Wool coats are a classic, timeless garment for a reason. They keep you warm and cozy while making you look chic and sophisticated. These thick coats are extremely popular, especially in Canada with our harsh winters.
A perfectly fitting wool coat will block the cold while looking stylish, unlike other bulky winter jackets. However, an ill-fitting wool coat will not protect you from the elements. If it’s not too big, it will let in the cold.
Luckily, wool coats can be tailored! Wool is a thick and heavy material, but our experienced tailors can make alterations to it. Before you bring your wool coat to Love Your Tailor, you must ask yourself the following questions:
- Are the sleeves too long?
- Is the length too long?
- Is the collar a good shape?
- Do I need to adjust the size?
- Do I like the lining?
- Do the shoulders fit okay?
Coats are somewhat complicated structurally. This item of clothing has a lining, padding, seams, stiffening and collar. However, an expert tailor will have no problem making the alterations you desire. Keep in mind that shortening the length of the coat, sleeves or collar is fairly simple. More major adjustments like altering the size of the wool coat may not be possible. For this to be possible, the coat will need to be taken apart and sewn again. Significant alterations like this can lead to problems with the pockets and buttonholes.
Now, let’s break down the different problems you may have with your wool coat and how Love Your Tailor can solve them.
It’s Too Big
To make a wool coat smaller, the tailor will open the coat’s lining in the side seams or the bottom. The coat will be turned inside out and buttoned up. It will be pinned to your measurements then new seams will be sewed to fit you perfectly. The lining will be stitched back up, and you’ll have the perfect wool coat for your figure!
It’s Too Small
Making a wool coat bigger is no easy process; undoing the stitching can be tricky but not impossible. The tailor will likely let out the wool coat’s fabric in the seams. It’s hard to say how much the coat can be let out until you’ve undone the stitching because you won’t be able to see the amount of fabric allowance you have. Typically, there will be little over one centimetre on each side of the fabric, meaning at most, the width can be increased by 2.5 centimetres. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but this can make a major difference!
It’s Too Long
If your wool coat is so long that it’s restricting the way you walk, it will need to be shortened. Discuss your desired length with one of our esteemed tailors. They will mark the coat’s new length with chalk. After that, they will cut it at the proper allowance to ensure a new hem can be created. The hem will be sewn back together, anchored and ironed and your coat will be at the proper length for you!
Please note that a wool coat can only be shortened a certain amount to avoid altering the buttonholes and pockets. The amount is usually about 2.5 centimetres. Your trusted tailor will let you know what coat length is possible for your particular coat.
The Sleeves Are Too Long
If your wool coat’s sleeves are hanging way over your gloves, they will need to be shortened. Luckily, this is one of the most straightforward fixes! Again, you will discuss your desired length with one of our tailoring professionals, and they will mark the spot with chalk. Just like shortening the coat’s length, they will cut the sleeve with proper fabric allowance to allow for a new hem. They will take the stitching out of the sleeves, cut the new length, sew around the folded edge, and you will have the perfect new sleeves!
You Dislike the Coat’s Shoulders
It’s crucial that your wool coat’s shoulders fit properly to your proportions. The shoulders are one of the trickiest parts of a wool coat to alter. Our tailor will likely recommend changing the pad levels inside the shoulders instead of making any alterations. Shoulder pads can dramatically change the appearance of a wool coat. You can either take them out completely or add more padding to make you look broader and more masculine.
You Dislike the Coat’s Collar
If you don’t like the look of your coat’s collar, Love Your Tailor can adjust the sizing to change its shape. Like the other design elements of the coat, it’s a lot easier to take fabric away than to add it. The tailor will remove the collar fabric, sew a different seam and create a dart to then reattach the collar.
How Much Does it Cost to Alter a Wool Coat?
The cost of altering a coat differs depending on how many alterations are made. Shortening the sleeves will cost less than adjusting the width of the coa. Get a FREE online quote to see how much your wool coat alterations will cost at Love Your Tailor.
Love Your Tailor
Love Your Tailor is the best tailor in Toronto! We offer jacket alterations and coat alterations in Toronto, as well as wedding dress alterations, suit alterations, pants alterations and more! To learn more about how we can alter your wool coat and our other tailoring services, contact us today!
