How much alteration?

[Patrologia]

Seeing coughdrop's question earlier made me think of this question that's been nagging at me.

How much do you think you can adjust the shoulders in a suit jacket? I have broad shoulders, so I always have to compromise between fit on the shoulders and fit around the body. I could gain 50 pounds and solve my problems, well, one of my problems. Anyway, I have a couple of jackets that are just a little snug on my shoulders, and I wonder if it is possible to let them out just a little. I don't think they'd need much, but they'd be much better and I wouldn't look like a kid wearing the suit that fit last year. I'm not old, but I'm WAY to old for that.

 

[StylinLA]

Others here know more than I and may weigh in, but I believe I've read that the shoulders are one of the most critical areas of a suit to get as good a fit on as possible out of the box. Guessing too it's one of the pricier alterations.
I don't think the tailor has a lot of "wiggle room" with that area of the suit.

 

[thebikingengineer]

Shoulders are nearly impossible to have altered. It's possible, but the tailor only gets one shot at it and if they mess up they can't fix it, most won't do it. The best thing to do is go MTM if you're that hard to fit. The next best is to buy a suit that fits your shoulders well, then have it taken in at the sides. A full-canvas construction in the suit will make the alteration easier for your tailor to pull off. Also, you should be having your suit altered by someone who you would trust to build a suit, many alterationists wouldn't have the skills required to pull off a large drop increase (chest to waist).

 

[Patrologia]

Yeah, that's what I was afraid of. I'll probably take a less treasured jacket in to a tailor that I've heard good things about (not really excited about the person I've used a couple of times) and see what he says and what he would charge. The slightly snug jackets are likely to be on the way out though. Thanks for the advice.