I think you look just fine. Still say no to remove the shoulder pads
Balmain Double breasted blazer help
- Thread starter madeleine86
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You look amazing in your Balmain!
It's definitely in your head & I think the fact you're tall only adds to the total look of a structured blazer! Congratulations on the baby!! Here's my last Balmain purchase of 2017 - I was obsessed w/ the red plaid @ the start of the season but I'll get much more wear out of this one I'm thinking & can't wait to see the metallic thread detailsAttachments
You look amazing in your Balmain!
Thanks! Very cute. I think you'll get more use out of this. Post pics when you get it in.
Hello Everyone, happy new year, wishing you all a very happy, healthy, and prosperous 2018. Thank you @randr21 for sharing this lovely thread with me today. Sorry for not having mod shots as i am under the weather and just wanted to pop by to share a few key things I have experienced owning a few of these balmain blazers.
I am 5'3" and fluctuate between 116-122 lbs. Small bust line 32 B, waist 25 - 26 inches and shoulders are 14.5 - 15 across. Also i hope you don't mind my sharing my alteration tips via the Balmain flagship boutique in N.Y.C. I purchased two of my four blazers from Saks.com during their 2016 summer sale in a size 36 because they don't carry a size 34. In any case Balmain in N.Y.C. at the time were over booked with alterations and so I agreed to have their seamstress alter my items which were not going be ready for two months from the date that I took them in.
She had me try them on and touted herself as a former saks seamstress who was now hired by the company because she was trained by the brand themselves.She opted to tell me that all the women at the time are requesting that their shoulder pads be switched out for the thinner version so that the blazers will not appear dated. I took her advice and she measured my shoulders in which we decided that the bodice was a great fit but the sleeves and the shoulders could be altered to a size 34. She stated that this was an easy and quick fix.
I had to repeatedly call the location up and inquire about my blazers because it was approaching the due date and I would need to be home to pick them up. In any case I was told that only one was ready after calling several times. I finally demanded that someone tell me when the items would be ready only to have them sent out a week after I was told that they would be ready. My items arrived to my dismay, the seamstress ruined the tan blazer by sewing the shoulder pads in a very poor manner and the shoulders themselves had a puckering effect on both blazers back portion. Since I have a long bob the entire back is clearly visible in which the puckering was so evident that it made the blazers look like a hack job.
I then called up and demanded that they fixed my blazers. I was told by the SA who was giving me the round around for two months to be there at 10:30 for my appointment with the seamstress because the location opens at 11 am. I arrived at 10 am and waited about for 20 mins. The security guard was looking out the glass pane when I was waiting and I asked if I could enter? He opened the door and told me no!, not until 11 am. So I stood in the the cold of Winter while it was raining and a few of the Balmain employees walked passed me never acknowledging me including the seamstress. I finally told the security guard to get the SA who made the appointment to assist me in which she came to the door at 10:55 and allowed me in.
I was so angry that I unleashed on the seamstress who was smiling at me. I did not know why a gentleman was in the dressing room with us but he finally introduced himself and asked why I did not call inside the boutique and asked to be let in as if I should have know this? In any case he was lovely and listened to me scream at the seamstress who tried to justify the process by saying that anyone would need more than one fitting with her. I was never told this to begin with, I can understand that point but I was told my items would be ready upon her taking my measurements.
Also I should note that the shoulders were still too large on my frame because she knew it was not altered at all. I had only dropped off my tan blazer because I was over it at this point. The gentleman reassured me that my blazer would be altered asap to my liking and sent out to me within two days. When I received my item it was altered to my measurements however the lining had so many rips and attempts at resewning under the arm pits that I am afraid it will tear and only wear it sparely.
