Need Suit Help!

[kpreed]

I am a 44 short and did not notice until late that when I stand all looks fine, but in my wheelchair (occupied by me 100% of the time now) it seems kind of short. I am all for a little cuff showing on the shirt, but all the cuff now? My pants now look like I am waiting for a flood. My question is will a 44 regular fix my problem and if so where to get one? All my suits have been vintage (1940's) double breasted and dark. Any Ideas? Thank You!

 

[luvthatlulu]

kpreed

You have asked a very interesting and puzzling question, and I'm afraid there isn't going to be a simple answer to it.

My first reaction would be to tell you to stick with whatever size best fits you now when standing--even if that is only on a rare occasion now. That's your size. On any future occasions where you might wish to stand that's what will look best on you. It would be impossible to instantly correct an ill-fitted suit for standing purposes should the need or moment arise to do so.

On the other hand, you say that you are confined "100% of the time now" to the wheelchair. I hope you meant that figuratively rather than literally. Still, I know you want to look your best when seated as well and are concerned about your appearance when doing so. People who work in certain professions often have their clothing altered to present a better appearance when seated (newscasters, for example) and you may want to try some of their tricks. Your tailor can advise you there, better than I. Just have him/her make minor adjustments while seated after the initial fitting.

Under the circumstances, I think most people you come in contact with would/should overlook the problems that you are clearly concerned about. Remember: We all wear our "standing suits" when we sit down, too. We all have the same problems with our cuffs and socks, too. Just wear nice socks and a nice shirt with great cuffs and anyone else who is concerned beyond that needs to get a life. That's my humble opinion.

--Not the Lulu

 

[kpreed]

Thank You.

I thank you for your ideas. No, literally I am in this wheelchair 100% of the time now. I hope someday not to need this chair, but now it looks like no other way for me, right now. I plan on keeping the suit I have now for someday later, but I do feel really, a bit uncomfortable in the shortness of my suit right now and wonder if a regular in my size would cover my wrist and shins more.

 

[luvthatlulu]

OK...

I better understand your question now.

A 44R will have longer sleeves and a longer trouser leg as it comes off the rack than a 44S. The exact amount of difference will vary among the makes.

If you are unable to buy or locate a 44S with enough sleeve length to suit your purpose, you will need to go to a 44R for that reason alone. The same is true if you usually do not have enough fabric in the trouser to cuff at the desired length.

Can the sleeves and/or trouser legs be lengthened on the current suit to avoid buying a jacket that may be too long in the body though?

--Not the Lulu

 

[kpreed]

I did see if my suit could be made longer, but there is not enough fabric. It really looks like a new suit is in my future.

 

[luvthatlulu]

That's settled then. My advice is:

1. Seek out and establish a relationship with a great tailor.

2. Seek out and find a great salesperson to properly fit you in a suit of your true size.

3. Have the great tailor alter the properly sized suit to your tastes whether it be standing or sitting. I believe the actual difference should be very minor for the reason I gave in my first response; basically compensating for any bunching/bulging of the jacket collar/lapels when seated, the natural rise of the sleeve when the elbow is bent, and the rising of the trouser leg when the leg is bent while seated. This occurs to some extent on all suits naturally, but you are particularly sensitive to it (understandably) and some modification can be made to make you feel better about it.

--Not the Lulu

 

[kpreed]

Sounds good,:eusa_clap thank you!

 

[luvthatlulu]

P. S. - If that's you pictured in the avatar...SHARP, sir, very SHARP!

 

[kpreed]

Yup That is me and my partner.

Thank you, that is me, but a good example is this picture from last weekend. Notice even as I had a dark shirt you can tell the jacket sleeve is way to short and I cropped the leg part out, so no one would go snow blind.

 

[luvthatlulu]

Thank you, that is me, but a good example is this picture from last weekend. Notice even as I had a dark shirt you can tell the jacket sleeve is way to short and I cropped the leg part out, so no one would go snow blind.

Still sharper than most these days!

"Snow blinded" by your socks???? Tell me, please, you aren't matching your socks to your hat, are you?lol lol lol

If so, I think the solution to your problem may be a lot simpler than we thought!

 

[luvthatlulu]

You know what...

...the more I look at the picture the less I agree you need a new suit. Even if the shirt were white, I don't think the amount of cuff showing is excessive for the situation. What I would suggest is finding and wearing a set of unique and interesting cufflinks, very tasteful (not large, flashy or gaudy). Let that be your "signature", so to speak, like Tom Wolfe's high collars. The trousers...well, can't judge...but need to be long enough to hide any bare leg showing above the socks, if that's the problem.

--Not the Lulu

 

[kpreed]

Not that bad!

I have nothing against white socks, but not with a suit. No I cropped from the photo my very pale shins.

 

[Orgetorix]

If you can afford to have a new suit custom-made, one thing comes to mind that may help with the sleeve issue, at least. As is mentioned so often here, a higher, smaller, well-fitted armhole will result in the shoulders, collar, and the whole upper part of the jacket staying put where it should be, on your neck and shoulders, even when you're sitting down. This will help your cuffs not ride up so much.

