US Authentic A-2 fit

[Banzai]

There was recently a thread on this, but I wanted to re-attack the topic.

In searching this board, US Authentic has a rep for being a trim, "WW2" fit. However, a handful of posts have come up saying that their US-A jackets are a fuller fit, and they would have sized down.

My own experience:

I started with a size 36. The measurements seemed right all around, and it looked good. Yet, there was something about the cut/pattern that made it tightly constricting around my upper arms when moving them forward. Difficult to drive or tie my shoes. I could never figure it out, because the chest and shoulder measurements seemed like they should work. I've owned smaller jackets that were fine.

Went with a 38. Jacket measures 22" across for a 44" circumference. So, I would say kind of big for a 38. At least not a "wartime" cut. But the upper arms feel about like a 36 should. I had the body trimmed down so it's not so blousy.

I don't know enough about the finer points of a pattern to know why this would be. Perhaps the pattern itself is odd?

Given this, does this mean they fit slim, or full? Technically, i suppose both slim (to the point of constricting), while also full?

 

[Doomstein]

Well, I'm not too sure about that particular brand, but the original A-2 jacket pattern had low armholes that cause it to ride up when you lift your arms.

 

[a2jacketpatches]

The only repro I ever purchased new as it was affordable enough, I had to return the first one to exchange for a Long. I chose a size up to begin with just to have a little blousey and room for a sweat shirt but the regular was riding up while driving as stated. The Long made all the difference for be being 6'1"

 

[Yesteryear]

I would be curious to know if this is common among original war era A-2s, or is it just something with the US-A reproes?

I own a size 36 US-A A-2 and have noticed this when extending both arms forward at chest level. If this is just the way a trim A-2 fits then I'll take the good with the bad, unless it's some type of poor design in their repro that wasn't present in originals?

My guess is the jacket doesn't have enough slack in the back to allow the arms to stretch forward, but when looking at war era pictures the backs look equally tight.

 

[a2jacketpatches]

It may be a flaw in the U.S. Authentics design as well, but I'm pretty sure this was a problem with A2's in general and the reason for bi-swing backs on the AN jackets, M422's, and G1's

 

[nick123]

22" pit-pit for a 38 sounds exactly like 40, maybe a trim 40. That's reassuring, as Shaul told me to go a size down with a 38. I still really want a USA A-2.

 

[Yesteryear]

For reference, this is how my size 36 A-2 fits:

 

[Yesteryear]

^There are a lot of WWII era picture of A-2 backs online showing the painted art. The slack in the back looks very similar to how my A-2 fits, so I'm guessing they had the same problems with it?

 

[Seb Lucas]

A size 40 has a chest of 23 inches P t P. The 42 is 24 inches PtP.
They are on the larger size but not massive.

 

[kasa7]

A size 40 has a chest of 23 inches P t P. The 42 is 24 inches PtP.
They are on the larger size but not massive.

I have one A2 horsehide seal brown from US Authentic size 42R, I'm 5´9'' and 42'' chest, and the 42 is a litlle big under arms, probably the 40R would be perfect for me. Pit to pit is 24'' and shoulder to shoulder 20''.

 

[kasa7]

Photos here:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/thre...r-us-authentic-a-2s.71898/page-2#post-1864608

 

[Banzai]

This is how my size 36 A-2 fits:
View attachment 40110
View attachment 40111
View attachment 40112

What are your measurements, if you don't mind my asking.

 

[kasa7]

What are your measurements, if you don't mind my asking.

5' 9'' and 42'' chest

 

[kasa7]

I hate the way it fits in this photo

 

[Yesteryear]

What are your measurements, if you don't mind my asking.

5'7" tall, 38" chest.

 

[Yesteryear]

I hate the way it fits in this photo View attachment 40164

Why?

 

[Seb Lucas]

It does look like a shapeless mess, but that's the odd, sloping and oversized shoulders.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Looks like 1986 again and you're my friend Phil.

 

[ButteMT61]

Hey @Seb Lucas - how about chilling out on the jabs? You're not entertaining and quite rude in fact.

 

[AdeeC]

I think the fit looks quite authentic and not much different to numerous WW2 photos I've seen. Photoshopped in B&W, a crusher cap and smoking pipe for adornment will complete the 1943 look.