Sorry for my rambling, if you have any questions and have made it this far then thank you for reading. Take care, As far as structure, the ones with the replaced shoulder pads do not make my small frame appear as if I am wearing an item from the 80's. The woven material does stretch out in my opinion more than the wool versions. Also Harrods sent me the Black blazer instead of the Navy that was on sale but the texture is similar to my sable / tan version in a lighter material with a slimmer shoulder pad. (not bulky like my others)
1.Tan Blazer Saks.com $1034.82 usd Size 36 (perfect for Spring or Fall in N.Y. and heavy woven
material)
2. Navy wool / Twill Blazer Saks.com $684.51 usd Final Sale item Size 36 (wished it was more soft)
3. Black wool Blazer NM.com $632.86 usd Size 34 cannot wear it buttoned by i did not intend to
4. Black Woven Blazer Harrods $607.60 usd Size 34 (Last pic is of the navy I ordered from Harrods but received the black version instead perfect for Spring Summer)
I am 5'3" and fluctuate between 116-122 lbs. Small bust line 32 B, waist 25 - 26 inches and shoulders are 14.5 - 15 across. Also i hope you don't mind my sharing my alteration tips via the Balmain flagship boutique in N.Y.C. I purchased two of my four blazers from Saks.com during their 2016 summer sale in a size 36 because they don't carry a size 34. In any case Balmain in N.Y.C. at the time were over booked with alterations and so I agreed to have their seamstress alter my items which were not going be ready for two months from the date that I took them in.
She had me try them on and touted herself as a former saks seamstress who was now hired by the company because she was trained by the brand themselves.She opted to tell me that all the women at the time are requesting that their shoulder pads be switched out for the thinner version so that the blazers will not appear dated. I took her advice and she measured my shoulders in which we decided that the bodice was a great fit but the sleeves and the shoulders could be altered to a size 34. She stated that this was an easy and quick fix.
I had to repeatedly call the location up and inquire about my blazers because it was approaching the due date and I would need to be home to pick them up. In any case I was told that only one was ready after calling several times. I finally demanded that someone tell me when the items would be ready only to have them sent out a week after I was told that they would be ready. My items arrived to my dismay, the seamstress ruined the tan blazer by sewing the shoulder pads in a very poor manner and the shoulders themselves had a puckering effect on both blazers back portion. Since I have a long bob the entire back is clearly visible in which the puckering was so evident that it made the blazers look like a hack job.
I then called up and demanded that they fixed my blazers. I was told by the SA who was giving me the round around for two months to be there at 10:30 for my appointment with the seamstress because the location opens at 11 am. I arrived at 10 am and waited about for 20 mins. The security guard was looking out the glass pane when I was waiting and I asked if I could enter? He opened the door and told me no!, not until 11 am. So I stood in the the cold of Winter while it was raining and a few of the Balmain employees walked passed me never acknowledging me including the seamstress. I finally told the security guard to get the SA who made the appointment to assist me in which she came to the door at 10:55 and allowed me in.
I was so angry that I unleashed on the seamstress who was smiling at me. I did not know why a gentleman was in the dressing room with us but he finally introduced himself and asked why I did not call inside the boutique and asked to be let in as if I should have know this? In any case he was lovely and listened to me scream at the seamstress who tried to justify the process by saying that anyone would need more than one fitting with her. I was never told this to begin with, I can understand that point but I was told my items would be ready upon her taking my measurements.
Also I should note that the shoulders were still too large on my frame because she knew it was not altered at all. I had only dropped off my tan blazer because I was over it at this point. The gentleman reassured me that my blazer would be altered asap to my liking and sent out to me within two days. When I received my item it was altered to my measurements however the lining had so many rips and attempts at resewning under the arm pits that I am afraid it will tear and only wear it sparely.
Sorry for my rambling, if you have any questions and have made it this far then thank you for reading. Take care, As far as structure, the ones with the replaced shoulder pads do not make my small frame appear as if I am wearing an item from the 80's. The woven material does stretch out in my opinion more than the wool versions. Also Harrods sent me the Black blazer instead of the Navy that was on sale but the texture is similar to my sable / tan version in a lighter material with a slimmer shoulder pad. (not bulky like my others)
1.Tan Blazer Saks.com $1034.82 usd Size 36 (perfect for Spring or Fall in N.Y. and heavy woven
material)
2. Navy wool / Twill Blazer Saks.com $684.51 usd Final Sale item Size 36 (wished it was more soft)
3. Black wool Blazer NM.com $632.86 usd Size 34 cannot wear it buttoned by i did not intend to
4. Black Woven Blazer Harrods $607.60 usd Size 34 (Last pic is of the navy I ordered from Harrods but received the black version instead perfect for Spring Summer)
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Good Morning @juneping thank you so very much, it was def. a learning experience. I had purchased the first two that Balmain ruined from SAKS so unfortunately I knew that it was my issue since I chose to alter them with the brand. If SAKS had altered them then I could have been able to get them to refund me for doing it so poorly. I do love them and still try to wear them as much as I can.
Oh on a side note Balmain and Farfetch are both currently selling the black that Harrods sent to me at full retail price of $2095 usd and it's listed as part of their new SS18 collection so I guess Harrods made a mistake in marking down this item. Hope you are having a lovely day
Wow! What a nightmare. I'm so sorry. I wonder if the bigger problem wasn't changing out the shoulder pads as much as trying to make the 36 shoulders smaller which I would imagine is a lot more cutting and resewing. And I love your collection of blazers! I just got in the same one in white with silver buttons as I preordered in pink from Neiman's (from Harrods during their 10% off sale), and tried it on and it was so incredibly tight I want to cry. I guess I'll have to wait until I give birth by a couple of months to lose the weight to be able to wear it. I hope it's not the material that's actually tighter.
Good afternoon @stylishmommy, thank you so much for your wonderful compliment. Oh I am not sure hun about the alteration process being the problem. Whilst I was there, i was interested in the camel coat version in which the SA pushed the idea that the seamstress is so fab at her job that they can alter the coat to fit me better in the shoulders but after they did this to a simple blazer I did not trust them to do a great job. I actually believe that if you purchase from their flagship location then they will do a wonderful job but if you bring in your items that you purchased from elsewhere then they will rush the process and could care less about your item. Just a hunch that I have.
I love your blazer as well and it fits you wonderfully. I am sorry that it's tight at the moment. Wishing you a wonderful new year with your soon to be bundle of joy. May you have a happy and healthy delivery.
I love your blazer as well and it fits you wonderfully. I am sorry that it's tight at the moment. Wishing you a wonderful new year with your soon to be bundle of joy. May you have a happy and healthy delivery.
Welcome fally! I cannot believe that happened to you. That's why I try to buy items that wouldn't need to much alterations, but you did get amazing colors and the prices can't be beat. The inside lining can't be changed out, and no one can see it when worn. I'm sure you look fab in them.
Do you have a preference for textured, wool or crepe?
Hello dear @randr21, oh thank you hun, I too have started purchasing my items in size 34 when it comes to their blazers or coats. I actually love the basket weave versions during the fall months over the wool versions because they are so much more comfortable whilst the wool is a bit restrictive. I also find that the woven version are a bit more relaxed and casual while my wool ones are more polished / refined. I wish to own a crepe version soon sweetie, as I have not found a color like the khaki & gray one that I missed out on a few years back.
How come this is so cheap!!!! This is a steal! I thought I was getting the best deal on Net-A-Porter
Thanks so much! What a compliment. I couldn't tell you how it's so cheap. The only sizes left usually are the smallest or largest. I haven't been able to pick any up anywhere close to this price. I'm terrified of waiting for extra discounts on sales on colors I really want because I've missed out on a few colors that I couldn't find anywhere else. I have the Citi American Airlines card and with that card they have a perk called price rewind. With that you can buy an item, and if in 60 days you find it for cheaper (even from somewhere else, and doesn't matter the size) you can send in a claims form with your receipt, evidence of you having bought it on your card, and proof of cheaper price and the credit card will do a price adjustment. There is a limit on this perk of $2,500 a year, and the max per rewind you can get is $500. I haven't used this on any of these blazers but I've used it on a lot of other things I've bought and it's great.