Appropriate Jacket Length

Discuss all of the intricacies of the jacket in full detail

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kevdog
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Appropriate Jacket Length

Post by kevdog »

I have an older Wested TOD that was custom sized, but have recently felt it is too short. The back falls about an inch below the top of my pants, maybe slightly longer. It's about 26" in length. Is there a rule of thumb as to the length the jacket should be?
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Tennessee Smith
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Re: Appropriate Jacket Length

Post by Tennessee Smith »

A jacket should sit at your waist, like Indy's does. He wears his pants high (the traditional placement) so the jacket lies well below his belt.

The problem is that most people think of coat length when wearing a jacket. A coat generally sits below the hips. With people wearing their pants low rise or sagging these days a jacket length always seems to look to short. When in fact if they wore their pants properly the problem tends to resolve itself ;)


Or you could be like me and order a long next time and disregard all I just said :lol:
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ChrisMD
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Re: Appropriate Jacket Length

Post by ChrisMD »

Tennessee Smith wrote:A jacket should sit at your waist, like Indy's does. He wears his pants high (the traditional placement) so the jacket lies well below his belt.

The problem is that most people think of coat length when wearing a jacket. A coat generally sits below the hips. With people wearing their pants low rise or sagging these days a jacket length always seems to look to short. When in fact if they wore their pants properly the problem tends to resolve itself ;)


Or you could be like me and order a long next time and disregard all I just said :lol:
Exactly what I did. My Wested is long and I LOVE it! Still in the realm of "jacket" but twice as useful as a true SA jacket. I can fit a sweatshirt/sweater, extra layers, and a 1917 under it! ;)


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Chewbacca Jones
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Re: Appropriate Jacket Length

Post by Chewbacca Jones »

I'd say Tennessee is right about how high one's pants are, but it's also a matter of body type. I'm actually a little low-waisted, and I find even the tall sizes from Wested to be too short in front. And it's not just a matter of my personal tastes. The jackets are impractically short on me.

So, no, I would say there isn't a rule of thumb. So many of us try to get "the right measurements" on the gear, forgetting that our bodies are generally not going to support our efforts. If you feel you need more length for it to look right on you, then maybe you should seek it out. I have found back length to be a poor indicator, by the way. I find Indy jackets to lay longer in back, shorter in front. That might be you issue. Maybe your body shape or posture has shifted just enough to alter how the jacket looks on you.
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Re: Appropriate Jacket Length

Post by Glenville86 »

It depends if you want to gear up or wear the jacket on a regular basis. I am around 6 feet 4 inches and try to get a 28 inch back. That usually puts it a couple inches below my belt on modern pants and jeans. That is about as short as I will wear and it is still a short jacket in my eyes.
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Rikimaru
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Re: Appropriate Jacket Length

Post by Rikimaru »

@Chewbacca Jones, thank you for addressing that the body type determines the cut of the jacket. People get too caught up on what the back length should be. Short or long-torso, broad shouldered or sloped shoulders, and stomach size are just a few of the factors that people should take into consideration. Know your body type and dress for it accordingly.
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Re: Appropriate Jacket Length

Post by kevdog »

Would it be appropriate to post a couple of pics of me wearing the jacket just to get some feedback from the group? All of your comments are appropriate and make sense.

I've loved my jacket and it has served me well, but am thinking about adding to my collection.
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ChrisMD
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Re: Appropriate Jacket Length

Post by ChrisMD »

kevdog wrote:Would it be appropriate to post a couple of pics of me wearing the jacket just to get some feedback from the group? All of your comments are appropriate and make sense.

I've loved my jacket and it has served me well, but am thinking about adding to my collection.
First off, sure! Post a few pictures of it.

Secondly, you GOTTA keep adding to the collection. If you think we are gonna talk you out of additional jackets, log off and RUN as fast as you can!

;)


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CM
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Re: Appropriate Jacket Length

Post by CM »

I have a slightly different take. Indy's pants are not high or period correct they are mid-rise. Ford's jacket is short - 24 inches at back. He is around 6ft 1.

As to how it needs to be worn that is your choice. Look at images of Indy and decide if you think the jacket is long or short and where it needs to fall in relation to your belt line. People have different views. As a general principle I wear all short jackets 2 inches below my mid-rise jeans belt line. At my height of 6ft2 that's around 26.5 inches. But people's torsos vary in length so even at the same height you may need longer or shorter.
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