Need Tips for Cutting Down a Man's Tweed Jacket

[Merry_Fox]

I have a beautiful tweed jacket that I inherited from my father. It is in excellent condition but is too large for me by at least two to three sizes. What are the pitfalls of trying to have it cut down to fit? It’s not terribly large on me in the shoulders but obviously is cut straight through the body and too long in the sleeves. Any suggestions or cautions that I should be aware of from those who have gone before me? I do have an excellent seamstress that I will work with but she isn’t a horse person or expert in riding specific clothes so I would like to go in armed with ideas.

Thank you!

[Ceylon_Star]

you should be able to have darts put into the body in such a way that they can be let out again if you gain any weight or need to add a safety vest under it. Same with the sleeves, they should be able to be hemmed in a way that lets them be let back down in the future.

That’s what I had done to a tailscoat I inherited from my grandpa, and when I’ve needed to let it out or take it in more, it’s been easy to have done

[T-storm_chick]

Do you have a hunt coat (frock coat or melton) or a show coat you can take for her to see? That should help give her an idea. Also, when you try on your Dad’s coat, show her how you have to move when you jump a fence, move your shoulders, etc. There is no reason the coat can’t be redone to fit you beautifully, but to get the best job it probably will not be quick or cheap. Depending on how far off the fit is, the lining will have to come out and she may have to mostly diss-assemble it to cut down each piece of the coat proportionately and put the darts in. Then she will have to re-assemble it and possibly make a new lining for it. If she is willing to do that you will have essentially a custom coat that should be lovely! Good luck.

[2ndyrgal]

It will have to be almost taken apart and recut

If your seamstress is good, she will be able to do that, it will not be quick nor cheap, but, you’ll love the result. Take a coat that fits you as you wish this one to when it is finished, so she has a reference. A skilled person will make the plaid match as well. I’ve had one done and love it, but it was nearly as dear as having bought another.

[Equibrit]

Before ruining a perfectly good men’s jacket you need to do the following. Compare the main features of that jacket (collar, buttons, chest pocket, hip pockets etc) because they will be different in a woman’s hacking jacket. Making the necessary changes may cost more than a nice used hacking jacket on ebay.

[Merry_Fox]

Great Suggestions!

Thank you all for the suggestions. I do have a tweed that fits me well that I can take along for comparison purposes and I will take the time to lay them out side by side to see how different they might be (how much work it might take).

I’m not in a great hurry on this project–this was a old jacket that my father wore decades ago that he has kept in a closet and has had a hard time parting with over the years. He remembers when he bought it because of the cost at the time (and I suspect that’s why he has held onto it!). When I saw the material, style and buttons I was blown away by the quality. If it can easily be altered I think I’ll have a go at it but if it becomes too expensive vs. buying something new and ready made I might hold off.

[gypsymare]

Find a seamstress well recommended that has taken in a hacking jacket before. I ruined a gorgeous tweed I bought off ebay. The tailoring was AWFUL.

[Merry_Fox]

The good news is that upon closer inspection and comparison the man’s tweed in question is actually a pretty good fit without any major alteration. The shoulders are a tad wide but that works well for layers and jumping. The sleeves are just a bit long but again that’s a minor point and I really thing that if my seamstress can adjust the body, add darts for shape and add one more button hole I will have a nice repurposed jacket. I’m rather excited–I’ll have to take before and after pictures.