Need advice: I have been unable to find a WW2 trench coat/greatcoat that can fit a 6'4+ male. I've been told they do not exist. Is this true?

[ConfusedMom]

Hello all, I hope I am posting this in the right place. I have been on a hunt to find my son a WW2 wool trench coat/greatcoat, but I have not had any luck finding any that would actually fit him. My teenage son is 6'4 and weighs 140 lbs. I have been able to find a few coats that fit in the chest area since he is so skinny, but the main area I'm having an issue is the sleeves. I measured my son's arms from armpit to wrist, and it is 23 inches long. The longest sleeve (from armpit to cuff) I've been able to find is 18 inches.

I have been looking for weeks and I have not found one coat that matches near my son's measurements. I've asked several military resellers if they had any, and they all told me I'd never find one with these measurements! Is that really true? Is there no hope? If so, what would be the best course of action? I really want to get my son a nice WW2 trench coat for Christmas but if it's impossible to actually find one that fits, maybe there is something alike that I could actually buy?

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[Peacoat]

You might do better to post this in the Outerwear section. See link below:

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/forums/outerwear-and-workwear.4/

 

[JAGG]

I have been looking for weeks and I have not found one coat that matches near my son's measurements. I've asked several military resellers if they had any, and they all told me I'd never find one with these measurements! Is that really true? Is there no hope? If so, what would be the best course of action? I really want to get my son a nice WW2 trench coat for Christmas but if it's impossible to actually find one that fits, maybe there is something alike that I could actually buy?

Any advice is appreciated!

As far as sizing advice, you are not measuring correctly. Men’s clothing is not sold on underarm length and weight. It is sold on chest size and height. Google it to find out how to correctly measure your son. My guess is that he needs either a 38xl or possibly a 36xl, but measure his chest to know.

I am your sons height, weigh 190, and wear a 42xl (and have the same arm length). The military needs to and always needed to make clothing for all new recruits, so they would certainly be able to find clothes to fit your son. My dad wore a 38xl or 40xl when he enlisted in the army in 1945 at age 17, and he had no trouble getting fitted for his uniform.

Now as far as whether you can find a vintage wool overcoat made from 1941 to 1945 in good condition without moth holes in his size in the next week to get it before Christmas, well I wouldn’t count on it. Is there a reason you want a ww2 vintage coat, or are you just looking for army surplus? If the latter, there is a 38xl on eBay from the 1970s here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/226030400065

Note that I know nothing about that seller or that coat. Once you measure his size correctly, you can contact those military resellers you spoke to and give them the correct size and they may be able to help you.

 

[EngProf]

WWII coat and uniform sizes are a mysterious and difficult topic. The Army changed patterns and dimensions as the war progressed and they got feedback from the troops.
An early-war field jacket won't be exactly the same size and shape as a later-war coat of theoretically the same type.
They also introduced new types while retaining many of the old ones.
Outer coats were made well oversize so they would fit over multiple layers and also field equipment.

It's not a a trench coat, but if you wanted an authentic WWII coat that might fit your son I would look for an early (if possible) M1941 field jacket.
They were famous (or infamous) for having sleeves that were too long for the body.
I have a 1941 jacket that fits well in the body, but I have to fold back about two inches of the sleeve to make it come close to fitting.
They are not as warm as an overcoat but sometimes that's all they had.
(The Army produced all sorts of sizes to fit all sorts of troops, but finding just what you need now in good condition is the problem.)