[flannelandcotton]

All, greetings! As a first post, I wanted to get your sage guidance on removing buttons from a double-breasted dinner jacket to, in theory, clean up the front.

Apologies for the low-light images. The picture attached labeled "button" is the jacket as is. I gained weight, and had a tailor move the functioning buttons over a bit so I wouldn't have to pull the jacket so tight to clasp. As you can see, the result is that the buttons are a tad off-center.

To correct the off-centeredness, the picture attached labeled "no b" is what I'm thinking, i.e. to remove the non-functioning buttons and clean up the front.

Thoughts on this? Thanks in advance!

 

[Matt S]

Welcome!

There's still too much overlap to be able to turn this into a single-breasted jacket. The only buttons that you can remove are the top two. By removing the lower two show buttons, the jacket still looks unbalanced. The only thing you can do is move the show buttons closer to the centre, and you'll have buttons closer together.

Something like this:

I moved both the lower show buttons as well as the top two show buttons towards to centre to balance the jacket. A narrower wrap is still legitimate. You will either have to move the top buttons closer to the centre as well or just remove them.

 

[flannelandcotton]

Welcome!

There's still too much overlap to be able to turn this into a single-breasted jacket. The only buttons that you can remove are the top two. By removing the lower two show buttons, the jacket still looks unbalanced. The only thing you can do is move the show buttons closer to the centre, and you'll have buttons closer together.

Something like this:

I moved both the lower show buttons as well as the top two show buttons towards to centre to balance the jacket. A narrower wrap is still legitimate. You will either have to move the top buttons closer to the centre as well or just remove them.

Thanks Matt! The image didn't work. Could you try again to upload?

 

[Matt S]

Thanks Matt! The image didn't work. Could you try again to upload?

How odd. It shows for me above. Here it is again:

 

[SG_67]

I can see it and it looks better.

The cut of a double breasted jacket is such that I cannot see how it can be converted and vice versa.

I think a good alterations tailor may be able to give you some options.

 

[16412]

Is there no cloth to let out on the sides and perhaps the back?

Sometimes a new coat is in order. Or, work outs at the gym, or a change in diet. I found out that walking away from pizzas helped a lot.

 

[Mr. B. Scott Robinson]

Believe it or not, changing ones body is often the best course and one which has benefits far beyond button stance.

I use my clothing as a curb on my appetites. When they start getting tight, I know it is time to eat less and move more.

Just do it!

Cheers,

BSR

 

[Charles Dana]

I use my clothing as a curb on my appetites. When they start getting tight, I know it is time to eat less and move more. BSR

Yes!

Cotton and Flannel:

If your sartorial problem was caused by weight gain, wouldn't it be resolved by weight loss? That would be better than fiddling around with buttons.

 

[flannelandcotton]

Much appreciate the replies and thanks Matt for the suggestion!

If only eating less pizza was the issue. It's a result of medication. Despite eating mostly meat and veggies and running a few times a week, it's a common side effect.

 

[Charles Dana]

Much appreciate the replies and thanks Matt for the suggestion!

If only eating less pizza was the issue. It's a result of medication. Despite eating mostly meat and veggies and running a few times a week, it's a common side effect.

I apologize for assuming that your weight gain was caused by gustatory overindulgence. Since that has nothing to do with your circumstances, go ahead and move the buttons--but in the manner that Matt suggested.

Best of luck to you.

 

[16412]

We can't very well argue with the medical world. Some medicine certainly has side effects.
Hope life gets better and you can escape the medicine. I'd sure like to be rid of my medications.

 

[eagle2250]

Indeed, our (prescribed) medications, for all the good that they do us, certainly do have a downside! To list just a few potential side effects of my current witches brew we find: a continuing sense of fatigue, a constant tickle in your throat, slows your metabolism, increases your appetite, can cause irritability and the list goes on and on. Does this constitute improving our lives through chemistry? LOL. I don't think so!

 

[SG_67]

removing the buttons looks superb..

What???

 

[Matt S]

What???

I'm just going to assume he's being sarcastic.

 

[SG_67]

I'm just going to assume he's being sarcastic.

I hope so. Judging by other posts, I believe he's confused.

 

[Gurdon]

Indeed, our (prescribed) medications, for all the good that they do us, certainly do have a downside! To list just a few potential side effects of my current witches brew we find: a continuing sense of fatigue, a constant tickle in your throat, slows your metabolism, increases your appetite, can cause irritability and the list goes on and on. Does this constitute improving our lives through chemistry? LOL. I don't think so!

Better living through chemistry? Not necessarily.

 

[Charles Dana]

This thread, condensed into one short song: "MOVING BUTTONS"

(Sung to the tune of "Changing Partners," music by Larry Coleman, lyrics by Joe Darion. "Changing Partners" was a hit for Patti Page in the early 1950s.)

MOVING BUTTONS

I took my medication then my weight began to rise
So I thought I'd move buttons and give up the beer and fries.
Now my jackets feel better but I wonder how they look.
Should I keep on moving buttons--see the pictures I took.

"The buttons are off-center
"I can see that at a glance.
"Listen up--I'm your mentor.
"Give your tailor one more chance
"To re-align those buttons. I'm assuming that he could.
"After that you should give up moving buttons for good."

I sure wish I could give up
This foul brew I must partake.
Every morning a full cup
Of puréed fresh rattlesnake.
But I'll try moving buttons 'til my purple rash clears up
Well maybe just once more then I'll stop dressing up!

 

[flannelandcotton]

This thread, condensed into one short song: "MOVING BUTTONS"

(Sung to the tune of "Changing Partners," music by Larry Coleman, lyrics by Joe Darion. "Changing Partners" was a hit for Patti Page in the early 1950s.)

MOVING BUTTONS

I took my medication then my weight began to rise
So I thought I'd move buttons and give up the beer and fries.
Now my jackets feel better but I wonder how they look.
Should I keep on moving buttons--see the pictures I took.

"The buttons are off-center
"I can see that at a glance.
"Listen up--I'm your mentor.
"Give your tailor one more chance
"To re-align those buttons. I'm assuming that he could.
"After that you should give up moving buttons for good."

I sure wish I could give up
This foul brew I must partake.
Every morning a full cup
Of puréed fresh rattlesnake.
But I'll try moving buttons 'til my purple rash clears up
Well maybe just once more then I'll stop dressing up!

This was most excellent. Although, I'll never stop dressing up.