Over the past six months I’ve used the Soho workshop Pinnas & Needles for several alterations - from the simple to the complex - and feel I can now fully recommend them.
Being able to satisfyingly alter clothing, so it sorts out a problem or suddenly fits again, is a crucial part of looking after quality clothes - and Pinnas & Needles have been accurate, professional and reliable.
Located on the first floor of an old building on Lexington Street, the workshop is run by the Italian twins Pio and Francesco. They originally trained in Italy and the UK, worked in-house at Mark Marengo, and since 2010 have run their own operation.
Pretty much all the work is done in-house, which is helpful as it has meant that - for example - a quick change to a button or tweak to an alteration can be done while I waited.
And the prices reflect the level of the work: from £16 to finish a pair of trousers with a turn-up, to £140 for a complex piece of lining work.
I’ve highlighted three of the alterations I took in here, to demonstrate the quality and the range.
First, shown above, is the turn-up on a pair of trousers. They are black cords, from Berg & Berg in Sweden, and came unhemmed (as you’d want, in order to get the length perfect).
I wanted them finished with a 5cm turn-up, and after ascertaining that there was enough cloth to do this the proper way (doubled over on the outside, then tucked inside), Fran(cesco) took measurements.
Usefully, he both measured my inside leg and the inside leg of the trousers I was wearing (as I was happy with that length). The one served to confirm the other, and the result was that the final cords were perfect.
I actually tried them on with a little basting thread still left on the outside, which Fran then took off when we established they were correct.
The work inside was neat and functional. Overlocked stitched rather than sewn by hand - as perhaps a Savile Row pair of trousers might be - but well done and great value for £16.
The second piece of work was more complex.
I love this Gloverall duffle coat of mine, and wear it often with more casual tailoring (see article on it worn with a tweed jacket). But it’s not the easiest thing to get on and off when wearing tailoring - because there’s no lining in the body or sleeves.
I therefore asked the twins if they could put a navy lining in the top of the back, and the sleeves.
The price for the work was fairly high (£140) but when I saw afterwards what they had done, it made sense.
Rather than just simply tack the lining to the coat, they unpicked the seams and worked the lining underneath all the way around the top of the back, the armhole, and the cuffs.
They then tacked it by hand across the middle of the back, so there was room for it to move. And they reattached the Gloverall label on top of the lining, with the result that it looks like the lining was always there.
When I picked up the coat, I also thought the lining was a little loose, as it bellowed outwards on either side of my chest, when the coat was open. This was another change that was made while I waited.
I think this alteration in particular is a good example of the kind of work I would never trust to a local dry-cleaner, who would be unlikely to have real tailoring experience.
Finally, the alteration above was also on a pair of trousers, but more complex.
I bought this vintage pair of army chinos at Le Vif in Paris a while ago, but found the leg too wide for me. I ummed and erred about changing it (hence my inclusion of the question of alterations in our vintage week articles) and finally decided I should.
Of course the thing you want to avoid with altering vintage, if possible, is to change the appearance of the seams - both because it won’t look as nice, and because it will make the alteration more obvious.
So we discussed how much could be taken out of the leg just from the back - so the back side would slide under the front, and leave the appearance of the seam unchanged.
The twins were very helpful here, and I brought in a pair of my old Armoury chinos as a reference of how wide the leg would ideally be. (Something I’d always recommend if you want the fit altered on clothing.)
The result was again, perfect, as you can see in the images above. Or rather not see, as the seam looks unchanged. That work cost £100.
The twins also do some bespoke tailoring themselves, but I haven’t tried that nor seen any in person. I also haven’t tried them for anything complex on a tailored jacket.
The workshop is often busy, but I had to wait between one and three weeks for the various alterations, which was fine for me.
They have a website, and you can email or call. But I would suggest just turning up, ringing the buzzer, and going up to ask about any alteration you have in mind.
There is a full list of resources for cleaning, alterations and repairs that I have tried and can recommend, here.
Do add any places you would personally recommend below, or on that more general article. I know others always appreciate it.
