Buy new or tailor a seersucker suit?

[WBAC88]

Hi everyone, new to the forum, but have searched for advice in the past. I'm in the market for a seersucker suit and I have 2 options. I'm on a bit of a tight budget, but I found a used Haspel suit that is a 44S for $130. I could also buy one in my size (42L) for about $200. Would the extra money that I saved on the first suit all go into tailoring it, if it's even possible to tailor? Is it just worth it to buy it right the first time? Any advice on this would be appreciated.

Andy

 

[razl]

Originally Posted by WBAC88

Hi everyone, new to the forum, but have searched for advice in the past. I'm in the market for a seersucker suit and I have 2 options. I'm on a bit of a tight budget, but I found a used Haspel suit that is a 44S for $130. I could also buy one in my size (42L) for about $200. Would the extra money that I saved on the first suit all go into tailoring it, if it's even possible to tailor? Is it just worth it to buy it right the first time? Any advice on this would be appreciated.

Andy

You'll probably spend at least $70 tailoring. Also, in going the tailoring route you really won't know how well the results will be without trying (and it may never come out as good as the correct sized one without serious modifications and spending more). So get the right sized one and save yourself time+headaches.

That said, since you're new, make sure you know what your size really is and what fits you best. Deciding between a too-large+short vs. a fits+long strikes me like someone who still isn't sure what good fit for them really is.

 

[GBR]

Second hand can rarely be recommended - get a new one and maybe wait a little longer until you have saved up more money?

 

[Master-Classter]

buy something that fits the first time around.

 

[landshark]

First, always buy your size if you can help it. You will certainly spend more than the $70 difference in tailoring, and it's likely it won't fit you still.

Second, If you're strapped for cash, and you have a limited number of suits, seersucker is the last fabric you should be purchasing. I made this mistake myself, and bought a seersucker suit at the end of August.

 

[Bird's One View]

If your size really is 42L, no amount of alteration will make a 44S fit you properly.

 

[CYstyle]

Buy new and have it tailored

 

[LanceW]

Nothing wrong with finding something from ebay or thrift but a S will never fit your L. If those are the only two options, I would wear the L untailored over a tailored S. Then alter as the funds become available.

 

[Gus]

Originally Posted by Bird's One View

If your size really is 42L, no amount of alteration will make a 44S fit you properly.

You might be able to make a 42R work but not a 42 short.

Also, don't just go by the size on the jacket but go by how it fits your shoulders. I lot of jacket fits vary from brand to brand.

Good luck!