Got my first B-3 Jacket today. Looking for fit advice. How should it fit?

[Shin]

Hi
So I just got my first B-3 jacket today. Length wise it feels a bit stranger than my usual leather jackets. Turns out the front length is actually shorter than the back length (whereas most of my leather jackets are the opposite). So the jacket ends up hanging juuust at my belt line. I know B-3s are supposed to be worn short, but do you think this is the right way to wear it?

I'm 188 cm or 6ft2, and the jacket's back length is 64 cm or 25.25 inches.

Anyways thanks for your advices.

20181205_113723

• Shin
• Dec 5, 2018

20181205_115043

• Shin
• Dec 5, 2018

This is me trying on a high waisted trousers to see if it helps with the front length shortness.

20181205_154201

• Shin
• Dec 5, 2018

More pictures are attached here:
https://imgur.com/a/YAXtO6N

 

[Dav]

Looks a little short to me, personally I like a bit more room as well.

 

[Bfd70]

Before proceeding I’ll say that NOBODY kills it in a B3 like Dav and that his reply should carry more weight than this or any that follow.

My opinion: Wow! Talk about NAILED IT! Gorgeous jacket and i think the fit looks just right. I think the slimness looks good on you and the sleeves are great.
I’ll add a caveat which i think should apply to all fit pics. Whenever a “how does this fit” picture is shown the wearer is standing still arms outstretched posing for lack of a better term. However, how often do you assume a pose and will it be relevant to how you actually wear the jacket. One owner may use the jacket to chase around a few magnificent dogs and would prefer one type of fit. If another owner were to say spend time in the jacket seated in a car or train on a commute i think they eould prefer it a bit shorter. In my limited experience these jackets when longer tend to push up when seated. I think if you look at historical photos it seems that while sleeve and chest fits vary greatly and seldom hit what members here would choose, a common theme is they tend to be worn short. I believe this to be for funtional purposes. Now, if you plan on walking around mostly in the jacket a little length is good for keeping air out and the back side warm.

Edit* also, when you shoot a photo from a lower vantage it makes the jacket look short. Try posting one from the same angle as Dav.

 

[Peacoat]

Doesn't look too short to me. Looks just right. Can't tell about the torso fit, though, as it is unzipped. Beautiful jacket.

 

[scottyrocks]

I would be uncomfortable in a jacket as short as the OP's, especially in the cold. The length of Dav's jacket looks ideal.

 

[Shin]

Looks a little short to me, personally I like a bit more room as well. View attachment 147098

Yup I agree. This fits you perfectly! May I ask what's your height and what is the back and front length of your jacket?

 

[Shin]

Doesn't look too short to me. Looks just right. Can't tell about the torso fit, though, as it is unzipped. Beautiful jacket.

Thanks! There are more pictures of me wearing it zipped.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I too much prefer the body length of Nick's ( Dav ) jacket.

 

[Shin]

Before proceeding I’ll say that NOBODY kills it in a B3 like Dav and that his reply should carry more weight than this or any that follow.

My opinion: Wow! Talk about NAILED IT! Gorgeous jacket and i think the fit looks just right. I think the slimness looks good on you and the sleeves are great.
I’ll add a caveat which i think should apply to all fit pics. Whenever a “how does this fit” picture is shown the wearer is standing still arms outstretched posing for lack of a better term. However, how often do you assume a pose and will it be relevant to how you actually wear the jacket. One owner may use the jacket to chase around a few magnificent dogs and would prefer one type of fit. If another owner were to say spend time in the jacket seated in a car or train on a commute i think they eould prefer it a bit shorter. In my limited experience these jackets when longer tend to push up when seated. I think if you look at historical photos it seems that while sleeve and chest fits vary greatly and seldom hit what members here would choose, a common theme is they tend to be worn short. I believe this to be for funtional purposes. Now, if you plan on walking around mostly in the jacket a little length is good for keeping air out and the back side warm.

Edit* also, when you shoot a photo from a lower vantage it makes the jacket look short. Try posting one from the same angle as Dav.

