Expedition owners, please help!!!!!!!!

[Obiwampa]

Now its my turn to obsess over jacket size. When I was deciding what size to go with I measured my chest under my arms and I'm exactly 44" while exhaled. I'm 6'1" with long arms, (27"), so I went with 44T.

Now, I have heard on the forum that the EXP. runs large I DO NOT want my jacket to look 'loose' like most modern A-2's look. (Shoulder seams sloping halfway down your arm, enough room underneath for five sweaters )

Should I have gone with the 42T for a closer fit?

It would be closer around the chest, yes, but also shorter through the sleeve. Nothing irks me more than sleeves that ride up. Which is usually what I get stuck with in S,M,L,XL sizing. Say I go to Target and put on a standard mens jacket. What I usually find is that I need a M chest with L sleeves sewn on.

Can anyone tell me about the fit of their EXP, as it relates to their actual chest size?

I will be biting my nails untill the B@$*^%D shows up.

[Michaelson]

Since my Expedition is a 'made to measure', it's a hard question to reply to...but fortunately I HAVE had the opportunity to try on off the rack sizes from FS, and in my experience, they seem to run true to size on me...with the exception that the sleeves were to short. I'm 6' 1 1/2" tall myself, and though a 42R fit body wise, the sleeves were WAY to short, as I require 25 inch sleeves. I also one owned one of their 'Raider' jackets (not to be confused with OUR Raider jacket folks. It's just the name they call this flight jacket), and it was a 44T, and was HUGE, on me...but in your case it may be on target, as what was so huge was the sleeve length. I bet you they were every bit of 27 inches in length.

Personally, I think where you can't work with them anymore on the 'made to measure' end of things, you HAVE to adjust by doing what you did...going up a size to get the sleeve length you need to get it to work. You'll have a bit more room in the chest, but you won't get lost in there, I assure you.

I think you'll be just fine myself....if they are still making them like they did a few years ago...

Just keep in mind that the 'T' in the description also relates to the length of the jacket, so it will also be longer than a standard Expedition....more in line of a Temple of Doom jacket than a regular Raiders version.

Regards! Michaelson

[Obiwampa]

Thanks, M.

Hearing that they run true to size is a big load off. I would actually not mind it being longer, if that means the sleeves will be ok. Being larger means I can have it altered at a local tailor. You can take leather in, but you cant let it out.


But if I have it altered, the stitching won't be Mil. Spec. anymore.......

[Michaelson]

If you take it to a tailor who specializes in leather alterations, it can indeed remain mil spec, as all that represents is the type and quality of material used. If he/she uses the same type thread to fix the jacket, it's still within mil spec., as all that represents is meeting military specifications for the jacket creation.

Regards! Michaelson

[Indyjim]

Obiwampa, I purchased an Expo from FS several months ago. I am an
off the rack 44R, in most cases. I got finished measurements from FS and they are as follows:
42R 44R
chest 53" 55"
hip 44.5" 46.75"
shoulders 20.5" 21"
sleeve 34.5" 35"
neck to waist 25.25" 25.5"

Now, I'm not sure where they get the chest measurement from. Mine does not measure 55" anywhere. It measures more like 52", similar to the 42R.
If you look at how the body and the sleeves are constructed, that measurement is the greatest width and gives you lots of freedom under the arms, but really does not show up as looking baggy. I might have ordered the 42R, looking for a tighter fit, but the sleeves would have been way too short, as Michaelson stated. That is my only complaint, that the sleeves on my 44R are about 1/2" too short. So ordering a non custom made jacket was a compromise. To get desired sleeve length I would have had to go to the 46R which would have been too large or have the jacket custom made.

By no means is the jacket baggy. You can go here, www.indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?t=14566 (scroll down several posts)
and see the pictures I posted of my Expo. I am, overall, very pleased with the jacket. I would have preferred slightly longer sleeves but I wasn't willing to pay the extra price for 1/2" of additional sleeve length. For those of you who are going to ask why I just didn't order a Wested?,
I might some day. For now, I wanted the Flightsuits. It is a great jacket.
Hope this helps. Indyjim
By the way. Regarding the shoulder seams. They actually sit higher on the shoulder than any of the other jackets I own, which is where they belong.
I think this has a lot to do with the action pleats working the way they should.

