Is this 2nd hand coat worth altering?

Okay, here goes my first post here… Hi everyone. I recently picked up a 2nd
hand wool coat on a whim (saw it while looking for dining room chairs to
refinish!) I grabbed it as I had an interview and quite literally couldn’t find
a petite coat to fit in any stores within reach.

Turns out this one doesn't fit either.

It’s a wool/cashmere blend… Not being one to buy 2nd
hand I was a bit self-conscious when picking it up and so didn’t give it a
proper look. Now that I have it home and the interview is over I realize
it is too big and too long and, well… see for yourselves…

My question is whether or not anyone feels this coat (Jones
New York) is worth the $159 I was quoted for an alteration to bring in the
shoulders, cut it to knee length… or perhaps even shorter and since it’s a roomy
style, I imagined then looking a
bit like a car coat maybe… the coat also has a little detachable faux fur shawl
that fits around the collar.

I know $159 is not a lot for the coat (I picked up the coat
for $50) – but I did later notice a number of wool blend coats on sale
elsewhere in/around the same price range… an emerald green one comes to mind as
I feel I should start to wear some more colour.

Perhaps I shouldn’t give this much thought but I am having
to be very budget conscious as I have been in school for a few years and am not
back in the workforce full time yet.

So… if this coat worth altering or should I donate it and
pick up a new one on sale? Thanks for any input.

p.s. The job didn’t fit either I'm sorry to say.

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12 years ago

(website)

Veteran

It's pretty hard to see fit in the pics, but I'd say no just on the principal of throwing good money after bad. I've tried this before. I don't do it anymore If it was just one thing (a sleeve shortened or the length cut down) maybe, but it sounds like the coat basically just doesn't fit you. In that case, sell it if you can, or just redonate.
sorry the job was a poor fit too :/

carter

I agree with Mo. Everyone has great sales on coats right now. I just bought a berry color coat from Lands End for around $60. Find something in a great color, and pass this one on to someone larger.

rabbit

Iol your photoshop on no.2

I'd say that you could probably get a new coat on sale/clearance at someplace like Macy's by an equivalent brand for less than the alteration price. The size is hard, but sometimes if you find a coat you like they can ship in a smaller version from another store, and you aren't obligated to keep that one if it doesn't fit either.

If it were me, I'd think about if there was a possibility of reselling the original coat, or returning it if only worn once, very briefly. If not, I'd donate it, and consider it charitable giving.

Wishing you the best of luck with your job hunt and coat search.

Caro in Oz

LOL at your last pic Let it go imo - from what I can see it looks a little heavy on you as well as too big. Put the alteration costs towards a fab new coat

Forgot to say - welcome

Anonymous

Welcome!

I would say let go of it and find something fab on sale.

Gigi

Sorry to hear about the job. :^(

I'm with the other opinions--best to let it go. The only time I would say to get it altered was if you were absolutely in love with it and were practically drooling over it. It sounds like you are thinking more so that it would just be a high-quality item and "nice to have." It didn't sound to me like you had a lot of emotional investment in the coat. I think it would be better to keep looking.

JAileen

That's a lot of money. Can you sew at all? Because it might be fun to try to do it yourself. And that would be free. I had a Pendleton 49er jacket that I narrowed the lapels and collar on. I paid $10 for the jacket, the alteration was free, so the total cost was still only $10 (math was always my strong suit!).

Helena

Hi, and welcome! Sorry to join the chorus of nays, but I do agree - the only exception being if you absolutely LOVE it and it will break your heart to let it go. Otherwise, I would probably cut my losses and find something that is just right for you!

CharlotteVale

Active Member

Thanks everyone... I sort of thought it would be mostly nays. Consider it donated.

JAileen ==> No, I don't sew. I wish I did and always admire people who can. As someone who is 5'1 and has to alter many things, that would sure come in handy.

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