Looking at argyles, but what length?

[bubba]

Take a trip to a mens clothing shop and try on some jackets to find out what size fits best, short, regular or long.

[Avonlea22]

Now, excuse my ignorance, but they are referring to the length of the overall jacket, and not the sleeves, right?

[bubba]

It referres to sleeve length. The length of the jacket is proportional to the sleeve length and depends on the style and cut.

[Prester John]

I believe it's both.

I was measured by a tailor who told me 48R, but the sleeves were way too long. So either I have a long body or short arms or both.

I still don't know what I should do!

[HeathBar]

Now, excuse my ignorance, but they are referring to the length of the overall jacket, and not the sleeves, right?

Yes and no. I wear a 48L (L= Long). If I was to put on a 48 regular or a short, the sleeves would be too short. The length of the jacket would also be shorter. It would probably fit me throughout the chest,but not anywear else.
Kilt jackets, be it PC or Argyll, are cut shorter than a spoartcoat. That way it does not cover the pleats. There is also a "cut out" in the front to allow room for the sporran.
You mentioned in an earlier post that you had a tuxedo jacket, If it fits OK, you could probably use its size as a guide.
However, kilt jackets are usually a tighter fit, so you might have to go one size smaller. Talk with sales people, they can give you proper measurements you need for the best fitting jacket.

[Avonlea22]

I do have a tux jacket, and it fits well, but I'm curently on a weight loss program, so within a few months, I will hopefully be smaller (would not order the jacket until that time).

Do finer department stores sell argyle "type" jackets? If I were to go in and get measures, if I told them I'm ordering a jacket over the internet, and I have a choice between regular, long, etc., would they have the knowledge to tell me what I need, or do I just geuss?

This doesn't seem to be an easy task when you can't just go try it on.

[HeathBar]

Do finer department stores sell argyle "type" jackets? If I were to go in and get measures, if I told them I'm ordering a jacket over the internet, and I have a choice between regular, long, etc., would they have the knowledge to tell me what I need, or do I just geuss?

If only they did. Unfortnately, if you don't have a local higland wear shop nearby,your only option is internet/mail order.
As for proper measurement, you can always go to a formal wear shop, and asked to be sized for jacket with tails. They are probably the closest thing to the cut of a kilt jacket in the way they fit.

[macwilkin]

Do finer department stores sell argyle "type" jackets? If I were to go in and get measures, if I told them I'm ordering a jacket over the internet, and I have a choice between regular, long, etc., would they have the knowledge to tell me what I need, or do I just geuss?

Any good tailor should be able to take a look at the measuring instructions provided by Higgins and then measure you.

T.

[Alan]

Some jackets come with the sleeves unfinished. Just take them to a tailor and get them hemed. that way you know it will fit

[Zardoz]

I've got a lot of stuff, including an argyle jacket from J.Higgins. They are nice folks. I'm pleased with my jacket, it's nicely made from good weight material, with good details and functional pockets, including 2 inside pockets, which you don't always get on 'basic' or lower priced coats.

A bad picture of me in it can be found here; http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...t=14549&page=1

I was also concerned about fit and length. I generally need to get the sleeves shortened on most off the rack coats, so I measured a sportcoat that fits, and then called Higgins and talked to a sales rep. And I ended up with a jacket that fit well right out of the box. I went for the gauntlet cuffs, but if you are leaning toward the straight or PC cuff, I figure those will be easier to alter for length than the gauntlets if you need to.