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flightsuits sizing 2007

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 3:30 pm
by Indiana G
i've searched this topic in the archives but could not answer all my enquirries in regards to how g&b's are cut so i just wanted to see if anyone wants to share their sizing experiences.

i e-mailed them with the following measurements:

42 suit size, current jacket measures 24" from armpit to armpit
24" sleeves from shoulder seam to end of cuff
25.5" from colar seam to end of panel

they responded saying that i need a 48 R sized jacket. this doesn't make sense to me.....or should it?

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 5:06 pm
by Mr. Das
I usually wear a 44R suit, but sometimes wear my 42R. For my G&B, I got a 44R and it fits great. So a 48R would be way too big for you.

You probably confused them by saying your current jacket is 24". If a Wested measures 24" from armpit to armpit, it means it's a 48R jacket.

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 5:17 pm
by Indiana G
but a jacket that measures 24" across the front from where the side seam meats the sleeve seem to the opposite side is a size 42 + the 6" of extra movement that is factored in so that its not skin tight.

a 48 R according to this system would mean that the chest is 48 + 6 = 54 divided by 2 = 27" from armpit to armpit.

in that case i might as well wear my wpg shirt with it and star in a movie called 'honey, i shrunk indiana jones' :lol:

i heard that they will not divulge the actual measurements of their jackets so i am quite learry in ordering one considering the tailored fit that you can get elsewhere.

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 5:23 pm
by Technonut
I would call them if I were you... Ask for either Amy or Drew..

I am waiting on my Expedition jacket order until I see how Indy Magnoli's offering turns-out for another forum member.

However, I did recently order a G&B AN-J-3 in my usual 44R, and it fit great... :) On the other hand, I purchased a G&B M-422A from ebay in a size 46R that I thought should be just a usual size-up from a 44R, that was HUGE... :shock: I'm talking swimming in it... I traded it to someone for another G&B M-422A in a size 40R, (the guy said it measured-out to a true 44R) that fits me like a glove... :D go figure.... :?

Anyway, the great thing about G&B is their customer service... No worries there.. top-notch in my experience.

Just call and ask them to take your measurements to their jacket design person for his opinion... (More than likely your suit size, or one size down for a snugger fit)

EDIT: From what I gather, there should be 4 inches of movement in a good-fitting jacket... Usually in my case, 24 inches armpit to armpit... (48 inches minus 4 inches = 44 inches)

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 5:28 pm
by Indiana G
thanks for the input gents.

is there someone here who can chime in with measurements on a 42R expedition on the 3 dimensions:

1. armpit to armpit
2. shoulder seam to cuff
3. colar seam to bottom of jacket

that would help me out greatly if you can.

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 5:34 pm
by Kt Templar
I heard of vanity sizing where the number on the garment is small but the actual size is actually larger to make the wearer feel good about themselves.

So what would this be, "Abusive Sizing?" :)

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 5:40 pm
by Indiana G
that would be applicable to ALL the clothes here in north america :lol:

i've ordered pants overseas in what i thought was my pant size....had to go on a diet after i received them.

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 9:41 pm
by feathers73
I wear a 48 long suit jacket and I ordered a 48 long historical horsehide. It fits perfect.

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:39 am
by soulman
To toss in my .02, I had purchased a G&B Expo some time ago. I measured myself and to the tape I was a 48" so thats what I ordered. When it arrived I found it was too big on me and I when I took the pit to pit measurement it was very close to 50". So I returned it and started driving everyone at G&B nuts with a constant barrage of calls. I was told that they produce their jackets using a "military" cut. When I asked what this meant it was explained to me that they added 2" to the overall chest measurement to assure a correct fit. So I sized down to a 46" and it fit great. Hope this helps.

