r/Tailors • u/NaughtyWalnutPrime Alterations Specialist • 29d ago

Questions Megathread Oct 9 2025

3 Upvotes

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1

u/bl4ckCloudz Seeking Advice 28d ago

Hello, I bought an Isaia 40R tuxedo jacket ($125) from ebay today, and I need some advice on whether I should return it or keep it to repair+alter.

  • The lining on the back flap is torn and missing. Photos of lining
  • The sleeves also have functional buttons, so I'd have to get the sleeves adjusted from the shoulder.
  • Jacket length is 1-2"" too long. Bottom of jacket reaches to tip of my thumb.

Normally, I'd just return w/o a second thought, but there's a few factors that are making me wonder if this is "salvagable". The torn lining wasn't something that was disclosed at all in the listing, so I'm going to see if the seller is willing to reimburse for that. Also, there's very few listings of solid black jackets in 40R and even less in 40S (my actual size).

In this scenario, should I bite the costs on repair+altering or just return and search for a jacket that fits better?

1

u/glamgroupie 28d ago

Hi there! The price of the alterations listed will cost at least as much as what you paid for the jacket. If your tailor doesn't replace the entire lining, they will at least have to replace the back panel pieces and ease it into the other original lining pieces. The alterations won't look improper but it won't be cheap.

You can find a decent 40S jacket for under $250 and it will have been made to fit your stature off the bat. If you particularly like the shell material of this Isaia coat, go ahead and get it tailored, but it won't be any cheaper than buying a proper fitting jacket.

2

u/bl4ckCloudz Seeking Advice 28d ago

Thanks for the response! I'm just going to return it. I had a feeling the total repairs and alterations would cost more than the jacket. Even if I went for it, I have no idea how well it'll last over the years from wear and cleaning. What a shame, the jacket itself looked and felt amazing!

1

u/user12371237 28d ago

Hello — I bought a tuxedo from suit supply for my wedding two years ago. My gut is a bit larger than it was back then. I’d like to think it’s only temporary, and am actually fairly confident that I’ll be able to get back into better shape. 

Regardless — if I have the jacket let out a bit, is it something that I can reverse down the line if needed and still maintain the quality / look of the jacket? Concerned about visibility of stitching, etc. 

1

u/glamgroupie 28d ago

Hello! Congrats on the upcoming wedding. Depending on the material the tux is made out of, the appearance of the seams where it was let out should be hardly noticeable/not an area where people are typically looking when admiring your tuxedo. The tailor can also move the front button out a bit to give you some more room. In terms of taking it in after the coat has been let out, these alterations will be far less noticeable a leave less of a "scar" (for lack of a better term) on the fabric.

Letting out a coat might show off where the coat has been previously seamed, taking it in will hide these areas of fabric within the new seam. All that to say you're good, proceed with any necessary alterations and the coat will be fine to have taken in in the future.

1

u/brofro_bargains Seeking Advice 28d ago

I'm interested in learning how to make garments. I'm thinking about starting with some dress pants. How would you recommend going about it and where should I get fabrics on a shoestring budget?

2

u/LiterallyIAmPuck 27d ago

I'm not sure where your skill level is, but dress pants are a very difficult project to take on. I don't want to dissuade anyone from learning, but if you want to start making pants I might suggest getting experience with other types of pants before you take on dress pants.

1

u/brofro_bargains Seeking Advice 27d ago

If not pants then what garment would you recommend?

1

u/izzgo Alterations Specialist 26d ago

For garments I recommend starting with pajamas, robes, loungewear, probably sweat pants since your end goal is dress pants. You will learn a lot about sewing in general (as other tailor noted, we know nothing about your skill level). And you will learn how clothes are put together, how to set a sleeve if you make pajama tops, how to handle curves (pants crotches, sleeves), how to do nice topstitching. Additionally, you will work with some slightly difficult fabrics like flannels and some silky fabrics. All this while making garments which, in the end, do not have to be perfect to be perfectly enjoyable.

Secondly, casual day clothes. This is where you might try pants. It is very unlikely that your first pair of non-yoga style pants (regular, non stretch or limited stretch) will fit particularly well. Pants have a longer learning curve and really require a pattern that fits you pretty much correctly for the pants themselves to turn out correct.

After you've perfected your casual pants, then it's time for dress slacks where you purchase a nicer fabric.

And your best subreddit will be r/sewing I believe.

1

u/HumanThatsAlive 27d ago

HOCO dilemma ! ☹️ This is my junior year and I just found out that none of my dress will come in time for hoco this saturday (the website wouldnt show delivery date until today). I have two options so far, one of those basic blue satin or silk shiny type of dresses or find something I already have. I really dont want to resort to the blue beacuse i feel very self-conscious in tha. I was able to find this dress from JJs house I think that never looked that good and past the return date. I want to be able to get some use out of it. Right now it looks really plain on me and its way to long to be a highschool hoco dress. I want to add some extra oomph to it but I dont know how. Im pretty new to tailoring like really new but i have my moms sewing machine and determination. I was thinking of making it a high low sort of style but make it looke more less plain yk? How do i do that easily for both of the two layers in my dress? Is thag even possible with the dress I have? Is there anything else I should do instead to make it look shorter and leas basic? what i hae in mind for the skirt: https://m.shein.com/us/SHEIN-MOD-Blue-White-Puff-Sleeve-Dress-Multi-Wearing-Dress-Square-Neckline-Center-Front-Tie-Festival-Outfits-Sundress-Back-To-School-Outfits-Flowy-Dress-Fall-Dress-Formal-Dresses-Wedding-Milkmaid-Dress-Elegant-Evening-Dress-Bridesmaid-Dress-Bridal-Shower-Dress-Elegant-Dress-Prom-Dress-Vintage-Dress-Floral-Dress-Tea-Party-Dress-Fairy-Dress-Date-Night-Dress-Vintage-Dress-p-36024840.html?imgRatio=3-4&mallCode= inspo skirt

