Chieftan Waistcoat Fit

[vps]

Hi everyone. I recently ordered a chieftan style waistcoat, and it arrived yesterday. I'm trying to decide if it fits properly or not.

I expected (based only on photos on the website) that the two vertical sides would hang roughly parallel to each other. But in reality, the spread increases dramatically between neck and waist such that the gap is about 11" at the waist compared to about 4" at the neck.

Is this normal? The only measurement requested when I bought it was my chest size. I know the first thought is that I must have an ample belly or something that makes it spread apart , but no that's not the case at all.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks

Van

[Zardoz]

Firstly, let me say whereabouts in Texas are you?

Where did you order from? Was it a 'made to measure' or 'off the rack' item? Off the top of my head, while that style of waistcoat isn't really intended to close, I think based on the gap you have at the neck, it sounds like it might be a little small. A frequent discussion on here is how you ofter need to order a size up on jackets, vests, etc..

[Panache]

Van,

Welcome to XMTS!

Would it be possible for you to share a picture of you wearing it?

It would make it a lot easier for us to help you if we could see how it looks on you.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[RB51]

Don't know doodly about chieftan waistcoats, but welcome from the highlands of BC.

Laurie

[MacLowlife]

Welcome Van,

I suspect you got the wrong size- not because of something you did, necessarily, but not fitting, just the same. The chieftain I looked at looks as if it ought to actually fasten if you wanted to, though it could be worn open, which would probably look better. If yours does not give you the choice, it sounds tight.



Normal may not be what you want to ask this crowd about...

MacLL

[Zardoz]

Guys, it seems Van is having some issues posting, I've been on PM with him and forwarded it to the mods. He thanks you for the replies though!

[Lyle1]

I Googled "chieftan's waistcoat," and I'm finding two products. There is a chieftan's waistcoat on which the vertical edges hang rather straight; this style also has tails or flaps around the bottom, sort of like the PC. There is also a Jacobean waistcoat where the vertical edge is cut back from the top to the bottom, so the bottom edges are very far apart and could not be buttoned. Both are sleeveless with caps (?) at the top of the armhole. To confuse things, at least one vendor sells a "Jacobean chieftans waistcoat."

[vps]

I'm free! I'm free! (Well, free from the "you can't post here" prison anyway. ) Thanks Steve for finding the problem!

Thanks to everyone who has replied. I started to reply to everything via PM but it was ackward, so here are all the answers:

-I'm in Frisco, TX

-I ordered it from scotwebstore.com. This particular item: http://www.scotweb.co.uk/sr_swhdr_chieftainbro

-It doesn't appear to be fastenable, since it just has buttons on each side, no buttonhole/loop/etc.

- I contacted them and asked if I could return if for the next size up,but haven't received a reply yet. They did say they cannot alter it, saying "This style of waistcoat is designed to hang in a straight 'box like' fashion as it is not a fitted garment."

I did notice that in some pictures the lower front "flaps" seem to flank the sporran, and I'm not sure it extends far enough for that.

I'll try to post a pic later tonight. Oooh, first public kilt picture. Scary.

[vps]

Here's what the waistcoat looks like on me. You can't tell from this pic of course, but from the side the main side seam is pulled backward. So I'm guessing that another size larger may do the trick. And in a (L)ong instead of (R)egular if they have it.

I see I didn't do too good a job of lining up the center line when I dressed. I was in a hurry to get the picture taken. Oops.

[Zardoz]

Glad you got the posting issues sorted out Van!

That waistcoat definitely looks a bit small on you, I'd go up at least one size (2"). I think the length will work it self out once you get a better fit.