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:21 pm
by Indiana G
thanks for all the help gents. i was hoping to buy off the rack but they haven't replenished their stock since the christmas rush so sizes are slim pickings at the moment. it would take 4 weeks to get one made up and i was hoping to get one for a trip in april. i'll be looking elsewhere.

cheers

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:16 pm
by davyjones007
Indy G, I just received my medium brown goat A-2 from USA in a size 46R and it is a perfect fit. Narrow body and sleeves with wool cuffs and waist band help keep the jacket from looking "puffy". I normaly wear a 46T however, it works. I called them to get their opinion and after giving them my h/w they suggested a 46R for my szie ( 6'2" @ 220lbs). It also only took 5 days to get to me in Japan.

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 12:04 am
by Indiana G
come on davyjones007....not playing fair here....lets see some pics of your jacket!

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 9:00 am
by davyjones007

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 9:04 am
by davyjones007

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:03 pm
by Rundquist
With the Expedition my advice is to just go with your suit size. With Gibson and Barnes’ other jackets you might have to guess a little more to get what you want. If you are a 46 reg in a suit (for example), I would say get a 46 in the Expedition, a 46 in the A-2 for a bigger fit or a 44 for a tighter military cut, and a 44 in the G-1. The G-1 is such a good design that you can go with a smaller size. Cheers

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:55 pm
by Indiana G
dj007, thats a nice jacket! the fit looks good and you got to love the scalloping on those pocket flaps.

rundquist, thanks for the help but i'm already scheming a jacket project....not with an expedition......

cheers

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 3:05 am
by davyjones007
Why thank you. It has been around 50F during the day and the jacket with just a t-shirt has been nice and warm.

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 5:02 pm
by J_Weaver
soulman wrote:To toss in my .02, I had purchased a G&B Expo some time ago. I measured myself and to the tape I was a 48" so thats what I ordered. When it arrived I found it was too big on me and I when I took the pit to pit measurement it was very close to 50". So I returned it and started driving everyone at G&B nuts with a constant barrage of calls. I was told that they produce their jackets using a "military" cut. When I asked what this meant it was explained to me that they added 2" to the overall chest measurement to assure a correct fit. So I sized down to a 46" and it fit great. Hope this helps.
I've found the same thing with the fit of modern jackets. I ordered my Wested based off of the fit of a vintage A-2. Big mistake on my part, because I ordered a size up to get a little bit mroe room for a sweater. My A-2 is a very slim fit cut with only 2" of movement room. (i.e its marked 44 and measures 46) I assumed Westeds were cut similar and ordered a 46 (measues 50) which is in all honesty too big for my taste. After 2.5 years I've realized I could wear a 42 in a Wested to get the chest as slim as I'd like.

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 6:09 pm
by Kt Templar
J_Weaver wrote:
soulman wrote:To toss in my .02, I had purchased a G&B Expo some time ago. I measured myself and to the tape I was a 48" so thats what I ordered. When it arrived I found it was too big on me and I when I took the pit to pit measurement it was very close to 50". So I returned it and started driving everyone at G&B nuts with a constant barrage of calls. I was told that they produce their jackets using a "military" cut. When I asked what this meant it was explained to me that they added 2" to the overall chest measurement to assure a correct fit. So I sized down to a 46" and it fit great. Hope this helps.
I've found the same thing with the fit of modern jackets. I ordered my Wested based off of the fit of a vintage A-2. Big mistake on my part, because I ordered a size up to get a little bit mroe room for a sweater. My A-2 is a very slim fit cut with only 2" of movement room. (i.e its marked 44 and measures 46) I assumed Westeds were cut similar and ordered a 46 (measues 50) which is in all honesty too big for my taste. After 2.5 years I've realized I could wear a 42 in a Wested to get the chest as slim as I'd like.
I think people err on the side of caution. We very rarely hear of a jacket that is too small.

Generally they are cut 'normal' not vanity sized overlarge but not military cut either.

Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 10:31 pm
by J_Weaver
KT, I agree with you most things are sized to fit a wider variety of body shapes, so its rare to hear of something being too small. It makes things difficult for a guy of my build though. I'm 6'3" and pushing 200 pounds with a 34" waist. Most things that fit me in the shoulders are usually baggy in the body :(

If I ever get to England, I'm gonna make it a priority to have Peter fit me for a jacket. :tup: