Many coats and jackets are worth repairing long after the lining tears or a zip breaks. Before you decide, ask yourself a few questions and bring the coat in for an honest opinion.
- Is the outer fabric still in good condition? Linings, zips, buttons and pocket bags can be replaced. Thin, worn-through cloth is harder to save.
- Where is the damage? A split seam can usually be re-sewn almost invisibly. A hole in the middle of a panel is more visible, even when mended carefully.
- Does it still fit? If the coat is now too tight or too loose, ask whether it can be altered at the same time.
- What would a new one cost? Compare the repair price with replacing a coat of the same quality, not with the cheapest coat in the shop.
Moth holes, worn cuffs and broken zips are common reasons to give up on a coat, but they are also among the most common repairs. Ask for the price and how the repair will look before any work starts, then decide.