Getting my suits altered down a size. Advice, plz.

audiophilia · Aug 16, 2008

Need your expert advice, guys.

I want to have my 46R suits altered to 44R. I won't be buying new suits till I hit my target weight, which will most probably be a 42R.

I will be heading down to Harry Rosen, Bloor St. where I purchased the suits (3 Samuelsons, 1 Arnold Brandt). I know the trousers will be fine but I'm a little worried about the jackets. My shoulders, in particular -- shoulder roll, waist suppression, etc. Should I have faith in the tailors or should I give them specific directions? Any suggestions greatly appreciated. The suits are still in great shape and worth the trouble, I think...cheers.

Style Pontifex · Aug 16, 2008

Interested in this myself.

JeffsWood · Aug 16, 2008

Correct me if I am wrong here, but HR does alterations for life for free on a suit you buy there? If that is true, then it MIGHT be worth it. If it not ture this will be an expensive way to muck around with some nice suits that may or may not work.

If you are not messing wth shoudlers or chest, then it is not a huge deal, when you get into shoulders, things can go wrong fast.

As for faith in the tailors? There are way too many variables not to be very clear with a new tailor about what you want. Once you have established a realationship then you can trust them

Golf_Nerd · Aug 16, 2008

Originally Posted by audiophilia

Need your expert advice, guys.

I want to have my 46R suits altered to 44R. I won't be buying new suits till I hit my target weight, which will most probably be a 42R.

I will be heading down to Harry Rosen, Bloor St. where I purchased the suits (3 Samuelsons, 1 Arnold Brandt). I know the trousers will be fine but I'm a little worried about the jackets. My shoulders, in particular -- shoulder roll, waist suppression, etc. Should I have faith in the tailors or should I give them specific directions? Any suggestions greatly appreciated. The suits are still in great shape and worth the trouble, I think...cheers.

Congrats to loosing weight.

IMO the jacket is not the problem at first. If a jacket is wide because of loosing weight everybody is liking it (oh, you lost weight) and will be jalous about it.

Start with the trousers. Alter only one or two trousers for the beginning. Learn about your tailor and check the result.

TheFoo · Aug 16, 2008

My weight fluctuates quite a bit, but my chest and shoulders stay the same. If you aren't talking about life-changing weight-loss, you may only need to take in the waist and hips.

MilanoStyle · Aug 16, 2008

I used to be 46R 6yrs ago, then settled down at 44R for a while, and now I am 42R. Let me tell you losing unwanted weight is great for health but I ended up spending a lot of money on clothing (and alteration services). If you are looking for slimming down a suit which involves major alteration jobs then HR won't do it for you. There are few good tailors around Bloor-Bay area and if you do search for "Toronto tailor" then you should be able find more info on the tailors.

audiophilia · Aug 16, 2008

Yes, Harry Rosen does do free alterations for life. And the Bloor St. tailors do seem to know what they are doing.

I've been reading around here and elsewhere that one suit size up or down is maximum. That's fine, as when I hit my target weight, I'll be buying 42R suits at at the Sak's June sale. May even go a TAT if I'm on the smaller side of 42R. LOL

Thanks for the warm wishes and info. Weight gain and loss has been an issue for the first half of my life and I'm determined that it will not in the second half. Not brave or anything, just a morbid fear of death! I'm down 82 pounds and will be working faithfully to lose 28 more to 110. I'll then be at my correct weight. Then comes the maintenance.

As my shoulders are quite broad, I'm wondering whether to give the tailor any specific directions. Suits at Harry's are expensive and I'd like another year's wear looking good until I have to scrap them. Thanks...

lordofpi · Aug 16, 2008

Much respect to you for getting things under control. I too am in the midst of this journey, and it is long overdue. Three years ago I took a 44R and now I am wearing a 52R. Hint: no matter how bad you need to make the rent, don't take on a best-friend from high school as a roommate.

Three years ago (and most of my life), I was a well-toned athletic 180 lbs. (81.8 kg), and now that I have forced him to move out (finally), I am 246 lbs. (111.8 kg). I can't wait to get back to normal, though I know that it is definitely going to be a costly experience. At least I can keep my ties, squares, hats, and shoes!

Best of luck getting that last milestone off; that always seems to be the hardest part.

0b5cur1ty · Aug 16, 2008

Let me add my congratulations on the wieght loss - keep up the good work for the next stage!

You say you are broad shouldered; I presume you mean 'structurally', in which case the alterations required to your suits will be slimming the trousers and the body of the jacket without any messing around with the shoulders. This would seem to be a very normal alteration and so not a problem to have done.

dclloyd · Aug 16, 2008

Originally Posted by audiophilia

Need your expert advice, guys.

I want to have my 46R suits altered to 44R. I won't be buying new suits till I hit my target weight, which will most probably be a 42R.

I will be heading down to Harry Rosen, Bloor St. where I purchased the suits (3 Samuelsons, 1 Arnold Brandt). I know the trousers will be fine but I'm a little worried about the jackets. My shoulders, in particular -- shoulder roll, waist suppression, etc. Should I have faith in the tailors or should I give them specific directions? Any suggestions greatly appreciated. The suits are still in great shape and worth the trouble, I think...cheers.

I actually went through this myself over the past year. Dropped (almost) 50 lbs and went from a 44R to now a 40R (or 39R depending on maker). I had a dozen Canali suits that I wanted to save ... but ended up getting rid of after trying a few alterations. However, I was trying to bring it in more than you, so it might work.

