Suit alterations: what works, what doesn’t – and what it costs
Sleeves, waist, length, shoulders: what a tailor can do to a jacket and trousers – with prices and the most important rule when buying a suit.
The most important rule: the shoulders must fit
The shoulders are the framework of the jacket. The padding, the sleeve setting and the collar all hang from them. If the jacket is too wide at the shoulders, it creases at the upper arm; if it is too narrow, it pulls across the back. Changing that is possible, but a lot of work.
The test in the shop: stand side-on to the mirror. The shoulder seam should end where your shoulder ends, and the sleeve should hang without dents. If that is right, almost everything else is a routine alteration.
What can be altered on the jacket
| Alteration | Effort | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Shorten sleeves (without buttonholes) | simple | CHF 60.– |
| Shorten sleeves with cuff | medium | CHF 68.– |
| Shorten sleeves with (working) buttonholes | medium | CHF 70.– |
| Take in or let out the sides (waist) | medium | CHF 65.– |
| Take in or let out the back | medium | CHF 60.– |
| Shorten overall length, without / with vent | complex | CHF 80.– / 90.– |
| Shorten the shoulders | very complex | CHF 170.– |
The right sleeve length: With your arm hanging down, the jacket sleeve should end at about the wrist, so that 1 to 1.5 cm of shirt cuff remains visible.
Working buttonholes: On high-quality jackets, the buttonholes on the sleeve are cut open. The sleeve can then only be shortened from the top (at the shoulder), or the buttons move up – we discuss this at the fitting.
What can be altered on suit trousers
- Shorten the hem with hem tape: CHF 37.– – the tape protects the edge from rubbing against the shoe.
- Hem with turn-ups: CHF 40.– to 45.–.
- Take in or let out the waistband: from CHF 47.–, with inserted fabric CHF 75.–. Suit trousers usually have spare fabric in the centre back seam.
- Slim the trouser legs: CHF 40.– to 55.– – instantly makes an older suit look more modern.
Which trouser length suits a suit is covered in detail in our guide Having trousers shortened.
Where the limits are
- More than one size: A suit can be taken in by about one size. Beyond that, pockets, buttons and proportions shift.
- Letting out: only as much as there is fabric folded into the seams.
- A jacket that is too short: lengthening a jacket is practically impossible.
- Shiny patches: Where the iron has already made the fabric shiny or the fabric is thin, old seam lines will show after the alteration.
How the alteration works
- Fitting with shirt and shoes: Wear what you will wear with the suit. We pin the sleeves, waist and trouser length directly on you.
- Price up front: You know what it costs before any work starts.
- Collection: Simple alterations are often ready in one to two working days; several alterations to the jacket take longer. For weddings and events, it is best to allow two to three weeks.
- Cleaning as well: If the suit should be cleaned and pressed before the event, we do that in the same shop – see dry cleaning.
More about our suit service: Suit alterations in Lucerne. General prices and tips: Clothing alterations: costs.
Frequently asked questions
Contact →How much does it cost to have a suit altered in Switzerland?
At Zekos Express in Lucerne: shortening jacket sleeves from CHF 60.–, taking in the jacket at the sides CHF 65.–, taking in the back CHF 60.–, shortening trousers with hem tape CHF 37.–, trouser waistband from CHF 47.–. Altering the shoulders costs CHF 170.–.
Can the shoulders of a suit jacket be made narrower?
Yes, but it is the most complex alteration on a jacket (CHF 170.–), because the sleeves, padding and lining have to be taken off. It is better to make sure the shoulders fit when you buy.
How long should suit jacket sleeves be?
With your arm hanging down, about 1 to 1.5 cm of shirt cuff should be visible below the jacket sleeve.
How much can a suit be taken in?
As a rule, by about one dress size. Beyond that, the proportions, pockets and button positions change.
How long does it take to have a suit altered?
Simple alterations are often ready in one to two working days. For events such as weddings, it is better to allow two to three weeks.
