A trench coat is a type of coat designed and made to withstand harsh weather conditions. However, outerwear is made with various heavy fabrics to prevent inclement weather.
Sometimes, you can face some challenges of the bigger part(s) after buying a trench coat. Likewise, someone might gift you a trench coat, and you find out that it is bigger than your normal size. The first thing that will come to your mind is to know if there is any way you can reduce the size by tailoring it. Hence, can you tailor a trench coat?
Yes, it is possible to tailor a trench coat. A tailor or seamstress can adjust the coat’s fit, length, and other details to suit your preferences.
How to Tailor Your Trench Coat in 5 Simple Steps
Your trench coat comprises shoulders, sleeves, collars, etc. Various ways by which you can tailor your trench coats in different areas are in the following ways.
1. Trench coat sleeve length
Tailoring a trench coat at the sleeve is quite easy and can be done without the service of an expert. Once you have basic sewing knowledge and the needed equipment, you can do it yourself.
Below are steps to take to get your sleeve length tailored;
- Determine your desired sleeve length by putting the trench coat on and try as much as possible to mark out in a straight line with chalk.
- Be precise about where you want to cut your sleeves with the inclusion of seam allowances of at least 2 inches.
- Use the seam ripper to detach the sleeve lining from the fabric. It must not be cut together with the fabric.
- After detaching, cut the fabric to the marked point and then cut the sleeve lining to the shape of the new fabric. It is advisable to cut separately so as not to affect the fit of the trench coat.
- Fold the outer part of the sleeve by 2inches inside over the lining. Use pins to hold them together and check if it is balanced.
- After balancing it, sew through the pinned and folded part by 1.2 inches using the color of thread that matches the fabric.
- Ensure to remove the pins as you stitch the parts. Once you are done, your new sleeves are set.
2. Trench coat length
The trench can only be shortened and not lengthened. It is advisable not to buy trench coats that are way too short in length as they cannot be lengthened. If one’s trench coat is long, it is easier to shorten, but sometimes it might not be easy.
It is not so advisable to shorten your coat length when plenty has to be done on it, as it can affect the fittings and balancing of the trench coat in terms of the placement of pockets, buttonholes, etc.
Tailoring your coat length requires the service of expertise as sometimes, some tailors do discourage shortening your trench coat as it can affect and disfigure the design of the trench coat.
Although there are still some tailors that can do it accurately, they are minute. Ensure that it is shortened by nothing more than an inch.
3. Trench coat with lining
Tailoring a trench coat with lining is quite not hard, but some steps below must be followed;
- Know the new length by wearing it and mark the new line with chalk at the bottom.
- Leave up to 3cm below the top and cut out the fabric with the lining with 3cm allowances for hemming.
- Fold the bottom of your trench coat along the drawn line and possibly iron it to keep it folded.
- Steam the lining seam both inside and outside with 10cm depending on your choice.
- Inwardly, sew the lining fabric to the edge of the bottom line.
- Use your hand to sew the bottom-line seam with sewn lining.
- Create a small hole to turn it out to the front side and sew it up in the seam padding as soon as it is turned out.
- Iron the bottom of your trench coat, and your coat is ready.
4. Trench coat shoulders
Trench coat shoulders are the most delicate part of the coat, and tailoring can be quite dangerous. Sometimes, tailoring this region might not bring the desired outcome; instead, it might worsen the case as the trench coat may lose its balance and fittings.
It is much possible to change the pad level but changing the width is not advisable as it may affect the structure and look of your trench coat.
5. Trench coat collar
A trench coat collar can be tailored but requires an expert or an experienced tailor to get it done.
People have no choice but to tailor their trench coat collar once it is too big for them. Tailor a trench coat collar involves getting rid of the collar fabric, sewing a new larger seam, dart creation on the fabric of the trench coat, and reattaching the collar to the trench coat.
Can You Tailor a Trench Coat to Make It Smaller
Yes, you can tailor a trench coat to make it smaller. Tailoring a trench coat is often difficult, but it can be tailored. A trench coat can be tailored based on how it fits and where adjustments need to be made.
A trench coat can be tailored in the shoulders, sleeves, chest areas, pockets, etc. To make it fitting. A trench coat is a type of coat that has complex structures like padding, many seams, stiffening, and collars. This type of coat requires the service of an expert to get it done accurately.
Why Should I Tailor My Trench Coat to Make It Smaller?
Most people are faced with getting a bigger trench coat with no fittings but later find a reason to make it smaller. Trench coats are not created for fittings or body hugging. They are expected to be slightly fitted but not fitted.
One of the reasons for tailoring trench coats is either too big or not well fitted. Tailoring a trench coat to make it look smaller is quite a huge and heavy task, and it can be possible or not, depending on where and how you want to tailor it.
The part you want to tailor determines whether it will be made smaller or not. Areas like shoulders, collars, etc., are quite easy to shorten but tailoring the whole trench coat can be difficult and stressful.
To tailor your trench coat into a small one, you need the service of an experienced tailor, as it needs to be taken apart and sewn all over again.
It is usually quite risky as the buttonholes, placement of pockets, etc., might be lost, ruining the trench coat’s beauty. Getting a whole trench coat done correctly by an expert is, in all ways, expensive.
Conclusion
Can you tailor a trench coat? Yes, you can. Trench coats can be tailored, but it might not be easy, depending on the area to be tailored. They are structured not to be tailored again, but due to one reason or another, people need to tailor their trench coats.
Getting an accurately sized trench coat is advantageous to avoid unnecessary stress and payment. I hope you find this article helpful.
