeves, which is going in the complete wrong direction. I'm sort of a 38R, more like a 36L. It's tough in our size!

[AnonymousJay]

@Jason: Just north of $200 for the suit. Not really sure of a budget for alterations. Hopefully under $100 but whatever it takes to get it right. Obviously at some point it just makes more sense to return it and look for a better suit, though.


@nicholascrawford: I was actually just looking for a 36L. Apparently they are quite elusive!

[jason_carreira]

Yeah, I went to look on eBay and didn't see any in a 36L in brands I'd recommend.


I can tell you what my tailor would charge:


$35 to bring in the coat at the center seam to make the shoulders fit

$15 to lengthen the sleeves


with that they'd probably throw in bringing in the sides, but that might be another $15


$15 to hem and taper the pants


So I think you'll probably be able to get out under $100, but maybe ask for an estimate if you don't have a lot of experience with your tailor. It might be a good way to pick a tailor if you don't have one... ask them what they'd do with this suit and see what they say.

[greg_s]

A lot of specifics here. I'm trying to be concise, not a jerk. The jacket doesn't fit. It didn't fit me either when I bought it. Sleeves are really short (and functional buttons right?), shoulders are too big as is the waist. At that point you'll be in nearly $300 for the suit and tailoring not including pants. I'd say return and start somewhere else.

[ColoradoGuy]

Based solely on the pics -- which is somewhat difficult -- I would say that the jacket is absolutely wearable, but only if there is enough fabric to lengthen the sleeves. Taking it in at the sides/back should be pretty straightforward. Jason makes a great suggestion: Take the jacket to a couple of tailors (hopefully based on recommendations) and ask them how they would handle the suit in terms of alterations. Compare their prices and opinions, and make your decision from there. Don't let them pressure you; though in my experience, most tailors aren't high-pressure types.

[Reuven]

Hi gents. I picked up this Brooks Brothers 346 jacket at the Salvation Army. A whole $5! I think it fits pretty well, but it might be a tad long. What do you think? Can a tailor correct it? This jacket might be part of suit, but it's hard to tell. I couldn't find matching pants in the store. I think it's wearable as a jacket on its own.


http://www.flickr.com//photos/680159...00298273/show/

[nicholascrawford]

Hi Rogin,


It looks a bit big overall. On the arms, just below the shoulder, you've got a dimple that shoes some extra space in the shoulders. Plus, like you said, it runs a little long on you, but that's not a deal breaker. It was only $5! You could probably make it work with grey wool slacks, and it fits well in the waist, it seems. I just wouldn't put any money into tailoring a jacket that's big in the shoulders - something you wouldn't be able to fix with tailoring.

[jason_carreira]

Yeah, that's a size too big for you.

[jason_carreira]

Yeah, that's a size too big for you.

[Reuven]

Thanks for the thoughts. I thought it was a little big. I'm a bigger guy though, so it's tough to find something that fits in the shoulders and the waist. I'll sit on it and figure out what to do with it.

[nicholascrawford]

Don't sweat it. Always aim for the shoulders. Unless it was chopped up by alterations in the past, there's a good chance the waist could be let out by a tailor. For $5, it's worth taking something that fits in the shoulders to the tailor to consult with them about the waist. Usually if you keep the receipt and leave the tags on, you can return thrifted items too.

[jason_carreira]

Well, shoulders and chest... The tailor can tweak the chest a little bit, but not that much