Notions about fit

[barnabus]

By way of whatever, here's a photo I took just now when I got in from a no-reason-but-the-sun's-shining ride.

This is my all season armoured riding jacket, from Merlin in oxblood cow. I bought it in a 40 to give me layering room on my 39" chest measurement. I always used to think I should have got a 38 because this felt a bit too roomy.

But here it is over just a t shirt, and as I posted earlier, lately I'm more concerned with just being comfortable.

And in spite of everything, I don't even think it looks like a generous fit. I think it looks like it fits just right. And it's not the jacket that's changed, it's my relaxing view on how a range of fits can still all fit.

 

[MrProper]

By way of whatever, here's a photo I took just now when I got in from a no-reason-but-the-sun's-shining ride.

This is my all season armoured riding jacket, from Merlin in oxblood cow. I bought it in a 40 to give me layering room on my 39" chest measurement. I always used to think I should have got a 38 because this felt a bit too roomy.

But here it is over just a t shirt, and as I posted earlier, lately I'm more concerned with just being comfortable.

And in spite of everything, I don't even think it looks like a generous fit. I think it looks like it fits just right. And it's not the jacket that's changed, it's my relaxing view on how a range of fits can still all fit.

View attachment 424200

Looks good. As if it should be like that

 

[Sloan1874]

All are pretty good, but as far as sleeve length goes I think the second two have better sleeve length. I'm not one for having my sleeves piling up but they need to land below the wrist bone.

 

[Maxwell Von Chesapeake]

The day before yesterday I received my latest highly anticipated vintage buy. As always I was somewhat worried about the 'fit'. With this one my biggest worry was about the body length being a bit short. Luckily the body length turned out to be pretty much what I would call 'perfect'. However, the overall 'fit' was a bit more generous than how I would normally wear my jackets. It wasn't bad or unwearable, it just felt a bit roomy. To be honest, I was slightly disappointed at first because the fit wasn't 'perfect'.

Later when I was editing the fit pics (my usual setup with the grey brick wall background) I realized it didn't look too big at all. The longer I looked at the pics, the more I actually loved the generous fit. Apparently @Imuricecreamman noticed the generous fit as well...



Which made me wonder...

What makes a good fit, what makes a bad fit, how is a halfbelt supposed to fit, how is a motorcycle jacket supposed to fit, is there such a thing as a perfect fit?

To illustrate, here's four halfbelts ranging from 21.5" ptp to 24" ptp. If any, which one of these would you call a 'perfect' fit? How do you like to wear yours? Are some measurements more important than others (eg sleeve length vs body length)? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

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For me, it's a tie between the top two for best fit, but the bottom two are simply too roomy for my tastes. None of them look bad, of course, but if we're splitting hairs...

 

[Maxwell Von Chesapeake]

With vintage I accept different fits.
Short:
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“Regular”:
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And long:
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I’m far, far less forgiving of repro’s. They have to hit the spec for specified fit. Vintage I’ll bend or barring that alter to suitable state. Which I did satisfactorily to me, with the Monarch and Phillips above.
I can’t help but wonder why the jackets I don’t spec, always make me happier.

What kind of jacket is that brown one with the vertical piping? It's really great.

 

[Maxwell Von Chesapeake]

The king of high waisted jeans

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This kid was a true legend.

 

[Maxwell Von Chesapeake]

40’s Westbury, 26” back length. Not a longer style.
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50’s Kurland. Same spec at 26”
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Okay, this settles it. I want a jacket with vertical piping.

 

[Marc mndt]

For me, it's a tie between the top two for best fit, but the bottom two are simply too roomy for my tastes. None of them look bad, of course, but if we're splitting hairs...

Since I've created this thread my style has somewhat changed: I mostly wear straight fit jeans now. I think jackets with a more generous fit (third and fourth) look better when worn with wider -non slimfit - trousers.

 

[jeo]

Since I've created this thread my style has somewhat changed: I mostly wear straight fit jeans now. I think jackets with a more generous fit (third and fourth) look better when worn with wider -non slimfit - trousers.

View attachment 500799

I agree. Your vintage jackets look way better with wider cut jeans. Before the silhouette was very top heavy, now it’s more balanced.

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Wider jeans help balance a lot of things out. You could still wear slimmer jackets with them too if you want more of a 30s look.

 

[mvilla]

Since I've created this thread my style has somewhat changed: I mostly wear straight fit jeans now. I think jackets with a more generous fit (third and fourth) look better when worn with wider -non slimfit - trousers.

