Jacket help.

[Ian.MacAllan]

Rates and extents of growth vary considerably from person to person. The Harris tweed suit my father gave me when I was 18 continued to fit satisfactorily for nearly 50 years (except of course during periods of obesity). As it turned out, I had attained full growth at 16, but there was no way of knowing that at the time.

Much of life is like this: you make your choice, and pay your money, and only later (sometimes much later) do you find out how wise that choice was.

On the whole I think the decision to buy the coat is less likely to lead to regret than the contrary decision, but it's your life, your money, your choice.

Good luck!

.

[Mac Daibhidh]

As mentioned... you're going to continue to "change shape" well after your early 20's (and 30's for that matter!)

I can appreciate the budget concious. Just follow some of the other advice... it can always be sold later on down the road. and hey, you might be able to benefit from someone else who's "changed shape" and get a good deal off them.

good luck.

[puffer]

Here are pictures of Victoria's work. ( the "Crail/Argyle" looks FAR BETTER on. It is well tailored)


Puffer

[puffer]

It is a fact of life that in the Scottish community (and society in general) a well dressed young gentlemen is, in the first instance, given a degree of greater respect by old timers, and old farts alike. It will be up to you to continue to earn that respect, but from the get-go you will have an edge over anyone else who isn't as well dressed.

I WISH more of our Young Men would take this to HEART.

BTW, it isn't only us "old timers" & "old farts" that feel this way. I have 2 Beautiful Daughters (22 & 27) That even as teenagers felt that way. In fact, if you took them out to nice restaurant, or to "nice" event dressed "otherwise", it was the LAST TIME. It was not because they were "snooty", but they felt it showed a lack of respect, not only for them, for for the young man himself. (They still feel this way)

Puffer

[Snowbear]

I would go for a nice jacket. I know it may not fit when you are 22-23, but that's another 4-5 years far into the future. At daily basis I do math, so as always I can do some math here as well:

You buy a jacket for £160 and it fits for let's say 4 years. That makes it £40 for each year to own a jacket.

Consider having a jacket for £40 a year, is'nt that worth it? Considering that now that you finally belongs to the rank of grown people, you will enjoy the last years of the youth with a kilt&jacket that gives you all the glory a kilt can give. (And you could even put it on for sale for £80 when you'r done with it; that makes it £20 a year)

Don't put me responsible, but this is the way I think when questions like these gets attached on my brain.

[Bugbear]

Yes, Captain Tonga, there can be changes in your body shape over your twenties that will make all your jackets hopelessly unfitting. Somewhere in my mid-twenties the bone structure of my shoulders widened and it was very sad to have lost several very high quality suits to that effect.

You can, though, always find others who will be glad to have what no longer fits you.

[thescot]

I agree completely with everything MacMillan of Rathdown and Puffer wrote.

Nothing looks as good as fine clothing, and a well-turned out gentleman is still in demand and appreciated. YOu might be like me. I was still able to wear trousers and suits at aged 30 that I had bought at age 17. (I have sense gotten over all that, but that's another story.)

Money spent on good clothes is money well spent. An inexpensive kilt is fine, but it doesn't match a custom tank and never will. So, as asked above, what can you and will you spend?

However, you really should at least consider having a nice jacket customized. A good tailor like Victoria can do wonders with a regular jacket, and it is nearly like a custom made argyl in that it can be fitted to you.

Good look in whatever you choose. Like you, I could wait to get a good tweed jacket myself.

[Bryan]

Not to make your head swell, but you are always the snazziest of snazzy dressers!

[slohairt]

A well-tailored and fitted jacket looks great, but if you can fit into an off-the-rack jacket, that should be fine too. Who knows, you might not grow anymore. I'm the same size at age 34 that I was at age 15! (6' 2" 170 lbs.)

[Captain Tonga]

Right, What a community. Thanks alot.
So in conclusion:
1. Find out if off the rack jackets are gonna fit me.
2. If so, get a nice ex-rental in my size.
3. If not, look for a second hand jacket in my measurments.
4. If all else fails, buy a tailored jacket and waistcoat.
Because as has been said, even if I spend 160 on a jacket that only lasts me 4 years, that's only 40 per year. Which is entirely reasonable.

Again thanks for all the help.
Regards, Tonga.