Yes, a suit jacket can usually be taken in. Most jackets can be taken in at the sides and waist, and the sleeves can almost always be shortened. Shoulders are the exception, because they are the hardest part of a jacket to change and they have real limits. A skilled tailor can tell you in a few minutes what is possible for your jacket and what is not.
Taking In the Sides and Waist
This is the most common jacket alteration. The tailor opens the side seams, and sometimes the back seam, and brings the jacket in so it follows your shape instead of hanging like a box. This is often called waist suppression. How far a jacket can go depends on how much fabric was left in the seams when it was made. Most jackets have some room to give, which is often enough for a noticeably cleaner fit.
Shoulders: The Real Limits
Shoulders are built into the structure of a jacket, with padding, canvas, and the sleeve heads all sewn together in one place. Adjusting them means taking the jacket apart and rebuilding it, so the work is complex and costs more. Small adjustments are sometimes possible. If the shoulders are much too big or much too small, it is often wiser to start with a better-fitting jacket and tailor everything else. Ruby will tell you honestly whether shoulder work makes sense for yours.
Chest and Sleeves
A jacket that is loose across the chest can often be improved by taking it in through the side seams and, where the jacket allows, the center back. A jacket that is too tight is harder, because it depends on how much extra fabric is hidden inside the seams. Sleeves are the easiest fix. On most jackets they can be shortened at the cuff so a little shirt cuff shows at the wrist. Cuffs with working buttonholes take more time and may cost more, but they can still be done.
When a Different Jacket Is the Better Choice
If the shoulders do not fit, or the jacket needs several major changes at once, the cost of alterations can approach the cost of a jacket that fits better to begin with. A jacket that already fits in the shoulders and chest, and only needs the waist and sleeves adjusted, is usually a great candidate for tailoring. Ruby will give you a straight answer either way, so you never pay for work that will not help.
How to Know What Your Jacket Needs
Bring the jacket, a shirt, and the shoes you plan to wear with the suit. Ruby will pin the jacket, show you the changes, and give you a quote before any work begins. Our suit alteration cost guide lists typical price ranges, and how long suit alterations take explains timing if you are in a hurry.