Valet stand pictured from Honorific
I like the attention to detail on the duffle coat.It is a very good sign of the tailor’s approach to any item of clothing when the finished garment looks as if it has never been altered.
I once gave a guy an overcoat and asked him to renew the velvet collar.The coat was returned with the collar sewn in by hand and doubled over underneath as a traditional bespoke tailor would have done.I knew then that the chap was a craftsman with high standards and I could trust him with my other garments.
A slight side question, but how do you find the quality of the Berg and Berg trousers?
Good – perhaps not quite at the level of the others we’ve covered recently nearer £300, but good quality and very good value.
Only thing I’d change if I could is to have 100% cotton. I know others like the little bit of stretch but personally I prefer without.
Why do you prefer without the stretch Simon?
Because I find 100% cotton hangs better and ages better, and I don’t need the stretch unless the trousers are very slim (which has other issues) or I’m never prepared to give them a quick iron/press.
Most corduroy cloth these days has a tiny amount of elastine. I’ve got bespoke trousers made at 100% cotton and 98% cotton (the norm for those that have it) and frankly couldn’t tell the difference.
‘Sorry to extend the side comment; but I find the side adjusters on the Berg trousers to be a bit bazaar and an all too obvious money-saving technique. I am all for money saving techniques, but prefer them to be more inconspicuous. The belted trousers are great.
Glad they are getting credit where due. Annoying that my best local soho resource is only going to get busier though…
Good alteration tailors are hard to find here where I live in the north west.
There used to be a Savile Row trained guy but he retired a few years ago.
Anyone with experience of their bespoke would be invaluable to chat to…
Work looks really great.
I use and recommend the Hidalgo Brothers on Savile Row to pretty much every and anyone that will listen Christian is really hospitable, they’re super quick and very affordable before that I was using Atelier Colpani on Avery Row also very good in my experience.
I’m going to check these guys out though as I have a pair of similar trousers that I’m going to need altering.
It’s very interesting to learn of the correct way to add turn ups to trousers
Thanks for the recommendation and tips as always.
Thanks. I always found Colpani fairly functional – hard to really talk about alterations knowledgeably
I was also interested in Simon’s brief description of the “proper way” to finish trousers with turn-ups. All the pants I have with turn-ups, including those made or finished by tailors, are a single sewn fold, not doubled over and tucked inside. Does anyone have thoughts about the relative virtues of each of these methods? And wouldn’t Simon’s way create a too-bulky trouser bottom on thicker fabrics? I am in the U.S., if that is relevant.
Thanks!
I’m also interested in this. Simon, could you clarify what you mean or perhaps include a diagram? On all of my tailored trousers the fabric is tucked inside first and then folded over on the outside, so that there are four layers of fabric in total.
I don’t have a diagram D, but what you describe is what I mean too
Hi Simon,
How do the Berg & Berg cords compare to the similar style from Cordings? Are they worth twice the price? (Cordings cords, and their molehair, flat front pants w side adjusters, are an excellent value, methinks.) Thank you.
I don’t have the Cordings I’m afraid. But I’d hazard a guess they’re solid material, basically made but great value, and with very little awareness of anything related to modern style – but that may not be a problem if it’s a style you like
Cordings are solid and as Simon mentions not that modern an aesthetic so you will likely need to alter by tapering the leg. The cord and moleskin are cut differently, but both on the more accommodating side. The seat is also generous but if you size down you may avoid a more expensive alteration there. I believe they source their material from Brisbane Moss.
Hi Simon, does this mean you’ve stopped using Graham Browne for alterations? If so, why?
Partly distance – I’m no longer within walking distance – and partly because I haven’t needed any complicated alterations for a while.
I have been a very happy client of theirs for the past year or so. My first introduction to them has been through Styleforum. The twins have actually helped me with shoulder alterations with some of my second hand RTW suits – a tricky alteration process – which have turned out great, overall.
More importantly, they have been honest with me whenever alterations are not possible which is probably when they won me over.
