A well-fitted suit can make you feel confident and stylish. But when a suit doesn’t fit right, it can ruin your whole look, no matter how expensive it is. The truth is, many people wear suits that don’t fit them properly and may not even realize it.
Here are five common signs your tailored suits need some work and what you can do to fix each one.
1. Shoulder Bumps or Wrinkles
If the shoulders of your jacket look bumpy or stick out past your own shoulders, the fit is off. This often happens when the jacket is too big or the shoulder padding is too strong. A tailor can reshape or adjust the shoulders slightly, but if it’s too far off, it may be better to choose a different jacket.
2. Sagging or Tight Sleeves
Sleeves that are too loose look sloppy, and sleeves that are too tight can limit your movement. The sleeve should follow the shape of your arm without squeezing it. A tailor can take in or let out the sleeve to make it fit better. Also, make sure about half an inch of your shirt cuff is showing, this is a good sign of proper sleeve length.
3. Baggy or Pulling Pants
If your trousers bunch up around your ankles or pull across your thighs, they need adjusting. Baggy pants make you look shorter and untidy, while overly tight pants can be uncomfortable and look forced. Tailors can hem or taper trousers to give a cleaner look and better balance.
4. Jacket Doesn’t Lay Flat
When your suit jacket is buttoned, it should lay flat across your chest and stomach. If it pulls or creates an “X” shape, it’s too tight. If it looks loose or hangs away from your body, it’s too big. This can usually be fixed by adjusting the sides of the jacket.
5. Collar Gap or Shirt Showing Too Much
A suit collar should rest smoothly against the back of your neck. If there’s a gap or your shirt collar sticks out too much, the jacket doesn’t sit right. This can be fixed by a skilled tailor who adjusts the back and collar for a cleaner fit.
Wearing a suit that doesn’t fit well takes away from your overall look. But the good news is, most problems can be fixed with small changes. A few visits to a tailor can turn an average suit into one that looks like it was made just for you.