Dressmakers- how can I hold jacket closed?

[iheartdusty]

I have bought a new suit for new job, and the jacket is lovely, sale bargain, nice fit - but the buttons finish a touch too low, underneath the bustline (quite busty). It may gape. I can move the reveres together a bit higher up, which looks good with the line of the jacket, but not sure how to hold them together.

Is there a clever trick I can do?
(I am no great sewer, but could attach a hook or something...)

ps it is this jacket

the cut of the jacket is made for the buttons where they are. i can't see that it would still look good if you put something higher up.

also i would not risk an expensive jacket with this sort of fix. unless you are an experienced sewer i would not attempt anything. if you really must do something take it to a local dressmakers to get them to tell you what they think.

You are wearing a blouse or top underneath the jacket? Do you have to wear it done up?

I think the most I would do is try to press the jacket - through a slightly damp cloth, so it doesn't scorch - so that the fold of the lapels is slightly higher, if you see what I mean.

What will you wear beneath it?

yes, I just hate the effect of my bust pushing the jacket open. I normally sit facing people at work, so if my jacket is open I might as well not be wearing it really.

ok i can see that big bust would make this gape - being of the big busted kind myself, but i dont really think a hook'n'eye would look right but it wouldn't hurt the jacket to try it just buy a pack of hook'n'eyes and tack on with a few stitches on the back of the lapels to see how it looks/works.

sorry, stillcrazy, I missed your post. Yes, pressing it could work.

Otherwise I will have a think about putting a hook on and see if I can hide it behind the other lapel.

thanks all.

OK here is a suggestion. Unpick the buttons VERY NEATLY and sew them back on as far to the edge as you reasonably can. this will give you about another 3/4 inch and if the waist is looser it should skim over the top.

Are you sure it gapes? If you wore a dark plain top underneath rather than a light blouse spilling out, it may not draw attention to it. Are you sure you have a good bra that lifts the bust up out of the way?

Just saying this because I thought deep V necks that fastened below the bust were meant to be the right thing to wear for this shape, rather than buttons straining to be closed over it. I hate gaping necklines and am often adding hooks to them, but they usually pull weirdly and look worse - better to wear a camisole under and be out and proud.

tootootired, thanks, that was a really helpful post.

I hadn't considered the bra point, though I do need some new ones.

Definitely: new job, new underwear. This bra is a good gravity defying one & you can wear it under anything.

Love the jacket by the way, wonder whether they have any more?

very nice bra, I will get me to Bravissimo.