Nice point
Can’t recommend these guys enough. Haven’t used them for a while (due to not having to wear tailored clothes to work anymore), but always go to them when I need alterations. Genuinely nice guys too.
A great tip for those flaneurs living in London.
Here’s one for those in SW Surrey :
‘Stitched In Time’
Borelli Yard, Farnham GU97NU
Ph: 01252733557
Proprietor: Kristel
Standard of work is excellent.
Hi Simon,
I live in Los Angeles County, United States. My 2 favorite local alterations tailors are 2 gentlemen that my Father and I have both used to different extents for the better part of the last 25-plus years. My Father used to use Stassart Tailors, and they are quite good. I’ve got satisfactory work from him on multiple occasions and he is very knowledgeable. I would trust him to do work with linings of coats.
My favorite alterations tailor, and incidentally, the one who costs more, is Arman, at Jerry’s Tailors in North Hollywood, CA. His work is exceptional! His turn around time is typically a week or less for a single garment, and he offers a rush service at a very nominal surcharge. He has mended plush silk velvet smoking jackets for me so that tears could not even be seen, he has relined jackets, immaculately, he has even completely re-made and re-fitted my Great Grandfather’s frock coat for me so that it fits perfectly! That is no small feat, as it is a body coat! He even was able to taper the sleeves perfectly after re-aligning those! His work on sleeves is masterful and artistic. The price was not nominal, but it was well worth the investment. He has completely remade several suits for me that were in need of extensive work for one reason or another, and he did so skillfully and beautifully! He managed to alter a pair of trousers that went to my Grandfather’s dinner jacket! I have rather wide hips, and a rather tiny waist; there is a 3 inch drop from my hip to my high waist, and the waist needed to be taken in perhaps 5.5 inches! His skillful work saved the suit, and it was done without deforming or displacing the silk braid up the side of the leg, and without making them excessively narrow either. Better yet, his wife had done the work, and they flared slightly at the end as she had missed one of his markings, and when he saw this, he immediately fixed the quirky fit in less than 7 minutes. I am immensely satisfied with his work, and refer all of my friends, family, and clients to this very friendly and skilled craftsman.
Thanks, Simon. Another really helpful article in this fantastic series – as a Londoner, I have already heeded your recommendations of Michael Norman, Jaunty Flaneur and Graham Browne. I have some Ede & Ravenscroft off-the-peg suit trousers, which I find too wide but their in-house tailors won’t slim. Is this the type of work for which you would recommend Pinnas & Needles?
Yes, certainly Simon, they’d be great for that. Make sure to take in a pair of trousers where you like the leg line, for reference
Both Hidalgo Brothers (Savile Row) and Pinnas & Needles are good. Hidalgo have a downloadable PDF price list for most alterations.
Now trying out a proper bespoke tailor in Shortlands, Kent.
I stay clear of dry cleaners who do alterations.
The twins are extremely competent and very pleasant to deal withJ. I am long retired but in my hey-day I had many suits and sports jacket made by Anderson and Shepard and the diaspora mainly Brian Russell. Things move on and the jackets were too long shoulders too wide trousers baggy etc. The twin have altered these to look to my eye at least like new. The interest and care from them has been consistently excellent.
It’s fun to read something like this and to see what you bring to your alteration tailor. I don’t have any experience with bespoke but use my lokal alteration tailor a lot for pretty complex alterations.
The tailor were I bring my stiff to used to be a bespoke tailor so I guess I’m lucky. I had trousers sometimes made two sizes smaller in the past. If I found a really good vintage garment I just had to try make it work. It was a hobby I guess. Now I don’t bring these sort of extreme alterations to him anymore but like mentioned in the comment section here before, buying trousers for a good price in good material can be changed in style pretty easy by slimming down the enkle with for example. That’s the reason I do have a few pairs of cordings trousers and a lot of military vintage trousers that look somewhat modern because I changed the style.
Wondering how your military trousers came out fit wise.
Nice to hear Jasper, thanks.