About mid-way through I tried a few of the suits. The jacket worked ok - the tailor had to take off the sleeves, trim the shoulders and take it in through the body. Fit was ok through the back and shoulders, but the chest didn't ever seem right. Just too much fabric. The pants were a bigger problem. At first he just took in the material from the back seam, but that pulled the side pockets too far back and made the butt look baggy. On the second time I had him recut from the side seams and that worked much better.

Overall cost me between $125 - $150 per suit for all the work.

Suggest you find a good tailor, preferably one that actually does MTM suits. Try one and see how it works on you. I guarantee you won't be happy trying to go from a 46 to a 42 but right now going to a 44 might work.

Also: Harry Rosen wouldn't touch them when I brought them in, said it was too much for their 'lifetime guarantee' ...

gj555 · Aug 16, 2008

Harry Rosen's lifetime guarantee is limited to general maintenance and one size up or down.

From their site: "What's more, should your garment require alterations due to weight loss or - heaven forbid - weight gain, we will make the necessary adjustments for you to maximum of one size up or down, also at no charge"

meister · Aug 16, 2008

Originally Posted by audiophilia

I want to have my 46R suits altered to 44R. I won't be buying new suits till I hit my target weight, which will most probably be a 42R.

A dream that will not happen for me in this incarnation methinks......good luck for trying..

dclloyd;1237472 said:
I actually went through this myself over the past year. Dropped (almost) 50 lbs and went from a 44R to now a 40R (or 39R depending on maker). I had a dozen Canali suits that I wanted to save ... but ended up getting rid of after trying a few alterations. However, I was trying to bring it in more than you, so it might work.

About mid-way through I tried a few of the suits. The jacket worked ok - the tailor had to take off the sleeves, trim the shoulders and take it in through the body. Fit was ok through the back and shoulders, but the chest didn't ever seem right. Just too much fabric. The pants were a bigger problem. At first he just took in the material from the back seam, but that pulled the side pockets too far back and made the butt look baggy. On the second time I had him recut from the side seams and that worked much better.

Overall cost me between $125 - $150 per suit for all the work.

Suggest you find a good tailor, preferably one that actually does MTM suits. Try one and see how it works on you. I guarantee you won't be happy trying to go from a 46 to a 42 but right now going to a 44 might work.QUOTE]

My alterations guy reckons you can't go down safely more than one size FWIW...you prove the point.

meister · Aug 16, 2008

Originally Posted by audiophilia

I want to have my 46R suits altered to 44R. I won't be buying new suits till I hit my target weight, which will most probably be a 42R.

A dream that will not happen in this incarnation methinks......

Originally Posted by dclloyd

I actually went through this myself over the past year. Dropped (almost) 50 lbs and went from a 44R to now a 40R (or 39R depending on maker). I had a dozen Canali suits that I wanted to save ... but ended up getting rid of after trying a few alterations. However, I was trying to bring it in more than you, so it might work.

About mid-way through I tried a few of the suits. The jacket worked ok - the tailor had to take off the sleeves, trim the shoulders and take it in through the body. Fit was ok through the back and shoulders, but the chest didn't ever seem right. Just too much fabric. The pants were a bigger problem. At first he just took in the material from the back seam, but that pulled the side pockets too far back and made the butt look baggy. On the second time I had him recut from the side seams and that worked much better.

Overall cost me between $125 - $150 per suit for all the work.

Suggest you find a good tailor, preferably one that actually does MTM suits. Try one and see how it works on you. I guarantee you won't be happy trying to go from a 46 to a 42 but right now going to a 44 might work.

Also: Harry Rosen wouldn't touch them when I brought them in, said it was too much for their 'lifetime guarantee' ...

meister · Aug 16, 2008

Originally Posted by audiophilia

I want to have my 46R suits altered to 44R. I won't be buying new suits till I hit my target weight, which will most probably be a 42R.

A dream that will not happen in this incarnation methinks......

Originally Posted by dclloyd

I actually went through this myself over the past year. Dropped (almost) 50 lbs and went from a 44R to now a 40R (or 39R depending on maker). I had a dozen Canali suits that I wanted to save ... but ended up getting rid of after trying a few alterations. However, I was trying to bring it in more than you, so it might work.

About mid-way through I tried a few of the suits. The jacket worked ok - the tailor had to take off the sleeves, trim the shoulders and take it in through the body. Fit was ok through the back and shoulders, but the chest didn't ever seem right. Just too much fabric. The pants were a bigger problem. At first he just took in the material from the back seam, but that pulled the side pockets too far back and made the butt look baggy. On the second time I had him recut from the side seams and that worked much better.

Overall cost me between $125 - $150 per suit for all the work.

Suggest you find a good tailor, preferably one that actually does MTM suits. Try one and see how it works on you. I guarantee you won't be happy trying to go from a 46 to a 42 but right now going to a 44 might work.

Also: Harry Rosen wouldn't touch them when I brought them in, said it was too much for their 'lifetime guarantee' ...

My alterations guy reckons you can't go down safely more than one size FWIW...you prove the point.

dclloyd · Aug 16, 2008

Originally Posted by meister

My alterations guy reckons you can't go down safely more than one size FWIW...you prove the point.

Probably good advice - it just throws the balance of the suit off, hard to describe but it just doensn't fit right. I'm sure it *could* be done if you essentially re-made the suit, but the cost would be comperable to buying a new one.

It was a good excuse to update my wardrobe anyway ...

Getting my suits altered down a size. Advice, plz.

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