Waistcoat alterations, so a three-piece reads as one garment.
Back straps, side seams, length and button position for suit waistcoats, odd waistcoats and evening waistcoats — pinned with the jacket and trousers. Take-in from £40.
Where a waistcoat goes wrong
A waistcoat sits between the trouser and the jacket and has to agree with both. Too loose, and it ripples when you sit; too short, and a band of shirt shows above the trouser waistband; buttons placed slightly off, and the front pulls into creases.
Because so much depends on the trousers, a waistcoat is best pinned with the trousers on, at the height you wear them, and with the jacket to hand.
What we alter
Suit waistcoats, odd waistcoats and evening waistcoats, plus some fine-gauge knitwear:
- Sides or back taken in, from £40
- Back strap adjusted
- Length, so the waistcoat meets the trouser waistband
- Buttons repositioned or replaced, from £6 each
- Fine-gauge knitwear hems — quoted at the visit
Three-piece suits
A three-piece suit looks right when the three pieces are fitted together. On the same visit, the fitter can pin the trouser hem (from £28), the jacket body (from £75) and the waistcoat, so the lines meet where they should. Together, that work usually passes the £120 level at which the £30 visit fee is credited in full.
Wedding and evening waistcoats
Waistcoats are central to morning dress and to many wedding outfits, and hire waistcoats are often supplied with an adjustable back strap that only goes so far. Where the hire terms allow, a waistcoat can be taken in at the back so it sits close without straining. For the groom and his party together, see wedding suit alterations.
Evening waistcoats for black tie are altered alongside dinner suits — see dinner suit and black tie alterations.
Turnaround
Standard turnaround is 7–10 working days. If there is a date to work to, tell us in the request and we will say what is possible before collecting.
How the home visit works
Send a request with a preferred day and a two-hour window. We reply to every request by email within one working day. A named fitter then comes to your home, office or hotel; appointments run daily, 07:00–21:00, and most visits take under half an hour.
The garment is pinned on you, confirmed in sterling before it leaves, and returned pressed to the same address. Standard turnaround is 7–10 working days. There is a £30 visit fee, credited in full when confirmed work reaches £120, and a £60 minimum order per collection.
Common questions
How much does it cost to take in a waistcoat?
Taking in the sides or back of a waistcoat is from £40, including VAT.
Can a waistcoat be lengthened?
Only if there is enough cloth turned inside. The fitter checks at the visit and tells you before anything is collected.
Can you alter a hire waistcoat for a wedding?
Often, within the hire terms. Tell us the hire company when you book and we only do what the terms allow.
Do you alter knitwear?
Fine-gauge knitwear hems, yes — quoted at the visit.
We reply to every request by email within one working day. Or email the desk at hello@cavendishatelier.com.