Had an Argyle Coat tailored?

[cavscout]

I'm wanting to dress up my ward robe from casual to semi formal but the budget is probably only going to allow for a thirft store jacket to be altered into an argyle coat. I really hope I can find a coat and vest to match as this is a very classy look in my opinion.

So I would like to hear about the experience of anyone who has taken this approach of modifying a standard sport coat into an Argyle.

What did your tailor charge?
Did they need any coaching, pattern or could they work from a picture?
Where can you get the eppalets?

I should add that I'm about a 44" - 46" chest if anyone has one they are interested in selling.

[prattw]

Cavscout,

First decision, do you want to duplicate the semiformal, black with silver buttons, effect or actually copy the Argyle in detail? The first is simpler. It's also what I've done, and in fact, no one has ever noticed that the result is not an actual Argyle. (Of course, most people think of the Craile as an Argylle, even list them as such in a few catalogues.)

Look for a black suit coat that fits you well with patch pockets. With luck you can find all wool, unless you don't mind settling for blends or polyester for your particular use.

I used a seamstress (actually more in the shadow zone between that and a tailor) who would currently charge $30 for the alterations. I could go to a tailor here in Las Vegas, who specializes in formal wear, and get it done for $100 to $120, but that would include the addition of slit pockets with true Argylle flaps, epaulets, and gauntlet cuffs. (The extra fabric would come from what was cut off the skirts of the coat.) The lady I actually took it to worked from a series of pictures from numerous angles the first time; she knows what I need, these days. Flat epaulets would have to be made (not complicated) but braid ones can be purchased, from, e.g., here: http://www.highlandxpress.com/ for black jackets only.

Patch pockets were removed and the flaps reattached higher, without, in my case, actually replacing the pockets. The single button remaining on the front was replaced with a chromed diamond-shaped button from the source above. Rather than mess with the cuffs, we simply replaced the existing buttons, in the same spots with smaller diamond-shaped chrome, and we put three small buttons along the bottom of the flaps. The waistcoat that came with it was short enough that it required no modification beyond replacing the buttons.

I use the result for occasions that call for white shirt with tie. In that use, I've never had anyone notice that it isn't an Argylle unless I pointed it out to them. I haven't used it for a tuxedo-level occasions, for that I use a Spencer Tuxedo jacket with the satin covered buttons replaced by the diamond-shaped chrome ones. I have used the Spencer, with a rented white waistcoat, for a full formal ("white tie") occasion once, but normally use a doublet for that. (Which I could justify to my wife because of how much I saved on the other jackets.)

Will Pratt