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What jeans are those?

 

[Marc mndt]

What jeans are those?

RRL straight leg

https://www.ralphlauren.com/men-clothing-jeans/straight-fit-once-washed-selvedge-jean/323169.html

 

[mvilla]

RRL straight leg

https://www.ralphlauren.com/men-clothing-jeans/straight-fit-once-washed-selvedge-jean/323169.html

Suits you well

 

[navetsea]

agree blue jeans looks better in wider leg somehow, nothing too extreme but something straight legged from the lower mid thigh down to the hem, however black jeans looks better in skinnier cut to me. I'm still undecided on cuffing though, if ever all my cuffing is temporary cuff and I uncuff it on the hanger by the end of that day. I really like how longer jeans breaks on boots and starts shaping creasing differently around the knee and lower leg

 

[MrProper]

As so often, completely a matter of taste.
I like slim jeans better than regular, skinny, however, I like neither on me nor on others.
What visually fits better, is certainly also related to the proportions of the body and the size.
And partly you should also include what shoes you want to wear with them.
And sorry guys, but with some of you I still find the slim better than the regular or wide pants

 

[torfjord]

Since I've created this thread my style has somewhat changed: I mostly wear straight fit jeans now. I think jackets with a more generous fit (third and fourth) look better when worn with wider -non slimfit - trousers.

View attachment 500799

I agree about the straight cut jeans working better in this context. Gives more balance to the silhouette.
But damn that collar. I just noticed it again when I looked more closely. It’s majestic!

 

[bigmanbigtruck]

I know this is not exactly a fit advice thread, but since the general topic is around fit... I thought I could maybe post in here with a question withh more experienced eyes for advice.

Tried out a cross-zip for the first time - a used Schott Perfecto (42 size 626VN) and was very underwhelmed with the fit. Just did not feel right and billowy around the waist area, tight around the shoulders. Chest was also a bit droopy. Coincidentally, this place was across a Schott store and I tried the same in a bunch of sizes, M, L & XL. I didn't even bother to take pics as the results are either the same as below or just plain worse.

Was hoping someone more experienced could tell me why the fit is so off and what measurements I should maybe pay attention to if I wanted to get a cross zip that fit better.



For reference, here's a couple of jackets I have where I'm very happy with the fit (both 42 size RMC J100, LW Ryder)

 

[Aloysius]

I know this is not exactly a fit advice thread, but since the general topic is around fit... I thought I could maybe post in here with a question withh more experienced eyes for advice.

Tried out a cross-zip for the first time - a used Schott Perfecto (42 size 626VN) and was very underwhelmed with the fit. Just did not feel right and billowy around the waist area, tight around the shoulders. Chest was also a bit droopy. Coincidentally, this place was across a Schott store and I tried the same in a bunch of sizes, M, L & XL. I didn't even bother to take pics as the results are either the same as below or just plain worse.

Was hoping someone more experienced could tell me why the fit is so off and what measurements I should maybe pay attention to if I wanted to get a cross zip that fit better.

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For reference, here's a couple of jackets I have where I'm very happy with the fit (both 42 size RMC J100, LW Ryder)
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The 626 has a tubular fit with a skinny top block; it exists in response to some fashion trends in that direction. Not a jacket I like or that I would buy.

Check out the actual 613 and 618 (or 118 if you prefer soft leather) for a really great pattern and look.

 

[Zetachaox]

Personally I value comfort, so having a bit more room to play with is welcome. Never been a fan of skinny stuff, but I do worry that I might lean too much in the opposite direction, which can look unkempt.

 

[bigmanbigtruck]

The 626 has a tubular fit with a skinny top block; it exists in response to some fashion trends in that direction. Not a jacket I like or that I would buy.

Check out the actual 613 and 618 (or 118 if you prefer soft leather) for a really great pattern and look.

Thanks. so it's meant for a different body type. I actually asked a sales associate about it too. All she could do was recommend me a L size. After I showed her how off it looked and even asked if there's a similar one I could try, she just said I'm tricky to size.
At which point I had to hit her with a:

Will try out the other patterns you recommended next time I'm there

Personally I value comfort, so having a bit more room to play with is welcome. Never been a fan of skinny stuff, but I do worry that I might lean too much in the opposite direction, which can look unkempt.

Same. Even though the RMC & LW look trim, I definitely have some room to layer if I needed to.