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Jacket Alterations: Stay Warm and Comfortable with Jacket Repairs

by | Jan 10, 2025 | Alterations

In the midst of winter, having warm attire is extremely important. Leaving the house with a cozy jacket is the best way to ensure you’re comfortable when exposed to lower temperatures. A good jacket should be both practical and stylish, so keeping your outerwear in shape is beneficial. When something goes wrong with your favorite jacket, consider jacket alterations.

Can You Get Jacket Alterations?

Yes, most tailors offer coat and jacket alterations. In the United States, the average number of jackets/coats per person is 0.4. So, people typically have a very small number of coats or no coats at all.

Since the average person doesn’t have tons of jackets sitting around, they might not have backups if issues arise. If the fabric rips, it becomes too tight, or a zipper breaks, your favorite jacket won’t work as effectively as before.

While some people just buy a new jacket, it’s easy to find someone to alter and repair your existing garment. So, why not get jacket alterations instead of spending lots of time and money finding a new coat? An experienced tailor can get your jacket looking and feeling perfect again, even if it’s a jacket you’ve worn frequently for years.

Common Types of Jacket Alterations

Jackets can have a lot of unique features that other clothing items don’t. They can have thick, insulated, and waterproof fabrics. They could include hoods, deep pockets, and detailed zippers/clasps. Plus, jackets come in a wide range of types.

Since jackets have so much variety, the alteration options are endless. Below are a few examples of jacket alterations you could do. 

Suit Jacket Alterations

A suit jacket is all about style. If it doesn’t fit right, it could look less professional and feel uncomfortable. Suit jacket alterations are often even more important than other jacket repairs because they’re commonly worn at formal events where you’ll need to look nice and get your picture taken.

Some suit jacket adjustments could include adjusting sleeve length, adjusting the jacket length, repairing damaged lining, fixing loose buttons, adjusting the shoulders, adding pockets, or making it a size larger or smaller. How to alter a suit jacket varies based on the style, materials, and type of adjustments needed.

Always try on your suit well before an important event so you can schedule alterations in time if you need them. That way, you won’t have to wait until the last minute to get your jacket fixed.

Letterman Jacket Patches

A letterman jacket, also known as a varsity jacket, is a popular way to show off your achievements in high school. They’re most commonly worn by jocks, but they can also represent other school activities, such as academics, band, choir, and extracurriculars.

The most important part of the letterman jacket is the patches, which indicate awards and achievements of the student. Since letterman jacket patches are such a big deal, you’ll want to ensure they’re applied correctly. A tailor can help you apply new patches and repair damaged ones to ensure your letterman jacket maintains a sleek look.

Like with any jacket type, a tailor can also alter other aspects of your letterman jacket, such as the fit, sleeve lengths, and zippers.

Jean Jacket Patches

Like letterman jackets, it’s also common to attach patches to jean jackets. Adding a variety of colorful patches can give a jean jacket a unique style while also showing off bits of your personality and interests. While you can learn how to sew a patch on a jacket at home, having an experienced tailor handle it can help you ensure all the patches are applied smoothly.

If your jean jacket gets ripped or scratched, a tailor can also apply patches to fix the damage. However, depending on the details of the damage, the tailor may decide to take a different approach. They can discuss repair options with you after examining your denim jacket.

Jacket Zipper Repair

Most jackets have zipper closures and zippers on the pockets. If a jacket zipper breaks, the jacket and/or its pockets won’t be as secure. Tailors can examine your damaged zipper and repair it by either replacing it completely or fixing individual parts like bent teeth. The exact repair plans will depend on the extent of the damage.

If your jacket uses a different type of closure, such as buttons, clasps, or Velcro, tailors can help with that too. It’s important for your jacket to close properly to keep you warm and dry.

Leather Jacket Alterations

Leather is a delicate, natural material that needs to be handled with care. Real leather jackets are also pricey, so it’s not a clothing item you’ll want to replace frequently. So, if you’ve wondered if you can alter a leather jacket, the answer is yes. If your favorite leather jacket sustains damage, there are plenty of solutions other than replacing it completely.

Tailors who have experience handling leather can complete leather coat alterations to achieve a better fit. They can adjust seams, sleeves, buttons, zippers, pockets, and embellishments. If there are any rips, tears, or scratches, they can help fix those imperfections to keep your jacket looking stylish.

If you have a faux leather jacket, tailors can still repair it just like any other jacket. They might need to examine the material first to determine the best course of action.

Where to Get Jacket Alterations

If you have a damaged coat, an old jacket that needs refitting, or a new jacket that doesn’t fit quite right, look for jacket alterations in your area. There are tons of tailors out there, but finding one that has experience with the unique materials and styles of jackets can help you ensure your clothing item is in good hands.

In Houston, winter may be mild, but it’s still good to have a light jacket to protect you from the elements. Memorial Tailors in Houston has plenty of experience handling all types of materials and clothing items, including jackets with intricate designs.

To get your jacket as practical and stylish as possible, book an appointment with Memorial Tailors. We will handle all your clothing with care while meeting your alteration needs.