[Obiwampa]

55!!!!!!! One point twenty one jigawatts??!!!!!!!!!!

I have a tape measurer right here, and jeeze...55"?? Where the heck DO they get that measurement? That must be taking into account all of the extra material that is used for the action back.........?

BTW, I have had those pics of you in your Exp. on my computer for a couple months now. Great pics, I was even using one of them for a screen saver for a while! I've been collecting as many pics of the Exp. as I can find. Now that I know you are a 44 like me, I can judge the fit a bit better. There is a little, ahem, less of me up front, but other than that we appear to have a pretty close build. It is a huge relief to hear that the shoulder seams sit nice and high, I hate looking slump-shouldered.

I just got word that FS called my girlfriend today to notify her my jacket is being shipped, so my wait will soon be over!!! Thanks for your help!

[Indyjim]

I am confused about the 55". It was the one measurement that threw me, although, I have a leather jacket in an extra large that measures 55" and
it fits me ok. A little larger than i would like but not so sloppy I don't wear it. It appears to be a cross between an XL and a L. I had to exchange the large I received as an xmas gift because it was uncomfortably tight and short in the sleeves. Everything is cut a little different and sometimes measured in a different place, but that doesn't mean it won't fit or look good. Both my Wings jackets measured 51", they fit good as well.
I'm wearing the Expo right now as a matter of fact. I like this warm weather we've been having.
Can't wait for the pics of you in yours. I'm sure you'll be pleased.

[Lao Feng]

The great dilemma on FS.

I have an FS goat and am very happy with it as well as the customer service.

My chest measures 41". The FS 40R was a workable fit...but as Michaelson said, the sleeves were too short. I upsized to a 42R. The chest is much better, great arm movement and the action pleats are great... and the sleeves are perfect.

MY Big Compromise was that in needing a 42 R for chest, shoulders & sleeves, I have to pull in the waist quite a bit (I have a 34 waist).

I'll live with that, I reckon.

The FS is a great jacket...built to really take it. But if I had to do a custom job on it I would have had the waist taken in a bit.

I would call FS and speak to customer service rep. Ask for Dave Marshall id possible. They are happy to answer questions.

[Indyjim]

It seems that if FS were to alter their patterns and add 1 inch to all their sleeve lengths, they may have the perfect jacket.
Short sleeves seems to be the one area that is a constant issue.

[Obiwampa]

Dont even mention that!!!! With my luck, I'll get my jacket, THEN FS will alter the patterns!

[Sergei]

It seems that if FS were to alter their patterns and add 1 inch to all their sleeve lengths, they may have the perfect jacket.
Short sleeves seems to be the one area that is a constant issue.

I wear a 44R off the rack (in suits and jackets). My FS was perfect in the sleeves.

[Indydawg]

Just to give another take on the situation-

I have what Mrs. Indydawg affectionately terms the "superior man syndrome". In essence, I think I'm bigger than I really am. I have, for YEARS, labored under the self-impression that I am a 44R. It has caused me SO much grief with having Westeds made and having to sell them or send them back. I am NOT a 44R-honestly, I had to get professional help to finally realize this. No, not a counselor, I went to a "traditional men's clothing store" and was sized for a suit. I didn't buy the suit, I just wanted my correct sizing. What did they find? 40R.

Now, that being said, my FS Expedition is a 42R. Yep-it's too big. But I have learned to live with it being a bit big-if it was more "fitted", and actually fit correctly, I couldn't get away with wearing some of the stuff I wear under it.

So-when ordering the FS jacket, at least they USED to make their jackets so that you could have the proper fit AND have a bit of room to have something under it. In other words, you shouldn't be afraid to order your actual size. They should take care of the rest with their standard, off the rack sizing.

Don't know if that helps or hurts, but I thought I'd offer it for consideration.

