Sometimes you might get lucky and find a suit that fits you perfectly straight off the rack. Other times, though, a suit may be close to fitting, but not quite right. Tailors are experts at being able to alter suit jackets to fit their wearers. But how can you tell if your suit jacket needs to be altered? Look for these four key signs.

The shoulders of the suit hang past your shoulders.

When you try on the jacket, pay close attention to where the shoulders of the jacket sit. If they extend past your shoulders, then your suit jacket definitely needs an alteration. A tailor can easily cut some of the material back where the shoulders meet the collar, creating a more precise fit that doesn't leave you looking like your shoulders are really baggy.

Your waist has no shape.

When properly tailored, a suit jacket should give you a bit of a waistline. If your jacket fits straight up and down and basically makes it look like you're built like a tall rectangle, then you should consider having it altered. A few stitches to tuck the jacket in at the waist can make a huge difference. Note that many suit jackets are cut straight with the assumption that the buyer will have it altered to better suit their body. 

The buttons pull when you move.

Always move around in every direction when you try on a suit jacket. If you feel like the buttons are pulling when you bend in a certain way, then the suit jacket needs to be altered. It's not always easy to tell where the jacket needs to be fixed, but a tailor will take a look, make some measurements, and ensure the coat is altered in a way that gives you a little more room for movement.

The sleeves reach past your palms.

The sleeves on a jacket should just reach to your palms when your arms are relaxed and hanging down at your sides. This way, they'll still cover everything when you bend your arm. If the sleeves reach down past your palms, then you need to have the jacket altered to avoid having it look baggy and sloppily made. 

More often than not, a suit jacket will need a little nip and tuck before it fits you properly. Luckily, many tailors are experts at this, and they can do a great job of mending your suit as needed if you run into any of the issues above. For more information about suit alterations, contact a local tailor near you to learn more.