I found an old suit, I think it’s from the 90s, at a vintage store that I like, but it looks a bit old-fashioned. Is there anything a tailor could do to change it up or modernize it?
My response:
A good alterations tailor can certainly make adjustments – like shortening a jacket or nipping in the waist – that will help the shape. But I’d make sure you make those changes to improve the fit, not to make it look more trendy. In fact, if it was trendy at the time it was made, you can help un-trend it by making the shape a bit more classic. On the other hand, there is one simple technique for freshening up a suit that I just did to myself: swap out the buttons.
This jacket is part of a suit made in 1988 I got at a vintage store. It is thankfully very classic in its cut and shape. In fact, I love everything about it, except the buttons. It annoyed me that there were only 4 instead of the more traditional 6 (the top two being nonfunctional). Plus, I felt that the black colour was rather serious and staid. The suit had belonged to a lawyer, so the black made sense for him. I’m more of a dandy who wears suits because I enjoy them, so I wanted to give the suit a personal touch while still honouring its classic appeal.
As you can see, changing the buttons changes the jacket almost entirely. I went for horn buttons in a greenish-grey, something that I felt harmonized with the grey of the jacket’s flannel while also adding a touch of dash. This 25 year old suit feels suddenly brand new.
I enjoyed the latest communique about updating a old suit. If only more men would realize that these types of ideas are great financial savers. Also, it is important for one to be sure to take care of their clothes. Quality of a clothing item may cost a bit more, but if it is taken care of through the years, such as your suit; it is bound to have a longer wearing life.
When you have a spare moment, try to arrange a meeting with the Toronto Star writer Rita Zekas who is a follower of Vintage clothing. She should really know about you and your website….if she doesn’t already.
Please keep these interesting articles coming and I really hope that you are getting some great feed back and suggestions from your followers.
Quick question, where in Toronto have you found that sells buttons made of horn? From my limited looking it seems most stores only sell ones made of plastic/synthetic materials.
Horn buttons are very, very hard to find. I got mine at the only place I know, “Fabric and Buttons” at 461 Queen, just west of Spadina. They are in the glass case as you enter the store but there aren’t very many of them, maybe only 3 or 4 to choose from.
3 Comments
Daniel
February 19, 2015 at 9:47 am
Jordan
February 20, 2015 at 11:42 am
Pedro Mendes
February 20, 2015 at 1:39 pm
Greetings Pedro!
I enjoyed the latest communique about updating a old suit. If only more men would realize that these types of ideas are great financial savers. Also, it is important for one to be sure to take care of their clothes. Quality of a clothing item may cost a bit more, but if it is taken care of through the years, such as your suit; it is bound to have a longer wearing life.
When you have a spare moment, try to arrange a meeting with the Toronto Star writer Rita Zekas who is a follower of Vintage clothing. She should really know about you and your website….if she doesn’t already.
Please keep these interesting articles coming and I really hope that you are getting some great feed back and suggestions from your followers.
Cheers!
Daniel
Interesting article, as always, Pedro.
Quick question, where in Toronto have you found that sells buttons made of horn? From my limited looking it seems most stores only sell ones made of plastic/synthetic materials.
Regards
Jordan
Horn buttons are very, very hard to find. I got mine at the only place I know, “Fabric and Buttons” at 461 Queen, just west of Spadina. They are in the glass case as you enter the store but there aren’t very many of them, maybe only 3 or 4 to choose from.