Another fantastic jacket conversion...

**linedrive** · 5th June 12, 05:27 AM

If you have seen any of my other posts, I've been fortunate to find a local tailor that does exceptional work. It all started with a dark green wool jacket that I picked up for 50 cents at a good will. I went in and explained what I wanted to do. She had never done one before, so we marked it up and I hoped for the best.

When I went to pick it up, I was very happy. Needless to say, I have gotten some nice comments about it from the rabble when I posted it. (original thread here)

After that experience, I took them a Harris Tweed jacket (again, I purchased for about 7.00). Each of those were $25.00 for the work, and it took about 5 or 6 days.

So, this week, I took a third jacket in. It is a lighter weight black/charcoal Brooks Brothers that I had purchased at an outlet. The problem with the jacket was that it was a long (and I am not). I never wore it, so I took it in. This time, I had the tailor create "NEW" pocket flaps and sewed them on (in short, the pockets were too low, so the bottom of the new flap, now covers the previous opening). They are not functional, but it makes the jacket look better. This one cost me a total of $40.00. Again, I am very happy with the cut.

... Line

**linedrive** · 5th June 12, 05:29 AM

Here are photos of the other two jackets:

**fcgeil** · 5th June 12, 05:33 AM

Very nice. I like the Harris Tweed best, personally, but all three look good to me.

**Chas** · 5th June 12, 05:42 AM

Really like the way, your tailor has done the front of the jackets. Very professional finish.

Regards

Chas

**creagdhubh** · 5th June 12, 05:47 AM

Looks great, but can the pocket flaps be moved up a wee bit? They still seem too low on the jacket, which sometimes cannot be avoided in conversions.

Cheers,

**biblemonkey** · 5th June 12, 05:59 AM

Very nice! I do agree about the pockets needing raised but other than than it looks splendid!

**MacMillans son** · 5th June 12, 06:27 AM

Congratulations on your new jackets, as you have found, conversions when done well, can look great and be great money savers too.

I would agree with the above comments, the front cuts look very nicely done not angular or exaggerated to my eye. The pockets are always a bit tricky. Two other techniques to address the look of them being too low (yours are much better than many we see) is to allow the jacket to be a bit longer, say an inch or so, than a perfectly cut kilt jacket. No one will notice the jacket being a touch long but the benefit to improving the short pocket syndrome is quite noticeable. The other, and can be used in conjunction with the slightly longer hem, is to shorten the flaps themselves so that they are more in scale with the presumed depth of the pocket. Pocket flaps that are two and half inches tall and are only two inches above the hem look out of scale and draw attention to them.

You have found a good tailor to work with, and again, congratulations!

**vmac3205** · 5th June 12, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

Looks great, but can the pocket flaps be moved up a wee bit? They still seem too low on the jacket, which sometimes cannot be avoided in conversions.

Cheers,

On the conversions I do, I always remove the pocket flap, and re-install it up about 3/4 inch. That makes it look a bit better.