Suit alteration guide: what can a tailor change?

Start with the shoulders

Shoulders determine whether a jacket is a good candidate for alteration. If the shoulder line is far off, other changes will not fully solve the problem.

Small corrections may be possible, but large shoulder changes are usually expensive and risky.

Sleeves and jacket sides

Sleeve length is one of the most common suit alterations. Working buttonholes make the job more complex because length may need to be changed from the shoulder.

Taking in the sides can improve shape, but too much makes the jacket pull and restrict movement.

Accepting enquiries for November

Planning a repair or tailoring project for November?

Send photos and a description of the work. We are accepting repair and tailoring enquiries for 2 November onwards. Please allow 3–5 days for a reply.

Quote via WhatsApp Quote by email

1. 1 Photos or a short video: the whole item and a close-up of the problem area.
2. 2 Item type, material (if known) and quantity.
3. 3 What happened or what you want changed; the desired result and relevant measurements.
4. 4 Your location; fitting or parcel delivery; preferred deadline and urgency.

The preliminary estimate is free. We confirm the final price after inspecting the item. We will agree the price and timing with you separately. Please arrange visits or sending garments with us in advance.

Trousers: length, waist and leg width

Trouser length is highly visible. Waist adjustment is often possible within a few centimeters, while leg narrowing must respect the whole line of the trouser.

A good alteration keeps balance, not only measurements.

When not to alter a suit

If the jacket is wrong in the shoulder or chest, or the trousers are wrong at the hips, alteration may become more expensive than choosing a better base size.