Tail Jacket Alterations

[ZPomeroy]

Has anyone had any experience with this? I am in need of getting my tail jacket taken in as i have lost a considerable amount of weight around my stomach and my shoulders have grown  I'm interested to know how expensive it would be as well as whether it would be worth it, and any advice people may have with going through with something like this..

Zac

[QPO]

I think it depends on where you go, we have alot of alternation shops in the city but technically they would have to deconstruct the garment and do it again. Then it may be cheaper to get another. you will have to get a quote

[elisedance]

Has anyone had any experience with this? I am in need of getting my tail jacket taken in as i have lost a considerable amount of weight around my stomach and my shoulders have grown  I'm interested to know how expensive it would be as well as whether it would be worth it, and any advice people may have with going through with something like this..

Zac

DON"T get anyone but a specialist to do this - in particular the shoulders.  Men's tails are engineered to ensure that the shoulders do not rise when you put your arms out and this can only be adjusted by an expert.

I agree with Q though that you may be out of luck - this is a major operation and it could be cheaper to get a new suit..

[maccer]

I had my son's first set of tails taken in some years ago. There's a guy here is Brisbane who was the state ballroom champion in the 1970s, who works at Stuarts the Suit Specialist. He knows all there is to know about tailoring and did an excellent job for about $80. As I said, that was a few years ago as my son is now 21 and I know you don't live in Brissie, but I thought you should know that it is possible.

[ZPomeroy]

Does anyone know of anyone in Victoria who would do this sort of alteration, i asked at Dancewear Australia but they could only give me a New Zealand company, which isn't ideal... would really love to do a face to face sort of thing so that i can get it perfectly right

Zac

[QPO]

Does anyone know of anyone in Victoria who would do this sort of alteration, i asked at Dancewear Australia but they could only give me a New Zealand company, which isn't ideal... would really love to do a face to face sort of thing so that i can get it perfectly right

Zac

If I hear of anything zac I will let you know...but I have heard of nothing have you checked with some of the other top dancers to see who they use. perhaps go to an old Italian tailor, they are quite knowledgeable

[elisedance]

Does anyone know of anyone in Victoria who would do this sort of alteration, i asked at Dancewear Australia but they could only give me a New Zealand company, which isn't ideal... would really love to do a face to face sort of thing so that i can get it perfectly right

Zac

If I hear of anything zac I will let you know...but I have heard of nothing have you checked with some of the other top dancers to see who they use. perhaps go to an old Italian tailor, they are quite knowledgeable

I replied to this elsewhere - I really don't think that is a good idea.  It does not matter how good the tailor, if they don't understand dance-jacket mechanics they will make a mess of it - the first thing they will do is let out the arms to give you room to move - and they will (metaphorically) pat you on the head and tell you they've been in the industry for 40 years and know a bit about jackets.

Only let a trained ballroom tail-suit specialist touch that jacket... 

[Rugby]

You are so right ee.  I had a friend that took me to his tailor to try and explain ballroom suits to him.  The tailor didn't listen to what he was trying to tell him.  I went and explained the mechanics of the jacket and the tailor told me he has been making suits for I forget how many years.  I told him that he has been making suits for many years but not dance suits.  When I expalined the reason why they were made as they were and showed him on some of his suits why they didn't work for dancing he backed down and listened but still was hesitant.  We left and I told my friend to forget it as he was too locked in his ways.  I don't know if he ever did get the suit made or not.

[elisedance]

Same thing happened to someone I knew before I moved here.  A good dance jacket was rendered useless by an over-confident tailor. 

In days of yore it was compulsory for men to wear a jacket in syllabus - so the guy who could afford a real dance jacket always beat the guy who wore a regular suit one.  Since the former were prohibitively expensive guys would try to have a regular suit jacket tailored to flatten the shoulders - I don't know how many good suit jackets were ruined nor even if it ever worked. 

[QPO]

You are so right ee.  I had a friend that took me to his tailor to try and explain ballroom suits to him.  The tailor didn't listen to what he was trying to tell him.  I went and explained the mechanics of the jacket and the tailor told me he has been making suits for I forget how many years.  I told him that he has been making suits for many years but not dance suits.  When I expalined the reason why they were made as they were and showed him on some of his suits why they didn't work for dancing he backed down and listened but still was hesitant.  We left and I told my friend to forget it as he was too locked in his ways.  I don't know if he ever did get the suit made or not.

well if they dont listen you are right not to let them touch it! unless they can explain the difference between the two it is out the door quick smart

[ZPomeroy]

Thought i would just let everyone know, finally got around to organizing an appointment for today with an alterer. Went well and she seems to know exactly what she is talking about, will end up costing $170 or so for the complete alterations and fixes it needs, but was looking real good all pinned in. Get to pick them up in 2 weeks which was surprising, thought it would have taken much longer..

Zac

[QPO]

Thought i would just let everyone know, finally got around to organizing an appointment for today with an alterer. Went well and she seems to know exactly what she is talking about, will end up costing $170 or so for the complete alterations and fixes it needs, but was looking real good all pinned in. Get to pick them up in 2 weeks which was surprising, thought it would have taken much longer..

Zac

good news.. glad it worked out well...at least finding someone.... I hope you will be happy with the results

[SwingWaltz]

Look forward to seeing you in your new tails at Prem!

[QPO]

Look forward to seeing you in your new tails at Prem!

ah the premier....perhaps next year.

[ZPomeroy]

Got them back today, fit really well!! can't wait for premiere now!!! If anyone is interested i went to "seams impossible" in Cheltenham, very good! If you can't tell i'm very excited that they finally fit lol

Zac