Hi Folks,

I've run into a predicament.  I'm a short dude, 5'3" and chest size 32 US, 42 EURO.  I was looking to buy a Dianese/Ducati 80s jacket not only because I like the styling but because I heard they run "smaller" than other styles.  Of course my local dealer doesn't carry any my size, the best he had was a 52 EURO which had arms on it that made me feel like I was 12 again wearing "Daddy's Nice Jacket".  The smallest jacket in the 80s line they make is a 48 EURO.

My question then becomes: What type of experience will I have getting this jacket tailored?

I'm aware that there'll be variability in tailor skill/style, but what I'm really wondering about is if I get a tailor that hasn't done a motorcycle jacket before might he mess it up royally?  I already took an 80s jacket that the clerk was kind enough to lend me, to a Harley leather tailor and he said he didn't want to touch the jacket because he could see himself having to tear the whole thing apart.

To get my EURO measurement (which was nowhere near as complicated as two seemingly clueless tailors indicated) I went to an old school Italian tailor in the North End of Boston.  The tailor, in his 60s to early 70s, told me in broken English he could tailor a motorcycle jacket.  I really want to believe him.

The other problem is that this jacket might need to be altered significantly.  It'll come as a 48EURO chest and need to be cut to a 42EURO.  The arms will need to be shortened.  Is this more work than it's worth?  Too complex?  Too expensive?  What does this run anyway?  Might the final product look drastically different than it had originally?

Have any of you gotten any of your jackets tailored?  If so, please let me know your experience and any lessons you may have learned on the way.  Thanks!

-SJR

imo tailoring a brand new jacket that much seems a little too costly. but if the jacket runs small, you might luck out and fit a 48. 

Thats an aweful lot of cutting they'd have to do.  Even on a suit jacket if it's more than one size off they have to recut the jacket.

Your best bet would be a custom jacket from helimot, barnacle bills, johnson leather, z or motoport.  Should be cheaper too once the tailoring on the off the rack jacket would cost.

Quote from: COWBOY on June 11, 2008, 11:44:59 PM
Thats an aweful lot of cutting they'd have to do.  Even on a suit jacket if it's more than one size off they have to recut the jacket.

Your best bet would be a custom jacket from helimot, barnacle bills, johnson leather, z or motoport.  Should be cheaper too once the tailoring on the off the rack jacket would cost.

+1 for the custom. 

I must have tried on 5 or 6 different track suits, ordered one (that is collecting dust), and finally ended up going with a custom from SYED Leathers.  My fiance had some alteration done on his track suit (shorter sleeves, legs).  It turned out well, even though the tailor grumbled through the process.  It is a very time consuming process.

I would imagine it would be very difficult for a jacket to be taken in that much and still look okay.  You would also end up spending the same amount for the jacket plus alterations as for the custom. 

try this:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZfbTO0GlONU