[vonSuess]

I received a double-breasted S&M half-canvassed suit today in the contemporary fit, size 44 with size 38 trousers. The trousers fit great. No problems there. The jacket seems about right in the shoulders, but I can't seem to get the button any closer than about three inches from the buttonhole by pulling it as tight as I can.

Well, I'm losing weight these days, so I may get down to whatever size will allow me to button the jacket. I suppose it will take a loss of about ten pounds to do this or perhaps fifteen. But since the trousers fit fine now, won't that make them considerably too large? I don't think I can go to a larger jacket size or the shoulders will be too big.

I must be doing something wrong here. Any thoughts? I'm not seeing how this jacket and these trousers could possibly both fit...

 

[drpeter]

If you do lose those pounds and the jacket fits, then the trousers can be taken in a couple of inches without altering the balance of the hip pockets and the centre seam in the back. A skilled tailor can do better, perhaps up to four inches taken in at the waist.

Something is a bit off here, as you remark. You may want to talk to the shop where you bought this suit, and find out if the suit had been returned by someone after being altered, especially the jacket. That is the only explanation I can think of, given that a drop of 6" from jacket size to trouser waist is standard. Maybe their "contemporary fit" is off somehow. I suppose you have measured everything (jacket waist, trouser waist), including your own waist, LOL. Do let us know what you discover -- it is an intriguing puzzle.

 

[William Kazak]

I do thrifting when I go grocery shopping as Goodwill is next door. I tried on a few blazers in my day and bought a few 44 that fit. I try some on that I do not buy. Those are 44 and at the waist barely buttons if at all. My pants are currently 38 and occasionally 36. I have a lineup of both sizes. Yet,my blazer size is still 44.

 

[Mute]

That's odd. If the trousers fit at the waste, the jacket shouldn't be that far off. Have you checked the jacket label to make sure they didn't send the wrong size?

 

[vonSuess]

I appreciate everyone's comments and they all make sense to me. Indeed, I've checked the labels and everything seems right. It is the fact that the trousers fit so well at the waist that surprises me about how tight the jacket is in the middle. I'm going to take some things to the tailor this afternoon anyway, so I'll see what she thinks about this. My guess, upon further reflection, is that as I continue on my diet, this should fit about ten pounds down the road and I'll just have the trousers altered unless I can get a smaller size separately. I do also note that the possibility there had been some alterations and then the coat was returned does merit consideration. The trousers are unhemmed but the sleeves are finished and buttons applied. I suppose I don't know if S&M ships suit coats with finished sleeves or not. I suppose I could ask...

 

[Troones]

I have several sport coats and blazers from S&M as I find the quality for the price is incredible. I do have two of their suits though and I agree that this is where some improvements could be made. The jackets are aggressively nipped at the waist, whereas the accompanying trousers waist don’t align properly. The waist could be a little higher too but that’s just a personal preference. When you’re slim enough for the jacket, having the trousers taken in should do the trick.

I’ve been gaining and losing weight for the past few years and unfortunately am on the fatter side right now. I can’t fit into any of my Spier & Mackey stuff these days.

 

[zzdocxx]

I appreciate everyone's comments and they all make sense to me. Indeed, I've checked the labels and everything seems right. It is the fact that the trousers fit so well at the waist that surprises me about how tight the jacket is in the middle. I'm going to take some things to the tailor this afternoon anyway, so I'll see what she thinks about this. My guess, upon further reflection, is that as I continue on my diet, this should fit about ten pounds down the road and I'll just have the trousers altered unless I can get a smaller size separately. I do also note that the possibility there had been some alterations and then the coat was returned does merit consideration. The trousers are unhemmed but the sleeves are finished and buttons applied. I suppose I don't know if S&M ships suit coats with finished sleeves or not. I suppose I could ask...

How about if you measure the drop and see what it is ?

That ought to tell if it is in the range of reasonable.