Quote Originally Posted by Chef View Post
Well while it isn't always true, presume that you can't make a jacket bigger but you can make it smaller.
Jackets can be made larger and can be made smaller.


Quote Originally Posted by 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.
If you are a 42Reg then I'd order a 42Reg. English sizes and U.S. sizes are the same. Italian too. If you have a large gut and 40"-41" chest then many Italian and English 42s won't fit. Many American made jackets (such as those from Oxxford) won't either. Going to a 44 is not the solution. Going to a tailor and looking to either made to measure or bespoke is the solution. A good tailor can tweak a ready to wear jacket to make it fit as if made to measure--- why some RTW jackets such as those from Brioni, Kiton or Oxxford are more highly regarded by top-tier tailors than many a bespoke--- but only if its a ballpark fit. I'd look to the fit of the chest, the waist and especially the sleeves.