They came out well actually, I think the key was copying a leg line of something I already had, so there was no guessing as to what would look good.
I have used them a few times, but found their opening hours unpredictable in practice and they don’t often answer the telephone.
Hi Dave,
We always try to answer the phone but sometime we can’t as way too busy seeing the customers, there’s always our email where we get back as soon as we get free.
Also our opening are mon-fri 9-6, if we are away we do put a note on the front door.
Best
Pio&Fran.
Hi Simon, I heard B&B trousers tend to be snug. What’s your take on this? Which size did you end up picking?
Mine weren’t snug, it was a nice leg line – though ideally I’d have a slightly lower rise perhaps.
I took a 48
Hi Simon, how difficult of an alteration is lengthening the sleeves on a jacket?
Have you seen our video covering all these areas AJ?
It’s here if you want a look.
Slightly off topic, but I’d be quite curious as to how you’d style those black cords.
They’ll be pretty niche, but I’d wear black or dark-brown suede loafers, probably a pale-blue shirt rather than white, grey or oatmeal knitwear or jacket – or most colours that are fairly dark and muted. Dark olive would be nice
Run, don’t walk, with your alteration needs to Luke Saava in Tottenham Court Road. By a country mile the best alteration tailor in London, Luke has a great feel for clothes and will happily reshape jackets and change shoulders. Terrific guy too.
I was recommended these guys when I needed a RTW suit altered. From memory the twins took over from someone who died perhaps 10 years ago. They are v nice. The shop / workspace is utilitarian with nothing flash – you get changed behind a curtain. Over the years I’ve had a fair few RTW suits and coats altered by them. Always an excellent job and fairly priced. Also good when they told me the price of some work would not be worth it. My brother and Bro in Law have used them as well. I might try them for a bespoke jacket.
Echoing others comments, the twins at Pinnas and Needles are great. They also do all the work for Bestaff locally, so can handled items like heavy waxed cotton jackets (they recently helped me return a favourite jacket I bought at peak weight to service)
Having been among those who protested the word “flaneur” for this blog’s readership, but also having found that such protests left the poster who’s a soi-disant flaneur unperturbed, I withdraw my objections as a gentleman ought. To do so gracefully, I append an ODE TO THE FLÂNEUR, taken from a half-sheet of foxed paper found in an old tailor’s etui in Mayfair some decades ago, and written in an early 19th-century hand with a crow quill, by the look of it.
ODE TO THE FLÂNEUR
He stalks in booty like a knight
For the best-clad lads and smart-set guys,
In Kiton suit, Berluti boots,
And the soie of Charvet’s soigné ties.
He’s Brummel’s heir in savoir-faire,
Modèle pour tous les hommes à suivre,
He steals the show, he ties the Beau—
Et qui n’est pas son Vrai Believre?
He buys and buys for the by and by,
Scorning meanly going broke.
Eternity sits sleek on him,
And should: he ordered it bespoke.
O saunter on, flaneur, flâneur,
Avec ou moins le circonflex!
Enjoy thy jaunt and condign flaunt,
Sure cynosure of every sex!
With hand near heart thy grace impart
To earners of wages, from en haut:
“Bon ton’s le bon, le bon’s bon ton—
That’s all I know and all I need to know.”
Hi Simon,
Do you know if they (or anyone else) can shorten the sleeves on a bonded Mackintosh raincoat? Concerned that as it’s a glued garment that tying to do so will cause issues?
Thanks
Well it would be an issue if you needed to replace the sealed seam or add more. But if you were just shortening the sleeves from the cuffs that shouldn’t be needed?
Just shorten – I was concerned that cutting the end of a taped seam might cause it to come loose – but I’l go in and ask.
I don’t think that would be a problem, but ask the tailor’s opinion
Hi Simon,
we do work on bonded/glued garments so shortening the sleeves of your coat won’t be a problem.
Thanks
Pio&Fran
Like Kerin O’Connor – I take all my clients to Savva Tailors in Tottenham Court Road for alterations. They’re great, but it’s good to have alternative places and I’ve been meaning to try Pinnas & Needles for awhile.
