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A2 jackets and sizing

C

chickenrice

New Member
In your experience, how do you guys recommend sizing leather A2 jackets to maintain arm mobility when buttoned up? I'm looking at A2 jackets and find that they have a some variety of pit to pit sizes. My chest is a size 40, so how much bigger would you recommend the jacket chest size be? Right now, I'm thinking that +6 value sounds good, so I would be looking for one with a pit to pit of 23" or a total chest size of 46 inches. What do you guys think? I was thinking that a 22" pit to pit (or a total of 44" chest circumference) may be too restricting and anything more than 23" PTP/46" chest circumference may end up being too blousy. This is all assuming the jacket is just leather and lining with no insulation and is made of goatskin.
 
coolhandluke

coolhandluke

Well-Known Member
39.5" chest here and a 22" PTP measurement has been the optimal measurement for me in an A-2. A size 42 A-2 will generally carry a PTP measurement in the 22" - 22.5" neighborhood, so a tag size of 46 would be overkill. Here are two jackets with 22" PTP measurements for reference...

20241112_084545.jpg


20241115_085411.jpg
 
Greg Gale

Greg Gale

Well-Known Member
I have a 39' chest and 21.5" is my sweet spot. 22' is already a little too blousy. Been there, tried that.

21.5' chest:

IMG_0750.jpg


22' chest:

IMG_0748.jpg


It may not be apparent in the photos but the 21.5' (russet) one is a much better fit. The seal one is good if I want to wear a sweater and a scarf, otherwise all that leather jsut gets in the way.
 
C

chickenrice

New Member
coolhandluke said:
39.5" chest here and a 22" PTP measurement has been the optimal measurement for me in an A-2. A size 42 A-2 will generally carry a PTP measurement in the 22" - 22.5" neighborhood, so a tag size of 46 would be overkill. Here are two jackets with 22" PTP measurements for reference...

View attachment 170339

View attachment 170341
Click to expand...

I meant a total chest circumference of 46" not a the tag size. Nice jackets. Are you able to move your arms up freely, for example when answering a phone? I'm guessing you already tried 23" PTP and it ended up feeling too baggy?
Greg Gale said:
I have a 39' chest and 21.5" is my sweet spot. 22' is already a little too blousy. Been there, tried that.

21.5' chest:

View attachment 170347

22' chest:

View attachment 170345

It may not be apparent in the photos but the 21.5' (russet) one is a much better fit. The seal one is good if I want to wear a sweater and a scarf, otherwise all that leather jsut gets in the way.
Click to expand...

The jacket I'm looking at is also seal brown and similarly sized. Are you able to move your arms freely or is there a good amount of resistance if you try to move them up, for example while talking on your phone.
 
B-Man2

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
If your chest size is 40 inches in circumference . You will not be happy with a size 44 jacket . I would listen to the other two fellows ( Luke and Greg) . They have great looking /fitting A2 jackets .
I’d suggest that you compare your measurements to the measurements of the jacket you’re interested in purchasing and disregard the sizing numbers of the jacket .
That’s one sure way to get a proper fitting jacket right from the start.
 
Brettafett

Brettafett

Well-Known Member
Further to the 100% points abvove.

Good rule of thumb is if you of average build, to go up one size from your chest circumference.
So a 40", wear a 42"

An A-2 is not always the same as an A-2. Contracts/ patterns differ, jacket makers' patterns often have small variances etc.

Are you looking at a modern goat 'generic' A-2? Or a mid to high end repro of a WW2 contract?
Big difference. Very big difference.

Goat is a bit more giving than most horsehides, so that helps.

A lot depends on your body type. You could be a 40" chest, but have a long body/ arms, so a 42 regular may work, but you may also need to add an inch or more to lengths to make it fit comfortably.
Not all makers will do long sizes.
You may be a really trim, skinny 40", then a 40 may work.
If you are wider at the waist, or have very broad shoulders, then you may need to go up 2 sizes etc.

Another point, is that if mobility is a concern for you, consider a G-1 type. The bi-swing back and rayon lining makes for a very practical and comfortable wearer.
A-2s by their nature are a bit restrictive. Saying that, few I know complain about it. Many here fly in their A-2s.
You can still pick up original G-1s for very reasonable sums.
 
coolhandluke

coolhandluke

Well-Known Member
chickenrice said:
I meant a total chest circumference of 46" not a the tag size. Nice jackets. Are you able to move your arms up freely, for example when answering a phone? I'm guessing you already tried 23" PTP and it ended up feeling too baggy?


The jacket I'm looking at is also seal brown and similarly sized. Are you able to move your arms freely or is there a good amount of resistance if you try to move them up, for example while talking on your phone.
Click to expand...

As Greg and Brett already mentioned, there's going to be some degree of restriction, unless you are in a drastically oversized jacket. It's just part of the A-2 pattern. If you plan to layer or wear thick sweaters, a 23" pit to pit would work, but you may not like the fit if wearing just a t-shirt. At a certain point, the extra room becomes counterproductive and you feel like you're swimming in the jacket. Especially if the hide is somewhat stiff and doesn't drape easily.

If you were a bigger guy, I'd definitely recommend going with a tag size that is 4-6" larger than your chest measurement. If you're an average build (without a belly), one size up should be fine like Brett recommend. I would think a 42 with a 22.5" PTP would work well for you. 22" if you're just wearing t-shirts underneath. I would suggest doing some research into the different contracts as you will find that some manufacturers' patterns offer a bit better mobility. For reference, I love how a Dubow looks, but their small back panels do cause mobility issues. Also, be aware that there will be some degree of shrinkage as the jacket ages. Especially with certain types of horsehide. Better to go slightly oversized, than slightly too small.
 
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CBI

CBI

Well-Known Member
I am a 41.5 to 42 chest, the same measurement for my waist. My ideal chest is 23 1/2. Gives me room to move around and at least on me, the jacket will drape pretty well. Many A-2s will have a slightly more narrow waist which can really mess things up in re a good fit. A 23 chest can work for me but its gets snug in the waist. Honestly for so many folks, the waist can be a huge factor and its amazing how often that measurement is not included in specs. Guilty of it myself.........and yes, its going to depend on the contract.
 
Micawber

Micawber

Well-Known Member
Way back when men were men, women were women and everything was in black and white I had the dubious pleasure of working in tailoring and outfitting. The rule back then was to add 2 inches to the actual chest measurement as taken around the entire chest a little below the armpits using a flexible tape. The subject needed to be relaxed and the tape gripped between the thumb and fingers of one hand with the thumb on the outside and fingers between the tape and chest.

There is no mystery, and the A-2 jacket is just that, a basic jacket.
 
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