Finding Shoulder and Sleeve Measurements

[superpacker]

So I know there’s the much recommended “how to measure a jacket” thread (at least on my phone I can’t see the pictures). But how do you best determine shoulder and sleeve length without an existing flight jacket or similarly cut jacket? E.g., if I have a suit jacket with shoulders too big and another jacket too small, do I measure both and take an average? I also know shoulder affects sleeve length. Any recommendations

 

[Silver Surfer]

go to the platon's "how to measure properly". old thread, but it still can be found.

 

[superpacker]

Are you referring to the one permanently pinned to the top of this sub forum?

 

[Skip]

Best way to do it is, work out the kind of fit you want for the jacket you’re interested in, then try and find something similar in your closet, suit jacket usually comes close to an A2, if it’s got shoulder pads you’ll have to compensate.

Shoulders: measure straight across from the sleeve/epaulets join

Sleeve is a little more complex: with the sleeve slightly bent at the elbow, measure from shoulder/sleeve join and drag the tape around the outside of the sleeve, it can overlap a little in the elbow, and the continue on outside to end of cuff.

Yes shoulder width will affect the sleeve length to some degree, if you like your jackets with loose shoulders then the ends of the shoulders tend to drop increasing the sleeve length a little.

Another thing to bare in mind not all jackets measure the same even though they be the same size due to different patterns and features. Eg navy m422’s for the same size have different measurements compared to an A2, due of course to the navy bi-swing back and its differing construction

Hope this helps

 

[Silver Surfer]

yup, thats it. the gospel according to saint platon.

 

[mulceber]

In addition to focusing on shoulder and sleeve length, your chest measurement should be able to help as well. Unless you wear long sizes, a regular sized A-2 should fit you tolerably well, so if you find your chest circumference, you can ask the manufacturer you’re looking at buying from for the measurements for that size, and compare their sleeve and shoulder measurements to what you’ve been able to put together from following Skip’s advice. Sort of a way of checking your work, so you know what you’re diving into.

That said, different jackets fit different ways. I remember when I bought my first, I was basically jumping into thin air, because my only point of comparison was an Indy jacket, and even the same size has VERY different measurements from an A-2...

 

[Skip]

That said, different jackets fit different ways. I remember when I bought my first, I was basically jumping into thin air, because my only point of comparison was an Indy jacket, and even the same size has VERY different measurements from an A-2...

Quite! Purchasing a jacket unseen is scary business without knowing your measurements. Took me 4 jackets to work out my best fit. Expensive way to do it, but I think we’ve all suffered in that department eh

Then you go start all over again when you go from an A2 to your first USN jacket, not to mention the differences in fit characteristics of each maker. I’d be a size 40 for a Monarch but a 38 in an Ed Church, and even then it’d still feel like a tent on me compared to the Monarch.

 

[London Cabbie]

I remember when I bought my first, I was basically jumping into thin air, because my only point of comparison was an Indy jacket, a

Is the Indy a right of passage...?

 

[mulceber]

It very well might be! The design was inspired by the A-2, so a lot of people on here have managed to get a Raiders jacket along the way.

 

[Smithy]

The Indy jacket is also very practical and easier to wear than an A-2 with far more range of movement in the back and shoulders. It's also exceedingly versatile, you can wear it with a crappy old t-shirt, a pair of jeans and a beaten up old pair of boots or even with a pair of woollen trousers, dress shirt and a tie. The lack of knits makes a big difference. Might just be my experience but people seem to really like them, I would have had more positive comments about my Raiders jacket than my others and especially A-2s.

 

[London Cabbie]

I love my Raiders. I bought the goatskin washed it (didn’t need to,

on reflection) and it looks great. I agree it has a smart vintage or vintage casual feel.

 

[Beaner1]

Just a thought why don't jacket manufacturers do a sizing long sleeve t shirt with length marking on the sleeves and back for a given chest size? It would reduce some of the guess work in getting new jacket sizing somewhere near and I now wouldn't have a small mound of jackets on the bed in the back bedroom with notebook full of random/ confusing measurements?
Or am I overthinking it?

 

[Silver Surfer]

good thought, beaner. would save a lot of guys a lot of dough. naw..........how then would makers get repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat business?

 

[Beaner1]

Point taken but I would rather drop say £15 on a t shirt and know my chosen manufacturer now has a reference point to work from and can then guide me in from there for the style I am looking at eg A2, B3, Irvin.
Not quite the same thing but William Lennnon boots only do full sizes and I had to send Libbs a foot tracing so she could size me from there, don't see much difference in jackets as there are only 2 measurements that are of concern for a given chest size.
In regard to repeat business I think it would only increase brand loyalty think about it your a new fish (me) and say Aero send me said t shirt they now have a reference so if I want an Irvin they can let me know the back will be at say XX's and the arms will be at XX's or if I need a custom build then if I want an A2 again they can send me the jacket details based on my t shirt measurements.
If a customer has a great first order experience rather than say having to send back a jacket they have been waiting for month's to get made as it doesn't quite fit or looks kind of wrong in the mirror they are more likely to become loyal to that brand, we have all seen the photos in this forum of people asking the members opinion on jacket fit.
All that aside nothing is better than actually trying on the jacket but visits to Scotland and Devon are not currently on my travel agenda anytime soon however the thought of dragging the missus around a leather jacket man cave for a few hours does make me smile "quid pro quo Clarice". :0)

 

[Lord Flashheart]

I found some of the manufacturer sizing guidance online a bit inconsistent. Perhaps that's trying to show difference in the marketplace. I held off committing for a long while for this reason and whilst ELC pricing was eyewatering their pop-up store gave me the chance to try an A2 before buying and to me that was worth it for sizing. With all the ease of the internet it can't be good business to let someone order something they have to flip because the sizing wasn't clear. Once bitten twice shy etc...

After reading comments here I picked up a Wested Raiders and was interested to see just how much they explained about sizing of the original/custom replica Indy jacket and their stock model. That was really helpful. Mine's in cowhide and whilst it does weigh a ton the look works for me.

 

[Smithy]

After reading comments here I picked up a Wested Raiders and was interested to see just how much they explained about sizing of the original/custom replica Indy jacket and their stock model. That was really helpful. Mine's in cowhide and whilst it does weigh a ton the look works for me.

They're great jackets for the price and I agree, in terms of sizing guidelines and advice they're probably one of the best on the web.

Mine's cowhide too and I really love it.

 

[Lord Flashheart]

They're great jackets for the price and I agree, in terms of sizing guidelines and advice they're probably one of the best on the web.

Mine's cowhide too and I really love it.

If I can be honest Smithy... it’s particularly you I blame ....

 

[Smithy]

If I can be honest Smithy... it’s particularly you I blame ....

Guilty as charged!

...but I bet you're pleased you got one ;-)

 

[Lord Flashheart]

Yep. I’m pleased and to get back to topic the Wested gave me a good benchmark for what fits ok