Great post , Simon. Saved me some research time.
Out of curiosity: if bespoke, why not take the item back to the original tailor?
Because the tailor is often foreign and doesn’t visit often, sometimes not at all
Wonderful article and a joy to read! We bring our clients to Pinnas and Needles, sometimes with highly complex fitting issues. Their work is perfection guaranteed. Such lovely people too.
Glad to come across this, it’s well deserved credit. The most impressive alteration they’d done for me was to take down a RTW jacket bought on clearance down a size or two. Flawless work. Most of my other needs were taking trousers in and out as my diet yo-yos. I (sadly) no longer have to wear suits to work but I can’t recommend their work enough.
Worth noting Ken (and others) that the twins are also doing a free pick-up service at the moment for alterations. I’m sending off a couple of things to be done today
I have now used them for shoulder alterations on two jackets and for a pair of trousers (taking in the waist). The service and craftmanship is superb, and, both cheaper and, dare I say, better than a Saville Row tailor who did similar alterations for me. I will definitely use them going forward.
OK time for a positive comment.
The work looks excellent Simon – I hate doing alterations so it’s reassuring to see drudgery like this undertaken with a level of forethought and professionalism that you don’t get from a dilettante.
Hello Simon, I also have a vintage pair of army trousers which I never wear for the same reasons you did not. I decided on getting it altered and I was wondering something. If I understand well, the alterations/the leg was tapered on the inside seam, am I correct?
Also, I really enjoyed the new fit they now have, as displayed in your « what I wore during lockdown » article. I was wondering if you could tell me the new measurements of the bottom leg?
Thanks in advance!
Thanks Tim, and yes that’s right – on the inside leg.
The bottom opening is now 20cm
That could be absolutely fine Jack, but it depends on what the taper is on the trousers currently. Look at the leg line as it is now, laid flat, and think about whether it would still look normal if the bottom half was 1cm wider.
It doesn’t sound bad, but it is really hard to say remotely Jack. Sorry
Hi Jack,
I struggle to visualise these things too. Perhaps lay the trousers out flat as Simon suggests but put something underneath (e.g sheets of paper) and allow them to protrude out from the trousers by 1cm to give you a sense of the silhouette?
Kind regards,
MB
Hi Simon
Two entirely separate questions here for different posts but thought I’d send them together so I’m not bombarding you with messages.
About to get a suit made with the anthology. However, having been on holiday and added to the weight put on over christmas that I had yet to drop, my waist is roughly a 34inch waist ready to wear. With a few months playing more regular sport and exercising heavily, I suspect I’ll be back down to my usual 31/32 inch waist by october. November latest. However i’m only in Taipei for 4 weeks, so getting the suit now seemed a priority. Would you advise against getting the trousers now if I’m likely to go down quite so many waist sizes so soon after? Is the alteration necessary there likely to effect the lines and shape of the trousers considerably? (Same sherry tweed as your Anthology suit, for reference)
Perhaps just getting the jacket for now would be smarter?
Also, would getting trousers made in the same material but from a different tailor here in the UK at a later stage be risky, even if I took the jacket in for reference?
Oh and finally looking to get my PS Raglan taken out a bit in the upper chest – chest growing as waist gets smaller – is there anywehre you’d recommend to get it done? Pinnas perhaps?
Thanks a lot
Hey Jackson,
I would recommend Pinnas if they have availability, yes absolutely.
On the weight loss, to be honest I would wait to have the jacket made too. Your top half will change significantly as well. I know it’s not what you want to hear, but you’ll end up having to alter that later on as well, and it’s a harder thing to change than trousers.
I’m having a similar problem. yearly. go from it’s getting painful to button trousers to having to use a bunch of adjustors. with mtm trousers it’s sort of fun. drapey in summer and more normal cut in winter. but I’m not sure if it’s worth to actually bother with bespoke and stick to mtm and accept that sometimes I’ll fit knitwear under a jacket and sometimes thinnest long sleeve polo?
