Jacket silhouette options

[kilted2000]

I’ve recently realized that my sloping shoulders and large belly are not that flattered with a traditional British-style cut jacket with big shoulders that tapers as you move down the jacket. Unfortunately, it seems most kilt jackets are made in this style. Other than going to the trouble and expense of having something bespoke made, where can I find kilt jackets with a silhouette that would flatter me more than this?

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[Father Bill]

Can't help on sources, but one comment right off the bat: Don't ever try to button it up. We rarely do.

Might help a wee bit anyway.

[Steve Ashton]

Most of the retailers who sell "Off-The-Rack" (OTR) jackets will also offer a "Made-To-Measure" (MTM) option.

The style and details of the jacket remain the same but are cut to the measurements you take and send in. With MTM you specify the fabric and things like the buttons too.

While the jacket in the photo may fit reasonably well at the hips it is far too large in the shoulders and chest. The sleeves are also too long for your arms. This is pretty normal for N. American guys. So I suggest you contact some of the retailers and ask if they offer MTM options. (I know USA Kilts does)



Even a guy who stands 5' 2", weighs 175lbs, with sloping shoulders and a pronounced pot belly can be fit with a good looking jacket by having it Made to Measure.

[VegasKilted]

I just needed to chime in and say Thank you.

Seriously, Steve. That is like the 5th useful thing I learned from you in the past 24 hours.

Also, Thank you to kilted2000 for the post.

[mddock58]

I have been lucky most of my life to have a body proportioned to work well with clothing off the rack.

Now I know many settle for the off the rack fit, but usually it fits almost perfectly as if made to measure.
I made many tailors happy in NYC when I was buying suits, because all they usually needed to alter was putting a hem in the slacks.

Truly the difference in the look of something that fits properly is a huge difference from having it almost fit. You will feel better and more confident when it fits "Right".

[OC Richard]

I have been lucky most of my life to have a body proportioned to work well with clothing off the rack.

Me too, my kilt jackets are mostly ex-hire or otherwise pre-owned and if the label says a certain thing, the jacket will fit perfectly.

The only problems I've run into was when sellers asked for additional information, then misinterpreted the data to create something that didn't fit right.

An example being J. Higgins. They make waistcoats in various lengths. Since all the Pipe Bands around here wear Higgins waistcoats I know exactly what size and what length to order (I've worn all the combinations at one time or another).

But!! The last time I ordered one there was a box to put in your height, which box had to be filled in to process the order.

I put in my correct height, and they interpreted that data as meaning that I had ordered the wrong length, ignored the length I specified, and sent me the length THEY thought I should wear.

Which of course was wrong for me.

So the next time I guessed (correctly) what height I should put to prevent them from overriding the length I ordered.

Recently I ordered a kilt jacket from another maker and they did the same thing! They ignored the length I specified and sent me the length they thought I needed.

I guess the lesson is to only tell them a size, and refuse to give any additional information they might ask for.