Just how much can something be tailored?

[Jerekson]

I've got a beautiful double-breasted sport coat that I bought a year or so ago. Simply stunning material and colors...a mid grey with burgundy pinstripes. Every time I see it I practiaclly cry because I can't wear it - it's exactly one size too big for me and I am so close to being able to wear it it's not even funny, but every time I put it on it just looks...well, it looks too big.

I was going to take it in to the taiolr to see what could be done, because frankly I'm fed up with staring at it and not being able to wear it.

Which leads to my question. Could I have it taken in one size all around? Shoulders, waist, sleeves, and most importantly, chest.
I thought it would be out of the question, but after seeing Thunder's thread about converting a one-button DB into a two-button with such awesome results...I began to wonder.

Just how much can something be modifed?

 

[John in Covina]

The tailor should be able to tell if it will work or if it is too much and will ruin the lines when they grab the areas of the jacket to see how much needs to be done. It may depend on the percentage of change since taking in a 52 suit to a 50 is less than 40 to a size 38.

 

[DerMann]

I'm fairly interested in this as well.

I was able to buy a full three piece linen suit for $50, but the jacket was only available at 52R, and I wear a 48L.

Is it fairly safe to assume that a competent tailor should be able to reduce it down to a usable size?

 

[Tomasso]

Could I have it taken in one size all around? Shoulders, waist, sleeves, and most importantly, chest.

The biggest obstacle in shoulder and chest reduction is the breast pocket placement. The more you take in, the closer the breast pocket moves toward the arm hole. IMO, there's very little room for reduction before things start looking out of whack. I would recommend, as a rule, that if the shoulders don't fit, put the jacket down and look for another.