Recently I got a leather jacket as a gift on my birthday. I was stirred to wear it, but it was too big, to my disappointment. Then, a friend suggested that I get it tailored, it got me amused, and I asked, “can leather jackets be tailored?”
The answer is if you have a leather jacket that is too large for you, you can take it to a tailor and have it adjusted to fit your body size. The tailor will take the jacket in at the seams to fit more closely to your body. It is common practice with leather jackets, as they often have a looser fit.
Continue reading to know how to tailor a leather jacket and what to consider before you take them to a tailor.
Can Leather Jackets Be Tailored?
Leather jackets are a classic wardrobe staple that you can use to become dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. Yes, they can also be tailored to fit your specific body type, but it depends on the type of leather jacket you have.
If you have a leather jacket with a lot of excess fabric, it can be tailored to fit you better. The tailor will remove some extra material and sew the seams back together. It will make the jacket fit better and make it look more professional.
Sometimes, it may be tough to tailor it if it has ribbing, zippers, and pocket with a unique style. In this case, you might need to take it to a specialist who has the special tools and knowledge to get the job done correctly.
A leather jacket with a combination of different fabric types makes it a little bit tough to tailor. The combination of multiple fabrics won’t allow the tailor to make necessary alterations which he can do in a leather jacket with one fabric type.
The most important factor is the type of leather written in the jacket’s construction. It is easier to resize if the leather is thin or soft than a thick, hard type.
Another thing to consider is the condition of the leather. If it is dry or cracked, it is more difficult to resize.
If you are comfortable with basic sewing and alterations, you can attempt to resize a leather jacket yourself.
However, it is always best to consult a professional if you are unsure of what to do.
But there are a few things to keep in mind when having a leather jacket tailored.
- Make sure that you know the measurements of the jacket. The tailor will need these measurements to make any necessary adjustments.
- Choose a qualified tailor who has experience working with leather jackets. Leather is a challenging fabric to work with and requires special care and attention.
- Leather jackets are expensive, and the cost of tailoring will likely be more than the cost of taking a regular jacket to a tailor. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure that your jackets fit well when buying a leather jacket.
- Finally, give the tailor enough time to do a good job. A rushed job never could be good as a job given enough time to be done correctly.
6 Factors To Consider While Taking Your Leather Jackets To A Tailor
Tailoring a leather jacket is tricky and pricy. Therefore, it’s essential to know all the factors related to tailoring before you take the jacket to your tailor.
Trust me; if you know the factors, you can expect to have an easier time tailoring the leather jacket.
1. Find An Experienced Tailor
When looking for a tailor to work on your leather jacket, it’s crucial to find someone who has experience with this type of fabric. Leather is a delicate material that requires special care and attention. Make sure to ask the tailor about his experience with leather before making an appointment.
2. The Style Of The Jacket
Not all jackets can be tailored. If you’re looking for a moto or bomber jacket, you likely won’t be able to have it tailored because of the design.
In addition, if your jacket has ribbing, zippers, pockets, or unique lining and insulation, the tailoring challenge becomes double. However, the challenge multiplies thousand times if it has that unique design like ‘Mad Max’ or ‘The Wild One.’
3. The Type Of Leather
There are several different types of leather, like soft leather or hard and rigid ones. Not all leather jackets can be tailored. For example, if you have a motorcycle jacket or bomber jacket, likely, you can’t tailor it because of the design and material.
4. Accurate Measurement
Once you’ve found a qualified tailor, be sure to provide him with accurate measurements. It’s important to take enough time to measure your jacket accurately, as improper measurements can lead to an ill-fitting jacket.
If you’re not sure how to take the measurements yourself, ask the tailor to do it for you.
5. Budget For Tailoring
Most good tailors can alter a leather jacket to fit you perfectly for around $100-200. Be sure to discuss your budget with the tailor. He can recommend a price range they are offering. Don’t hesitate to ask for discounts if you are getting more than one leather jacket tailored at the same time.
6. Availability Of Special Machinery
As a leather jacket is constructed with several accessories, a simple sewing machine may not be enough to tailor it.
Many special machines are available nowadays that can help get leather jackets tailored perfectly. These machines use lasers to cut the leather and ensure that it fits perfectly. So, if you are looking to alter a leather jacket, make sure you find a tailor who has access to these special machines.
Parts Of The Leather Jacket That Are Difficult To Alter
A few parts of a leather jacket are difficult to alter, depending on the type of leather and the level of damage. The zippers, collar, pocket alterations, sleeves, and shoulders are all parts of the jacket that can be difficult to alter.
Zippers are challenging to alter because they need to be of a specific size and shape to function correctly. If they are damaged or too short, they may need to be replaced. Collar and pocket alterations can be complex because they often require stitching not visible from the outside. Sleeves, too, are difficult to alter because they are attached to the garment in a way that is not easily changed.
It may be difficult or impossible to make alterations if the jacket is made of thin and delicate leather, such as lambskin. This is because alterations would likely damage the leather and even cause the jacket to tear.
Furthermore, if your jacket has been severely damaged, such as by fire or water, it may not be possible to make alterations. Because the damage may be too extensive, and the leather may be too weak to withstand further modifications.
In addition, if the leather is severely damaged, it may be impossible to fix. In cases like these, the best option is to purchase a new jacket. However, if the damage is only minor, it may be possible to have it repaired by a professional. Alterations like this usually cost between $50 and $100.
How Do You Make A Leather Jacket Smaller?
There are a few ways to make a leather jacket smaller. One is to take it to a tailor and have them sew it in tighter. A tailor can adjust the fit of a jacket by taking in the seams, removing or adding fabric, and even shortening the sleeves.
Another is to get a leather jacket that is a size or two smaller than what you need and wear it in. The third way is to use a leather shrinking kit.
How much is it to get a leather jacket tailored?
The cost of having your leather jacket sleeves tailored will depend on the tailor you go.
Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $100 per sleeve. It also may $65 to adjust the shoulder width of a leather jacket.
The price can go up depending on the complexity of the adjustment. The cost can be even higher if the jacket needs to be taken in or let out at the waist. Some tailors offer a discount for multiple adjustments, so it’s worth checking with them if you need more than one alteration done.
You might be interested to read also our another comprehensive article of: Do Carhartt Jackets Shrink? – You Should Need to Know
FAQ’s:
- Can Leather Jackets Be Resized?
In general, leather jackets can be resized. However, the process is not always straightforward, and it’s important to take into account the type of leather, the style of jacket, and the condition of the jacket before deciding whether or not to resize it.
- Can You Get Leather Jacket Sleeves Tailored?
Yes, leather jacket sleeves can be tailored. When looking for a tailor, it is essential to find one with leather garments experience. Leather is a delicate material and requires a special set of skills to work with it.
Bottom Line
Leather jackets are pretty special. And if they are a size bigger and don’t fit you well, nothing is more heartbreaking. So what can you do? Can leather jackets be tailored?
Yes, you can tailor or alter your loosely fitted leather jacket. Just consider a few factors before you think of alteration. However, it can be a costly process. But it is worth it to get a leather jacket that looks great and fits well, isn’t it?
