I should have known that since I ordered a strap from Magnoli several weeks ago.
Risu wrote:Dear god, you could get brand new Magnoli shirt and pants for less than that! And they'll be the perfect fit AND more SA.
I was pretty much set on getting the Wested shirt and pants before I joined the COW forum. I was mostly going through the gear area on the main Indygear site. I was aware of the COW forum, but I didn't think to search the site for the latest discussions on alternative Indy shirts and pants. I originally wanted a Noel Howard, but I've never got a response from him, so I went the Wested route. I liked the shirt and pants so much that I ordered another set along with another jacket in Nov 2007 and figured I could pick them up during my vacation in Jan. 2008. Well, this'll teach me to research for a better alternative before purchasing something that would require costly alterations.
Tron7960 wrote:Maybe those are typical NYC prices, but that's extreme. My Wested pants were altered at the waist and seat and both inseams for $20.00 not $200.00.
They quoted sleeves shortened and taken in at seams as well as side seams on my shirt for $35.00.
Actually, that's not typical NYC prices. Bermini is located on Lexington Ave (Basically the same as if they were located on Madison and Fifth Aves) and equates to expensive. I wanted to go to one of the best tailors and I've read that Bermini is very detail-oriented and take the time to make your clothes just right. I want the same exact stitching and pleating so I won't go to just any tailor. You had simple alterations done on your pants. On mine, not only does the waist and pants inseams need to be shorted, but the left and right side of the pants need to be split open and re-sewn in order to get rid of some of that bagginess. I can fit almost two legs into one of the pant legs. But, it still is costly at $100. It's a good thing I didn't have the shirt tails shortened and the shirt pockets reduced. The shirt alteration price would have cost a lot more. I guess I'm going to have my second set altered in two months. I already ordered the Wested pants with a 28" inseam. So, unless anyone is also 5 foot and 1 inch, I don't think the pants would re-sell.
On a lighter note, how does one button those pants? I was struggling with trying to button the pants during my fitting. I ended up only buttoning the middle button, and even that was hard. I think those tightly, sewn flaps surrounding the buttons get in the way. Geez, you can get arthritis just buttoning those things.
I ordered the smallest size available for the Wested shirt and pants, but a men's small is like a woman's large. As you can see in the receipt, the shirt requires 8 alterations and the pants requires 4 alterations. Each alteration requires fixing a seam, and there is a flat fee of $25 for each seam bringing the total to $300. I currently have two Wested shirts and pants, but I'll do just one set for now. I've spent almost $2000 already on Indy gear and promo stuff. So, I'll probably have the second set altered in the next month or so.
