Altering a Chesterfield Overcoat

[3PieceSuitGuy]

Hello,

I have been lucky and have managed to win what looks to be a tailor made Chesterfield Overcoat for the huge sum of $5.50 US on Ebay. With postage to Australia the total cost came to $50 Australian!! The downside is that the coat is a little bigger than I expected it to be and I will need to get it altered.

My body type is that I have wide shoulders and a small waist, so the nipped in waist is a great look for me. I would usually wear a 38 to 40 in a suit and overcoat, depending on the cut.

My question is can an overcoat that is probably around a 42 to 44 (was quoted as a 42) be altered down to a 38-40, and what is the best way to do it - using a tailor of course:

a) Take it in at the back and sides
b) Because it is a Chesterfield and the buttons are hidden by a placket, would moving the buttons help make the coat smaller? I tried this by pulling the coat around myself more and it fixed the problem with the body, but didn't look right from the back.
c) A combination of altering from the back and moving the buttons?
d) Have it altered another way.

Also how extensive do you think the alterations would be? Has anyone had this type of thing done before?

Thanks for your help with this Guys and Gals,

Regards,

3PC

 

[Edward]

I know naught of the technicalities... as a general rule, it's likely to end up costing you an awful lot more than the coat did to begin with, but if it's in excellent condition, you'll probably still come out ahead if you can find a good tailor who is happy to take it on...

One thing to consider... I usually go up a size with overcoats - I'm a 42R in a suit, but wear a 44" in a coat. Leaves room for the jacket to fit in comfortably and without creasing it up ...

 

[3PieceSuitGuy]

Thanks for the reply

Hey Edward,

Thanks for the reply. The situation is not as bad as I thought. I took it into a local tailorThe shoulders are basically fine, and with about 4 inches in around the sides and it will look fine. All for the princely sum of $40 Australian. He thought the coat was absolutely great for the price I had paid!

I am looking forward to wearing my new Chesterfield - it's getting cold over here!

Cheers,

Peter

 

[Edward]

Hey Edward,

Thanks for the reply. The situation is not as bad as I thought. I took it into a local tailorThe shoulders are basically fine, and with about 4 inches in around the sides and it will look fine. All for the princely sum of $40 Australian. He thought the coat was absolutely great for the price I had paid!

I am looking forward to wearing my new Chesterfield - it's getting cold over here!

Cheers,

Peter

Excellent! You need to post a photo here when it's done....