Later y'all!
Indydawg

[J_Weaver]

Hey Dawg, how about that Sugar Bowl lastnight!?

[Indyjim]

I'm sure any jacket manufacturer has a very difficult time creating a standard, off-the rack size that fits a lot of people reasonably well. We're all built a little differently and a little here and a little there makes a big difference in how anything fits. My FS is just fine. Hopefully I didn't give the impression it wasn't. Its just that if I could have one thing altered, it would be to make the sleeves about 1/2" longer. Believe me, I have a closet full of shirts, and I don't think any two of them fit alike. I buy a large, then it shrinks and I have arms sticking out the sleeves. So I buy an XL and it doesn't shrink and I could use it for a tent. Go figure!
Actually, the waist on my FS is plenty roomy as well, but the other night I had reason to wear a sidearm and it concealed nicely under my Expo. No way would it have fit under one of my Wings jackets.

[Obiwampa]

I have never had a professional fitting. Maybe I should?... I hate mens clothing stores, the employees work on commission, so they badger you to death untill you actually buy something.
I went to a few different stores that sold mens sport coats, and overall, the 44L's all fit me the best. I suppose that would be considered a Large in S M L sizing, so what is so infuriating is that I just bought a cheap black leather jacket from Target simply because it was 40% off and I WANT MY EXPEDITION!!!!!!!...sorry...anyway the jacket was a medium and it fits me perfectly. Go figure.

I've been taking all of my anger and stress out on this jacket while I wait for my Exp. It already looks a year old. I've thrown it against a cinderblock wall for 1/2 an hour, sat on it through all of ROTLA, slept in it, attacked it with a rusty wire brush, sandpapered it, stomped on it with dirty boots, called it names, insulted its family, everything.

I've already had several nightmares about my Exp. not fitting, that or they send me the hideous 'Raider' instead of the Expedition.

[Indydawg]

You just HAD to go and bring that up didn't ya?! ....

I won't go all into the gruesome details on the leather jacket forum of what my holy alma mater did wrong on the field of battle Monday night....I'll just say that my guys just didn't show up to play until it was too late to get in the game.

It turned out to be a good contest to watch for someone who maybe didn't have so much "passion" about it. For me it was just agonizing.

Anyway-9 more months till opening kickoff....

Later!
Indydawg

PS-the "fitting" helped me just to realize my true body proportions. At 40R in a suit, to be able to layer anything at all except a fitted dress shirt under it, a 40R in the FS or any "jacket" (as opposed to a sport or suit coat) just would be too small for me. Not saying YOU need to be fitted, and I'm sure the fit of your jacket is going to be perfect. Just offering what worked for me. For what that's worth.

[J_Weaver]

You just HAD to go and bring that up didn't ya?! ....

Sorry Dawg, but I'm in school at WVU. I just had to comment.

[Indydawg]

I see-well, no slights to VT at all-they did their job and played a great game. UGA just didn't show up.

Good luck in school there-I hear it is a great school!
Regards!
Indydawg

[Zach R.]

BTW, do any of you have expeditions that say something along the lines of that this leather has been made to look antique and distresses really easily over time and taking it to the dry cleaners will wash the dye off?

Also, mine seems to have really bad wrinkles, it almost looks like alligator skin, is that what is supposed to look like or is that just the product of it being shipped and folded? If it is just from folding I suppose a dose of Pecards will do the trick, eh?

[Alabama Jones]

Indyjim, I just gotta say WOW! , now thats a Raiders jacket. Looks great. Those look like some properly functioning pleats.

I called about a 40 reg in the clearence section but it had the shorter sleeves (which iwas going to be iffy) but turns out its already gone. The only problem I see with me getting one (other than the price) is I'm afraid to get the tight, snug fit I want will mean the sleeves won't be right.

I wish Wested would raise the yoke and do the pleats to old specs in a special order.

By the way, the lady I spoke with, Jackie I think, was very nice and helpful. She called me just minutes after I had left a message.

[J_Weaver]

Good luck in school there-I hear it is a great school!
Regards!
Indydawg

Thanks! Today was the first day of class; so far so good.