I had contact with G&B regarding an Expedition jacket. I read Hansolojones' post - he's about my size and got (on Michaelson's advice) a 44R. I'm just under 6ft 2 and around 180 pounds. I wear a suit 42 reg.
The G&B lady said I needed a 42 long... She said it was all in the chest size. I understand from COW that the matter is not so simple.
Am I right to get a 44R? Fit isn't a huge issue with me - if it's a little large, fine. What I don't want is sleeves that are too short.
Any guidance is welcome.
Cheers - CM
Am I nuts, or do I need an Expo 44R?
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Michaelson
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I'd say you're borderline. Han is 10 pounds heavier than you.
In my case, I'm 6 feet 1 1/2 inches and weight 205 (
). A 42R still fits me perfectly in the shoulders, arms, and everwhere else but around the midsection. (gee, I wonder why? ](./images/smilies/Indy_wall.gif "Brick wall")
)
By moving up to a 44R, the extra width in the shoulders allows for the added size in the area I need it most....especially if I want to zip my jacket up.
If you're in better shape than I am in the middle, then yes, a 42R should work fine....but if you're wanting a bit more to work with (such as needing room for a sweater in colder weather), then you might want to think about the 44R.
Regards! Michaelson
In my case, I'm 6 feet 1 1/2 inches and weight 205 (
). A 42R still fits me perfectly in the shoulders, arms, and everwhere else but around the midsection. (gee, I wonder why? )By moving up to a 44R, the extra width in the shoulders allows for the added size in the area I need it most....especially if I want to zip my jacket up.
If you're in better shape than I am in the middle, then yes, a 42R should work fine....but if you're wanting a bit more to work with (such as needing room for a sweater in colder weather), then you might want to think about the 44R.
Regards! Michaelson
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HANSOLOJONES
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Listen to Michaelson!!!!!!!BELIEVE ME, HE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT!!!!Oh, and enjoy your jacket when you get it. I love mine. 
High Regards,
HSJ.
High Regards,
HSJ.
Last edited by HANSOLOJONES on Tue Jul 24, 2007 9:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Indiana Blooze
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While I don't have a GB, I have a Wested lamb, this may hold true for other jackets and may be something to consider if you are going to do your own distressing. I am 5'8" 170 lbs, and wear a 42-44r depending on cut. I got an OTR 44r Wested, which was just a little large on me. After a hot water treatment, it shrunk just enough, that it fits me snuggly. If I had done the same with a 42, I'm not sure it would fit now. Just my 2/100 of a dollar.
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Michaelson
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That's true, my friend. There are those 'black magic' ways to make them fit, arent' there? 
Seriously, there is no real trick to the figuring of size. Folks who answer the phones at our jacket companies have their charts that when supplied with your weight and height, automatically gauge your 'needed' size.
What they DON'T account for is exactly WHERE that weight may be distributed on your body.
Speaking for myself, I work in a job that I'm stationary all day long. At my age, a lot has settled around my mid section. I'm not fat, but it's definitely the old 'middle age spread' due to the sedimentary nature of my job. So, though I'm in the correct weight range for my height, most of it is in my belly rather than my chest area now.
So, if I went with the correct 42R, I can wear it just fine, but it's a bit on the snug side when I have to zip the jacket up. By going UP one size to a 44R, that additional width in the shoulders compensates for the room needed in the stomach area, and all is well with the world.
It's all in where you're 'distributed' that should determine what jacket you order. If you can comfortably wear a size 42R suit, and you're in excellent physical condition, then the 42R is definitely the size to go for. Expeditions are dead on size wise, so there's no guess work on whether or not the off the rack sizing will work. If you have a bit a padding around the middle, though, the 44R is well worth the consideration.
If we were talking about custom jackets, all this would be a moot point, as you could STILL order a size 42R, but have the sides a bit tapered to allow for the mid section. A wise man recently told me one constant in measurements for a coat is the shoulder width. That does not change. (Thanks Indy Magnoli!
), so where everthing else is located is what determines what size will be comfortable...
Regards! Michaelson
Seriously, there is no real trick to the figuring of size. Folks who answer the phones at our jacket companies have their charts that when supplied with your weight and height, automatically gauge your 'needed' size.
What they DON'T account for is exactly WHERE that weight may be distributed on your body.
Speaking for myself, I work in a job that I'm stationary all day long. At my age, a lot has settled around my mid section. I'm not fat, but it's definitely the old 'middle age spread' due to the sedimentary nature of my job. So, though I'm in the correct weight range for my height, most of it is in my belly rather than my chest area now.
So, if I went with the correct 42R, I can wear it just fine, but it's a bit on the snug side when I have to zip the jacket up. By going UP one size to a 44R, that additional width in the shoulders compensates for the room needed in the stomach area, and all is well with the world.
It's all in where you're 'distributed' that should determine what jacket you order. If you can comfortably wear a size 42R suit, and you're in excellent physical condition, then the 42R is definitely the size to go for. Expeditions are dead on size wise, so there's no guess work on whether or not the off the rack sizing will work. If you have a bit a padding around the middle, though, the 44R is well worth the consideration.
If we were talking about custom jackets, all this would be a moot point, as you could STILL order a size 42R, but have the sides a bit tapered to allow for the mid section. A wise man recently told me one constant in measurements for a coat is the shoulder width. That does not change. (Thanks Indy Magnoli!
), so where everthing else is located is what determines what size will be comfortable...Regards! Michaelson
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Michaelson
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HANSOLOJONES
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Indiana Jess
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