Hi. Thanks for the reply!
You are right. The historical photos we got came from the military and so your jacket length varies depending on the dude wearing it... some taller guys would have their B3s hanging at their waistline whereas some shorter guys would have their jacket past their belt line.
I will take time to get adjusted to this shortness (most of my leather jackets usually hang about 1"-2" below my belt line.
If it turns out to be a deal breaker then I guess I'll have to contact and negotiate with the manufacturer.

 

[Shin]

I too much prefer the body length of Nick's ( Dav ) jacket.

Thanks for the reply. So I guess ideally I should add about 1.5" to my jacket length ? Not sure if I should bite the bullet and wear it like this, or re-negotiate with the manufacturer and possible wait another 6 weeks for a new jacket to be made.

 

[Dav]

The back length on the above is 26.5 and the zip is 23.5, I'm 6'1" on a good day.

 

[Shin]

The back length on the above is 26.5 and the zip is 23.5, I'm 6'1" on a good day.

So yours is 1.25 longer than mine. I wonder how come yours looks at least 2.5 inches longer though. That's an Eastman Perry, right?

 

[Peacoat]

Well I was confused (not an unusual occurrence these days) by the photographs. When I opened the thread, the first pic I saw was of Dav's jacket. That is the fit pic I was commenting on.

I now see the fit pic of your jacket. I agree it is a bit short. I would like it more the length of Dav's.

 

[Dav]

Not sure why apart from I'm a bit shorter.
This is the Roughwear redskin, yes from Eastman

 

[Shin]

Well I was confused (not an unusual occurrence these days) by the photographs. When I opened the thread, the first pic I saw was of Dav's jacket. That is the fit pic I was commenting on.

I now see the fit pic of your jacket. I agree it is a bit short. I would like it more the length of Dav's.

Looks like I might need to have it remade

 

[regius]

It’s amazing fits perfectly!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KentH]

Looks like I might need to have it remade

Out of curiosity how does that work having it remade.. Are you allowed to send a custom made jacket back, assuming it is custom made, or do you just keep it and own two jackets...???

Just wondering.. Kent

 

[Shin]

Out of curiosity how does that work having it remade.. Are you allowed to send a custom made jacket back, assuming it is custom made, or do you just keep it and own two jackets...???

Just wondering.. Kent

Actually I have no idea. Well, it's made from the 38" pattern with an addtional 3cm to sleeve and back length. Does that count as custom made? I will ask them tomorrow to negotiate. Ideally perhaps they can take back the jacket and charge me some restocking fees. I hear Aero does this.

 

[Goel]

They're meant to be short but it's up to you, did you specify a certain length or just ask for an extra 3cm? It's usually a good idea to compare measurements to your current well fitting jackets. What thickness sheepskin did you pick?

 

[Dumpster Diver]

Short is OK.

but it is NOT ok if the Jacket is too tight on you etc...I do like mine to be a little longer, the front should be a tad shorter at the bottom to give the back more room to breathe, as you might be sitting down in a cockpit for example...Short at the front, longer at the back.. it's what gives the Jacket a nice Boxy look. It's more akin to the American classic Streamline designs in the 30's, art Deco etc.

Back in the 1940's Pant waists were a LOT higher, above the hips.

When my grandfather was issued trousers in the second world war, he wasn't sure they were the right fit.

"DO THEY HURT YOU UNDER THE ARPITS?" Asked the QM...."THEN THEY FIT!"

If your B-3 has trouble in terms of being snug, and you find it hard to wear a lot of clothing under it then it might be a little small for you but I think they were initially designed to be worn with a pair of sheepskin trousers which like the N2-B snorkel hood bomber jacket, the waist was high up to be worn with trousers or overalls, THEN it would feel like the correct fit.

It's a good military rule of thumb however to order a Jacket that is a size and a half up from your initial size, that's good military protocol as well with any pair of combat boots. Boots were issued a size larger because when you get shot, you stayed standing up. (At least that was what my grandfather told me, it's an old army Joke)