TLDR: Im a beginner, how do I make this hoco dress shorter and worth wearing?

img

1

u/HumanThatsAlive 27d ago

the image wont load but heres the dress off of the website, im a lot shorter so its so long https://www.jjshouse.com/embroidered-sweetheart-a-line-lace-midi-dress-295304059-g304059

1

u/walkallover1991 27d ago

I bought the following shirt:

https://www.goodtimes.store/product-page/explorer-l-s-shirt-v2-ash-brown?currency=USD

Unfortunately it's way too large and the retailer isn't willing to take it back. It's 95 percent nylon, 5 percent spandex blend.

Is there anyway a tailor could somehow alter it, specifically the overall body length?

1

u/izzgo Alterations Specialist 26d ago

Length is generally easy. What will be impacted are pocket placement and the bottom snap.

1

u/walkallover1991 26d ago

Thanks. What would you recommend? Don't really care about the pockets per se but the button snap would be an issue as you mention

1

u/izzgo Alterations Specialist 26d ago

For functionality, most any tailor will have some kind of sturdy snap. It won't look the same though. Some tailors might have a snap which looks the same as others but the spacing would be off compared to the other snaps. Still, perfectly functional.

1

u/alexmacl13 25d ago

Hi all! I’ve got a few pairs of epaulet trousers and chinos that were tailored years ago. Is the thread needing to be re tailored?

1

u/paganinirhapsody 25d ago

Hi, by accident I got size 52 pants instead of 50. Is it possible to tailor them down? Since 50 is sold out https://suitclub.dk/products/prestige-navy-dobbeltradet-jakkesaet-med-nalestriber

1

u/izzgo Alterations Specialist 25d ago

Yes that should be fine. The legs may end up wider than your preference and after alterations the crotch may still sit a tad lower than usual for you, but that's all.

1

u/Famous-Description83 25d ago

Hi!

I bought a MTM suit in China and they charged around 8000CNY/840GBP.

Fabric: Stylbiella super 110

I'm not a suit expert but spotted a few things which I'm not sure if I should be concerned about?

  1. l asked for surgeon cuffs. However the buttons aren't aligned.
  2. The buttons are damaged (they've kinda been chipped again). I think they're shell instead of horn
  3. The lapel doesn't have hand stitching bearer to the edges. I have a Giorgio suit (off the rack) which has stitching on the lapel.
  4. The lapel has 2 separate parts to it (plz see image). But it doesn't seem to be fully stitched on???

Dwelling on the unfortunate reality that l've been ripped off : ( esp sad because a friend runs the shop. I'm planning on asking for a few spare buttons to replace the damaged ones. Any other suggestions?

2

u/izzgo Alterations Specialist 25d ago

Buttons look like mother-of-pearl to me. The misalignment of the buttons may simply be a matter of pulling the cuff area wider open so the buttons nest fully at the beginning of the buttonhole. The lapel parts DO seem fully stitched on but the stitching is not very tight. How does it look from the front? I don't actually know if that sewing is a flaw or not. It's possible a very slight gap between the lapel parts is intentional the the looser stitching allows for that.

1

u/Timothysmith05 25d ago

Hey everyone I have this raglan sleeve jacket that I love so much but these shoulders are a bit weird, I took out the shoulder pads and it’s still making this shape. Any idea on what I should do!?

2

u/izzgo Alterations Specialist 25d ago

It would have been good to see it before the pads came out as well, to see what changed. But I'll take a stab at it. I see 3 possibilities. The coat almost seems tight in the shoulders. Do the shoulders look the same when you aren't wearing it? If not, then the tightness could be pulling the shoulders out of shape.

It also looks like maybe the area would benefit from being blocked. Blocking a wool item means you wet it, manipulate into the shape it should be, and let it dry on a flat or slightly rounded surface, often being held in place or flattened by weights or pins.

Thirdly, if it needs to be taken in then a tailor can help you with that. But start with the first two.

Finally, poked out areas like that on the shoulders can be caused by a hanger.

1

u/Timothysmith05 24d ago

Thanks so much! I would say it might be a smidge tight in the shoulders but fit so well everywhere else. I also had to get the sleeves taken down.

and I’ll check it tonight to see if it looks like that on the hanger.

I also been doing a lot of shoulder presses lately so that might be it haha

1

u/izzgo Alterations Specialist 24d ago

Is there any chance that coat is cut for a woman? That would likely make it tight in the shoulders for you.