Well, bespoke isn’t going to improve the problem I guess Martins, as even though it has greater potential for adjustment, you don’t want to adjust it every six months. Eventually that will destroy the cloth.
So it’s only worth going up to bespoke if you want it for other reasons, eg the craft or better fit
Oh no! Very much not what I wanted to hear.
I don’t anticipate drastic body transformation. Perhaps just a slight broadening up top and a slight narrowing in the middle. Surely nothing a few alterations couldn’t deal with with relative ease?
The anthology is probably the best quality/value I can find within my budget and easily the style I’m most taken by. I can’t think of another tailor anywhere that I like half as much, style wise. Do you think it’d be money wasted if my body is likely to change a tad over the next 6 months or should I just anticipate a few alterations?
Three inches off the waist is quite a lot of fat loss. It will change the upper body as well, though not dramatically if there aren’t lots of weights involved there.
I’d say it’s a choice for you, between getting something later that might fit 5% or 10% better, or getting something that you prefer the style of, but doesn’t fit quite as well by that much.
Thanks again.
Wow – that was a very comprehensive way of laying it out. Something certainly to think about.
I have an unfortunate metabolism for bespoke clothing. I can put on a stone in one month through a few indulgent meals and the odd bag of crisps and I can drop it just as quickly, through a few intense gym sessions and basically just eating relatively well. All the trousers I have that were becoming too loose and in need of alterations in January are now all uncomfortably tight. I’ll be considering getting them taken in again in july probably!
It’s the trousers I’m more worried about. If I can fit a shetland or sweatshirt under the jacket during the winter and wear it ever so slightly oversized in the spring, I doubt I’ll lose much sleep over it. Maybe get the waist cinched slightly if that becomes that necessary. However, I don’t want to totally ruin the lines of the trousers if going from a 34 inch waist to a 32 inch waist is too extreme a change.
Ultimately, at 6’4 I never find ready to wear that really works for me, length wise and that’s the hardest part to alter. I’ve got a Drake’s suit that I rarely wear because the length just feels off and all the alterations to make it fit more flatteringly up top seemed to only draw attention to the boxy shortness of it.
Think I’m going to be more style oriented here, as a suit that fits perfectly but from somewhere the style of which pales in comparison for me, well, that probably seems like an even worse way to spend the money. A stylish and suitably long jacket makes me think I’ll be more forgiving of a slight (and perhaps temporary) diminishment in the fit. I’ve actually been so enamoured with The Anthology’s style, that the high gorge narrower shouldered fit of Anglo-Italian and the even slimmer, high gorged fit of Saman Amel has begun to seem very uncool to me. Not a million miles away from the slim lapelled, slim all over suits from 10-15 years ago. Is that a bit harsh?
I think you’re right on the choice there, go for the style. Perhaps just make sure the Anthology guys are aware of where you’re sitting in terms of weight. Also it will be easier to wear good tailoring if you even out the habits a little! Probably healthier too.
I think you’re right that the high gorge, narrow lapel and small shouldered look is a little old now, but I’m not sure how much that applies to Anglo or SA. Both have fairly generous shoulders, though I know what you mean about the gorge height on SA
Interesting – thanks. That’s what I’ll do. Might ask if they can have them fit in all but waist size. If they are a tad tight on the waist up in July, they’ll be comfortable by the end of august.
I don’t see myself getting much bigger in terms of back or chest size realistically, but will certainly flag it with them.
As for the gorge height, I wonder if the particularly high gorge has had its day now? What do you think?
Yes I think it has. Still an argument there for slightly higher looking good on someone with sloping shoulders for example, but not taken to the kind of extremes it was in the past, definitely. And the fashion is certainly shifting the other way
That’s interesting. I certainly share your sloping shoulder situation by the way. Yet you seem to be quite a fan of the anothology style yourself? Is that something you factored in before buying with them?
