Details: Adorable cozy sweater is from H&M, her moto pants are from Target but very old. This pair of Sanctuary jeans is similar and Target has these moto leggings, as well. Her boots are Dr. Martens "Pascal" and damn, are they cute. Now, the question straight from Marianne:
Have any of you ever had a winter coat altered? I mostly love this coat and it’s very well made, but I wish it didn’t flare out at the bottom. I’d like more of a cocoon shape. A friend who works in men’s suiting gave me his tailor's info, but I’m nervous it will cost a million dollars.
I've loved you guys for years and have never commented, just lurked like a weirdo. BUT I'm breaking my silence to heartily recommend winter coat alterations!
ReplyDeleteI scored a beautiful coat on major sale at Banana Republic. Super long, simple, timeless shape, single button, black/white speckled wool. It was just always a little too roomy in places, so it sat in the coat closet all sad.
I randomly went to this tiny alteration shop, and the two Russian women who worked there got REAL excited about fitting this coat to me properly. I'd taken a few things to them in the past, and they were always kind of terse and uninterested. The magic coat changed all that, they wouldn't stop gushing about it. They took it in at the waist, altered the sleeves to fit my noodle arms and just made the whole thing sing. And now whenever I come in, they bring the coat up and gush all over me again, which is so sweet and adorable.
It wasn't crazy expensive, maybe $60 or so? Considering I only spent ~$30 on the thing, it seemed worth it. And now I have this beautiful coat that looks like it was custom made for me.
tl;dr - DO IT. If you're gonna keep the coat, just get it altered the way you like. Especially if you're not really wearing it otherwise!
This is wonderful to hear--thank you! I also have a vintage Burberry coat of my grandmothers that needs tweaking, so you're inspiring me to take them both in and have them ready to go next fall!
DeleteI agree 100% with the above poster. If you otherwise love the coat, the alterations will DEFINITELY cost less than the Bloomingdales one! Even if it were $200 to alter, you'd still end up with a coat you love for $200, if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteI've had cheap, CHEAP dresses ($20-30) altered to fit me perfectly - and then they were still only $40 dresses tailored perfectly when all was said and done.
Thank you! Yes, I agree that it's worth it and better than buying a new one. I'll update once I do it!
DeleteThe short answer is, it depends. A tailored coat with a lining is going to cost a bit for alteration, but what you describe should be doable for a tailor that alters men's suits regularly. If it is a coat that will last a long time and you love it (and the alteration is less than a new coat), I would go for it. (I'm generally in favor of trying to get good use out of well-loved items, even if the cost of repair approaches the cost of the item, but gives me a couple more years' wear out of it. I buy a lot second-hand so my initial costs are usually significantly less than what it cost new, but I keep the retail price in mind when I look at repairs.
ReplyDeleteThis alteration - tapering the sides - is pretty straightforward. I would totally do it! Plus I like it better than the Michael Kors coat. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe one you like at Bloomies is $150...so get that?...
ReplyDeleteThose were options for you guys since the Anthro coat isn't available anymore.
DeleteAlways lovely to see Marianne make a blog appearance! Thank you for the adult Doc outfit - you look great.
ReplyDelete