Club Obi Wan

I'm about 6'. I'm a SLIM build, about 135lbs. My Shoulders are 36, chest is about 34-36. Sleeves are 24. I'm thinking of getting the off the rack size 38 Wested Raiders jacket since I can't really afford a custom one. My question is if anyone knows if this is a good size for me? My worry is having a jacket that's too short on me, do they run small or big? Anything bigger might be just too baggy.

Take your measurements. This might help: http://www.indianajones.dk/Webside/Bill ... rering.htm

Keep trying to reach Wested. You'll be glad you did. Finally, eat a burger . . . or three.

I'm about the same height as you but quite broad in the chest and shoulders. I ordered a 50R in lambskin but although it fit well and was beautifully made it was far too short, reaching just below my waistband and no more. I ended up returning it and having to get a custom based on the 50 but three inches longer.

My Shoulders are 36,

How exactly did you come up with this number?

The average man who wears a size 44 will have a shoulder measurement
of about 19 to 20 inches.

You measure your shoulders by starting at the tip of one shoulder, then
straight across the top of your back to the tip of the other shoulder.

If you are getting 36 inches, then you have the widest shoulders in
the history of mankind.

I will bet that you measured your shoulders all the way around your
body to come up with that number.

But that is wrong. By doing it that way, you can't just say that, oh well,
I will divide that by two to come up with 18 inches, that sounds about
right.

Its not. You will get a very false reading this way. Do it the right way.

I will bet that since you are a slim build, with a 34-36 chest, that your
shoulders measure somewhere around 16 or 17 inches.

Take a jacket that you currently own, that fits you well, and lay it flat
on your bed, face down, with the zipper zipped all the way up.

Then measure the jacket from one shoulder seam, straight across the
back to the other shoulder seam.

What did you get? Somewhere around 17 inches?

Flathead

It could be that he measured it around his shoulders as oppose to the conventional method of across from shoulder to shoulder?

It could be that he measured it around his shoulders as oppose to the conventional method of across from shoulder to shoulder?

Thats pretty much what I said here:

I will bet that you measured your shoulders all the way around your
body to come up with that number.

Flathead

I didn't take the measurements, a local tailor did...but I think I'm going to go with a 40R off the rack Raiders. I could use the back and sleeve length. Also I read on the forum that with leather it's OK to go a little bigger because it will tighten up a bit, plus I heard that Wested jackets are a bit more snug than compared to US standards AND (lol more ands) I figure if I put on some weight or even muscle the extra room will help make the jacket last longer.

Gunk wrote:I didn't take the measurements, a local tailor did...but I think I'm going to go with a 40R off the rack Raiders. I could use the back and sleeve length. Also I read on the forum that with leather it's OK to go a little bigger because it will tighten up a bit, plus I heard that Wested jackets are a bit more snug than compared to US standards AND (lol more ands) I figure if I put on some weight or even muscle the extra room will help make the jacket last longer.

With your height and build the "Rolta special" cut would work better IMO, it's cut slimmer and longer than the OTR Raiders.

I figure if I put on some weight or even muscle the extra room will help make the jacket last longer.

Thats an excellent way to see it!!

How old are you anyway?

As we age, we all get bigger, rounder, and heavier as we go along with
life. To antisipate this as you are saying is a good idea.

And, by doing this, you will be able to wear multiple layers under the
jacket, and thus use it thru more seasons of the year than if you bought
it to "just fit" and only be able to wear a tee shirt under it.

The only thing that you will come across that might look out of place will
be the shoulders.

If your normal size is a 36, then a size 40 jacket will droop some at
the shoulders, and not square up like it should.

But, again, it will not look out of place seeing as todays fashions are
like that anyway.

Good luck with your choice!!

Flathead