A Comprehensive Guide to Wedding Suit Alterations

Whether you’re the groom, a member of the wedding party, or a guest, chances are you’ll likely be wearing a suit to your forthcoming wedding celebration. Not only that, but chances are you'll also want that suit to look good, fit well, and feel comfortable through photos, vows, and the dance party. That means you’ll have to get your suit altered to fit your exact specifications—and, luckily, the process isn't intimidating or expensive.

“Fit is crucial in a suit because it not only enhances your appearance but also boosts your confidence. A well-fitting suit compliments your physique, ensuring comfort and elegance,” says Daniel Mofor, founder and lead designer of Don Morphy. “It conveys attention to detail and a sense of personal pride, projecting a polished and professional image.” Professional tailor Shae Haning agrees, noting that “A well-fitting suit is important not just for confidence, but also for feeling the freedom of representing who we are to the world,” she says. “People see our physical representation and clothes before we even get the chance to talk to them, so this first impression is really important.” 

Given the importance of a tailored and well-fitted suit, we tapped the experts to put together a comprehensive guide to suit alterations for grooms, groomsmen, and guests. Continue below for everything you need to know.

The Top Three Common Suit Alterations to Know

It’s hard to find a suit that fits you perfectly right off the rack, and for an event as important as a wedding, fit is crucial when getting dressed for such a special occasion. “With wedding photography often beginning hours before the ceremony and extending into the late hours of the celebration, the suit should be comfortable and flexible all while maintaining its style,” says Drew Green, CEO of Indochino. “Wedding dresses often require multiple fittings to ensure the perfect fit, so we believe that suits should be given the same attention.”

With that in mind, we thought it might be helpful to explain the top three suit alterations all men should consider when prepping their wedding day outfits. Read on for more.

Suit Jacket Alterations

According to Green, a suit jacket should be “well-fitted in the chest and shoulders and fall comfortably throughout the body.” He notes that the telltale sign of a perfect fit is a sleek silhouette that also prioritizes comfort so that you can move around easily and freely throughout the day.

When altering your suit jacket, assess if you need to take in or let out the sides of the blades (the seams that run down the back), and shorten or lengthen the sleeves to achieve your desired fit. What's more, if you’ve inherited an outfit or want to wear a family member’s suit on your big day, you can modernize it in several ways. Haning mentions shortening the hem, re-shaping or adjusting the shoulders and shoulder padding, and changing the collar line and lapel width to achieve positive results.

Suit Pant Alterations

Typically, pant alterations include the hem, seat, waist, and potentially the leg width, says Mofor. Pants should fit comfortably—not too tight or loose—with the pant hem resting lightly atop your shoes.

“Pants are a surprisingly specific garment and everyone has individual preferences,” says Haning, adding that taking in or letting out the waist, adjusting the pant leg width, and hemming are the most common alterations she performs. “All three of these alterations can make a huge overall difference in the shape, look, and feel of the pants,” she shares. “A tailor can take a 40-year-old pair of pants and truly modernize it with these simple alterations.”

Double-Breasted Suit Alterations

While fit is important for all aspects of a suit, it's even more crucial to have the right fit when wearing a double-breasted suit. However, due to the unique button placement and fabric drape, you’ll have to work with an experienced tailor to ensure the fit isn’t compromised. 

Green notes that it’s “paramount” that a double-breasted jacket fit well in the chest and shoulders. “This style of jacket will naturally have more material throughout the front of the garment, so the alteration focus should remain on the structural fit of the garment throughout the chest and shoulders when the jacket is buttoned closed,” he explains. “Pro tip: Make sure the inside button of the jacket is fastened prior to reviewing any fit concerns of the garment!”

“The important thing to know about double-breasted suits is that they will never fit as tightly as a single-breasted suit,” Haning adds. “They can, of course, be tailored, but the overall look will remain somewhat more boxy, which is the intended design. Double-breasted suits also give the impression of a wider shoulder, so if you choose this suit style, it’ll be important for you to know how you would like it to look on specifically your body so that you can convey that to the tailor.” 

The Cost of Suit Alterations

In general, alteration costs may vary depending on where you live, the experience and expertise of your tailor, and what you’re altering; but you can expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $300, says Mofor. Tapering the pants, shortening suit sleeves, and taking in a jacket will likely cost about $100 to $150, adds Haning.

That said, if you’re resizing your suit or completely restyling it, you’ll definitely pay a higher fee—however, something simple like a pant hem won’t bust your budget too much. “Don’t be afraid to ask your tailor for a quote upfront,” advises Haning. “They should have a good idea of how long these processes take and what their pricing is so that you know this information before the work is started.”

Tips for Successful Suit Alterations

Need some more advice? Here are a few additional tips to know when embarking on the suit alterations journey.

Find the Right Tailor

Haning compares finding a tailor to dating: “First impressions are very important: the cleanliness of the shop, the ease of the scheduling, and the knowledge of the individuals working in the space,” she explains. Clear communication on both sides is key to success, too. “If you meet with somebody for a fitting and they are able to explain to you the alterations that they’d like to make to your suit in a way that you can understand, this is a great sign.” Additionally, the tailor should listen to your feedback and offer their expertise so you land on a solution you both feel good about.

Don't Procrastinate

Don’t wait until the last minute to alter your suit. You may need a few tweaks for the perfect fit, so give yourself ample time before the big day. “The process typically involves an initial fitting, alterations, and a final fitting to ensure perfect adjustments,” explains Mofor.