Yes, but the Anthology gorge is not as high as the Saman, it’s not that extreme or noticeable I don’t think
Ah sorry, to my eyes the anthology low seemed characterfully low. Which I like a lot stylewise, but thought given what you said about sloping shoulders, it might not be the most flattering for men with our affliction?
Ah, I see. I wouldn’t say it was an extreme of low, unlike the SA. Closer to an average, and no I don’t think it makes a big difference. Like many things in tailoring, it’s worth being aware of these points, but you don’t have to follow all of them. Eg be aware turn-ups make legs look a little shorter, but still go for it if you just love turn-ups.
Yes – makes sense. Thanks!
Whilst I’ve got you by the way, I’m interested to know how much wear you got/get out of your grey herringbone trousers from the anthology? You said in the original article that you’d wear them, just not as much as the jacket. Did it work out that way?
I’m considering what I’d wear them with myself, aside from as part of a suit. I’ve got a nice navy sports jacket, but it is herringbone. Think that’s likely a no go. And a gun-club check jacket. Again, when I visualise them together, it seems dangerously busy texture/ pattern wise.
Yes, you’re right. I’ve worn them once or twice with a navy sweater on top, but they certainly haven’t been versatile and i wouldn’t wear them with a jacket
I suspected you might say that. As in you wouldn’t wear them with a jacket, or you think they are broadly unwearable with separate jackets?
I can imagine wearing them casually, but definitely struggle to see them as separate trousers
Thanks by the way for the as ever, excellent advice. Sometimes hard to believe we can get this intel free of charge!
Broadly unwearable.
And no worries, all part of the service. If you’re feeling generous just spread the word!
Have you considered having them make 2 pairs of trousers for you from the same cloth so you will account for both of your extremes?
If funds currently do not permit 2 pairs, purchasing enough of the cloth at the same time might be a good alternative to buy time before you end up at the other extreme.
(Sorry to butt in but thought it might help your decision making)
Oh and sorry, final question for you, as you said if there aren’t lots of weights involved there. You mean weightlifting right?
There will be some. Not powerlifting exactly, but certainly some lifting each week. I doubt I’ll ever be gaining serious muscle, but perhaps a slight replacement of the fat that’s there for muscle. Is that likely to dramatically effect fit in the chest/back? As I say, it’s not going to be a total transformation by any means at all.
I think it is by far the biggest thing to watch out for. If you start doing chest presses and stuff on your lats even once a week regularly, it will definitely make a difference to the fit, and it’s a much harder thing to change than your waistline.
I’d say that’s where you need to make sure you’re consistent over time.
Simon,
I have not found an article where you talk about the fatigues featured in this post.
I just bought a pair of British fatigues from Brut in Paris, and was wondering how they could be elevated and ‘dressed up’.
Is there an article on PS ?
Good point, no nothing specific. You can see them worn in this piece and i think that gives a fairly good example?
Thanks, this is what I had in mind regarding tops.
What about shoes ? Besides sneakers, what kind of leather shoes would be your options ?
Something casual like an Alden LHS in tobacco suede, or a boat shoe in suede perhaps. Even a belgian loafer to be a bit more unusual. See here on summer shoes
Comments resurrection. Pinnas & Needles are now booking for January 2023(!), with lengthy turnarounds – could anyone recommend a similarly-capable London alterations tailor to do some work on an unlined cotton canvas coat? My usual Soho go-to has seen a drop in standards.
Could you tell us who that is in Soho? Thank you.
Others worth trying are Bestline on South Molton Street, or Copperfield in Moorgate. I haven’t tried either, but have heard good things.
With Pinnas and Needles, they told me they have a workload they want to clear before Christmas plus a holiday so the wait isn’t as long when thought in those terms. Thank you to Simon for helping me find these guys! They salvaged some trousers another tailor outside of London has butchered.
Oh good, nice to hear
Thank you very much, Simon – it’s not worth a name-and-shame, just a bit of unusually untidy seaming, I’ll see how the next simple work goes. I have used Bestline in the past and can’t remember if there was any reason I haven’t since; I hadn’t realised Copperfield did alterations.