Also, perhaps you could go with a full, but not excessive, break on the trousers. This would give you a little more coverage when sitting in your chair, but wouldn't look too sloppy if you do stand. Also, you may want to think about going to over-the-calf socks.

 

[MrBern]

You know a lot of celebrities have this problem when they are on the Tonight SHow.
SeanConnery once explained that when he crossed his legs while being interviewed, his shins were blinding America. He switched to Knee-Hi over the calf socks.

It doesnt solve your tailoring question, but it is a quick fix.

And theyre actually in style right now.

 

[dostacos]

I am a 44 short and did not notice until late that when I stand all looks fine, but in my wheelchair (occupied by me 100% of the time now) it seems kind of short. I am all for a little cuff showing on the shirt, but all the cuff now? My pants now look like I am waiting for a flood. My question is will a 44 regular fix my problem and if so where to get one? All my suits have been vintage (1940's) double breasted and dark. Any Ideas? Thank You!

in part it will depend on how you enter and exit the chair. {been there DOING that too} If you do a sliding transfer that may cause the pant to ride up giving you the high tide look. I spend the day in a power chair and can stand, limited walking [very limited] and my pants are the same length as when I was a TAB [ Temporarily able bodied ] so first I would see if repositioning in the chair can help the issue. Since people generally get shorter as they get older I suspect it may be a positioning issue.

If you are buying suits already tailored it may just be that you are taller than the other guy, and you never noticed the short pants while standing.

Just a thought,

Dan

 

[dostacos]

Thank you, that is me, but a good example is this picture from last weekend. Notice even as I had a dark shirt you can tell the jacket sleeve is way to short and I cropped the leg part out, so no one would go snow blind.

in the picture it looks like the sleeve of the right arm is pushed up more than the left, also a 44 short may not be a suit problem but a shirt that has sleeves too long.

I always have to buy shirts with arms 2inches too long to get the neck I need and THAT gives me the same issue that you have.

My problem is getting the jacket sides to lay nice in the chair and you have that flat KNOCKED:eusa_clap unless you are showing skin on the legs, the pants are probably ok too. [buy longer socks?[huh] ]

Dan

 

[Vintage Betty]

Thank you, that is me, but a good example is this picture from last weekend. Notice even as I had a dark shirt you can tell the jacket sleeve is way to short and I cropped the leg part out, so no one would go snow blind.

Actually, I think you look fine and that suit is great. What I did notice in your picture is that the jacket sleeve is riding up, thus giving the appearance of being short-cuffed.

So, with the above post in mind, is this something that is natural during your day, or can you pull the sleeve down when appropriate?

Obviously, you need to power your chair. And you need to go about your daily routine. But is the fit of your jacket interferring with you powering your chair as well? If that's the case, the shortening of the armholes might make your daily routine more difficult, even if it does solve your fashion problems. [huh]

Vintage Betty

 

[Vintage Betty]

in the picture it looks like the sleeve of the right arm is pushed up more than the left, also a 44 short may not be a suit problem but a shirt that has sleeves too long.

I always have to buy shirts with arms 2inches too long to get the neck I need and THAT gives me the same issue that you have.

My problem is getting the jacket sides to lay nice in the chair and you have that flat KNOCKED:eusa_clap unless you are showing skin on the legs, the pants are probably ok too. [buy longer socks?[huh] ]

Dan

Oops - only saw this post after I posted the above reply.

Here's a small trick the ladies use: put small fishing weights in the corners of your jacket lining to make it fall into place. One in each corner of the back flap of the jacket will make it naturally fall. It only takes a few ounces, no need to go overboard with the weights, especially if they will make moving around more difficult.

VB

 

[kpreed]

Thank You all!

I have seen many good ideas and thank everyone. I am a bit new at this wheelchair thing and I am pretty sure my suit fit is more my own problem, then any viewer's problem. I really wish someone everyone knows would try a wheelchair for a day and tell of the many problems being in a wheelchair can be, because I find most folks are totally clueless, never being in one.

 

[Vintage Betty]

I have seen many good ideas and thank everyone. I am a bit new at this wheelchair thing and I am pretty sure my suit fit is more my own problem, then any viewer's problem. I really wish someone everyone knows would try a wheelchair for a day and tell of the many problems being in a wheelchair can be, because I find most folks are totally clueless, never being in one.

I'm sure that we can find another vintage-loving gentleman in a wheelchair on the Lounge to offer pointers to assist, just give it a bit of time hmmm? The other option is to maybe try to find a style that adapts well to your current chair? I'll give it some thought, if you like. Depending on your personal style and habits, perhaps a pullover sweater might be easier than a suit jacket?

As to the wheelchair for a day, many years ago I took a friend Christmas shopping and a movie, and she was in a wheelchair. It was one of the most difficult shopping experiences of my life. It's my belief that every City Planner needs to spend the day in a wheelchair too, roaming around their own town.

In the meantime, here's some very interesting links that might assist for the future:

Adaptive clothing patterns (wheelchair)

Fashion Freaks

Google Search for more links

~Vintage Betty