Jackets--North of St.Andrews sale

[McMurdo]

Yep if you wear a 40 order one size up, as for me my local tartan shop has some used jackets on consignment hiden away at the back, just waiting for my next pay.

[auld argonian]

As re the sizing, I seem to remember somewhere that someone mentioned that they figure a "snug" fit as opposed to one that allows a lot of "roominess"...that those of us on this side of the Atlantic tend to favor what is euphemistically refered to as the "athletic" fit. Anybody can cast a bit more light on this, please chime in...

Best


AA

[Chef]

As re the sizing, I seem to remember somewhere that someone mentioned that they figure a "snug" fit as opposed to one that allows a lot of "roominess"...that those of us on this side of the Atlantic tend to favor what is euphemistically refered to as the "athletic" fit. Anybody can cast a bit more light on this, please chime in...

Best
AA

Well I think you are referring to is the amount of "drop" (the difference between the chest measurement and the waist. America manufacturers usually have a smaller drop (therefore larger waist measurement) than European manufacturers do. As an example, in the US I find I take a 42 or 44 jacket and then I always need to have the waist taken in. In the UK I buy a 44 or 46 and don't need to have the waist taken in. Go figure.

The "Althetic" fit is the opposite of the standard in the us. The idea of the Athletic fit is wider shoulders and narrower waist.

Anyway the reason I asked about their sizing is I find some kilt jackets seem to be sized the same as standard jackets and some tend to run tight for the same size and so you need to go a size up.

[RockyR]

If you're a "normal build", then you (in my experience) should order a size up. If you normally wear a 42 Reg in a suit jacket size (and it fits fine in the body and shoulders), order a 44 Reg in Kilt Jacket from the UK.

The tricky part is when you are a bit wisproportioned... if you have a VERY large belly or have a VERY athletic cut (6 pack abs and broad chest). Then you may need to get a jacket tailored to your exact measurements so it will either close in the front (if you're big) or won't be too baggy in the front (if you're athletic).

[auld argonian]

Okay...not to belabor the point, but if your chest actually measures 41 and a 40 is too snug and while a 42 fits the shoulders always seem to look a little too "Clark Kent-y" (for those who remember the old Superman TV series from the fifties)...where would that put me?

Best

AA

[Nanook]

Okay...not to belabor the point, but if your chest actually measures 41 and a 40 is too snug

If its "too snug". Really depends upon the tailor, resp. designer.

and while a 42 fits the shoulders always seem to look a little too "Clark Kent-y" (for those who remember the old Superman TV series from the fifties)...where would that put me?

Go visit a good tailor. Get the 42 and have the tailor pull it in. Its not much work (so should not be too expensive) to pull in it for a perfect fit.
If you were, however, serious with the "Clark Kent" I'd gather that you are short and probably in want of a bit lighter a jacket with less padding. Find a good men's shop with a good tailor and let the tailor help you work out your fit. Finding a good tailor, I do realize, is like finding a needle in a haystack but you will be apt to find them at some of the better shops selling not just brands like Oxxford, Regent, Brioni or Kiton but also Chester Barrie (not quite the stuff of 'ol which was clearly of the first league but I hear not bad either), Windsor, Canali, Ermenegildo Zegna, and a host of other good makers that don't glue their suits together. Shops with relatively expensive ready-to-wear suits (in the beyond $1000 USD class) tend to have call to find some good tailors to keep in business as their customers don't want to spend 1000s of dollars to look like "schleps".