Hi Simon, any experience with Hidalgo Brothers on Savile row? Also, I need some alteration to a very nice Italian jacket that I have and was wondering if it’s better to go to an Italian tailor or any tailor would be ok. What is your view on this?
No, sorry.
Any alterations tailor would do. Ideally they’d have some experience with Italian style jackets, but chances are they will given the volume of Italian RTW out there
What a great website, which I found because I’m looking to have a vintage jacket re lined and need a recommendation. I wish there was a similar site, dedicated to quality female clothing. Maybe there is, but I have t come across it
I’m afraid there isn’t, though there’s no lack of people asking about it.
Hey Simon
I recently had a new made to measure jacket made, and it’s a beautiful result in all but one way. The arms. The back is as clean as some bespoke, the body is very flattering (though I’m considering getting thin padding added on one shoulder as I have a very sloped shoulder on one side) but the arms have somehow ended up 2.5cm longer than they should be, so no shirt cuff shows at all.
Is this something that can be dealt with at the cuff end? I’d be very apprehensive at handing this over to even the best alterations tailor (the tailor who made it are on the other side of the world) to have the arms removed and put back, lest the pitch of the arms changed. Since I prefer a wider cut for the arms, a change in pitch could create an awful lot of sagging bagginess. The shoulders are also roped, which I’m not sure if that makes a difference.
I don’t mind (I don’t think!) if the buttons are slightly closer to the end of the sleeve than they might have been otherwise. Personally think that wouldn’t look as unsightly as the sleeve finishing at the hand rather than the wrist. What do you think?
Hey Jackson,
Well shortening at the cuff will certainly be a lot easier. If you don’t mind how close the buttons then are to the end, that’s fine, but do make sure you’re fine with that.
It is possible to shorten from the shoudler, and a good alterations tailor should be able to do it. Certainly someone like Pinnas & Needles, though they’re unfortunately very busy now. I know what you mean though – if it’s someone of lesser quality and that I haven’t used a lot before, it would worry me a bit.
Thank you, Simon! I think all considered the buttons being slightly closer to the end of the sleeve is not something that would bother me!
Sorry that this question isn’t entirely relevant. It’s more about the changing fit of a jacket, having now had a couple of jackets mtm over the last couple of years.
I had another jacket made and the result all in all is pretty damn good. However the buttoning point is slightly higher than I requested. The tailor maintained that it was lowered by a full inch, which wearing the jacket does seem unlikely to me.
However, I didn’t raise it again as in the intervening months I was recovering from surgery and was generally in a low state of mind, during the course of which I must have put on about two stone, a lot of which went straight to my chest. I am fatter than I used to be. Is that something that could result in a jacket fit changing to such an extent that the buttoning point could lift and appear much higher? I know that when I stand straight in the jacket it cinches in at the back too.
I think that can make a visual difference, yes, particularly if the gain is that much. If nothing else, your posture changes a fair bit and you lean backwards more
Hello Simon,
Would you be able to recommend a reasonably competent alterations tailor in Stockholm? I would require some work to be done on a couple of older jackets (unfortunately, to follow some body shape changes over time). Obviously, I would not like to risk this being botched up and potentially even ruining the pieces.
Thanks, Sasu
I’m afraid not, I don’t know any
I have some Orslow fatigues that have flat felled seams for both the inseam and outseam. I am keen to narrow the leg a little, but hadn’t thought this was possible until I found this article.
Does the modification essentially require one (or both) inseams to be completely taken apart and then resewn with more of the back panel tucked under? If only one seam is done can this result in a twisted seam?
Usually it’s just one seam, and yes it would be taken apart and redone, but they can do that. It could twist the leg if you took a lot out, but it might be OK if it wasn’t much.
Hey Simon – is shortening a jumper a straightforward or costly alteration do you think?
Costly and not always possible. It needs to be done by an actual knitting factory, unlike tailoring or shirts that can be done by anybody with a sewing machine