Club Obi Wan

So I received an email today from Kim with information about the sizing of AB shirts. They show the following measurements for a Extra Large and an XX Large:

X-Large:
A: 41cm. / 16,2"
B: 73cm. / 29"
C: 64cm. / 25"
D: 82cm. / 32,3"

XX-Large:
A: 42cm. / 16,5"
B: 75cm. / 29,5"
C: 65cm. / 25,5"
D: 85cm. / 33,5"



The above measurements don't look right to me. I'm usually a X-Large in shirts and wear a size 46R jacket (and in the GB Expedition Jacket), but the AB XX Large shirt would still be too small if I'm reading the chest (C) measurement correctly at 25.5. My measurement is 42.

Can someone enlighten please?

That DOES look strange. I'm a 44R or a 46R, and I'm almost always an X-large.

maboot38 wrote:That DOES look strange. I'm a 44R or a 46R, and I'm almost always an X-large.

Same here; I wear a 44L or 46L and ALWAYS wear a X-Large shirt.

25.5 is measured pit to pit it would give 51". Or had you already taken that into account??

Kt Templar wrote:25.5 is measured pit to pit it would give 51". Or had you already taken that into account??

I'm not sure what you're saying. If AB states the Chest measurement as 25.5 isn't that the circumference? If it's a flat measurement that would make more sense I suppose. It's still a bit unorthodox since every tailor I've ever used wraps the tape around the chest....

P.S. The "B" measurement is also odd: 29" for a sleeve length? I wear a 34-35 in all my XL shirts. Something is definitely being lost in translation.

I went ahead and ordered an XL with some trepidation. Will give a full report when it arrives.

Leather jackets are often quoted as a pit to pit measure. The sleeve is probably a shoulder seam to cuff measure too.

Didn't the figures have a diagram to refer to??

I can't post the pic of the chart right now but... here's the letters and what they are from the chart Kim sent me a while back:

A: Neck size
B: Sleeve length from shoulder seam to end of cuff
C: Pit to Pit
D: Front length from top of shoulder (next to collar) to bottom of shirt

Kt Templar wrote:Leather jackets are often quoted as a pit to pit measure. The sleeve is probably a shoulder seam to cuff measure too.

Didn't the figures have a diagram to refer to??

Here it is (also just added to the first post):



Since this thread is about the AB shirt I'm not sure what you mean when you wrote that "leather jackets are often quoted as a pit to pit measure".

As far as know, all tailors use a measurement using the circumference of the chest, unless things are different in Europe, which I doubt.

Nevada Jones wrote:P.S. The "B" measurement is also odd: 29" for a sleeve length? I wear a 34-35 in all my XL shirts. Something is definitely being lost in translation.

I went ahead and ordered an XL with some trepidation. Will give a full report when it arrives.

The sleeve length is European (measured from tip of shoulder to bottom of cuff. Your 34-35 sleeve length is measured from the pit of the back. Take a long sleeve shirt that fits you well; now measure from the shoulder seam to the end of the cuff. I'll bet it's around 28-29".

The chest measurement is the actual shirt lengh from armpit to armpit. So double that number to get the circumference. It should be a few inches larger than your chest size for a comfortable fit.

All measurements given by Kim are actual material measurements. Measure a well fitting shirt from the bottom of one armpit across the front (with buttons buttoned up) to the other armpit. It is probably about the same as C on the chart.

I hope this helps. The shirts are all cut long so a regular or short person may need to have the sleeves shortened a bit by a local tailor.

You make WAY too much sense david3000 Thanks for the very straightforward reply. Maybe AB can take note and offer their sizing chart with an American translation.

Was I wrong to make the assumptions I did?

The picture is pretty self explanatory. Some of these are conventions, you will come across on this very forum. If the chest had been a circumference it would have been drawn as an oval. Likewise the sleeve would have been drawn from the nape of the neck if it were measures as you thought it would be. Todd measures his shirt this way.

Well today I received my AB shirt. I threw it in the washer (cold water) and dried it for about 10 minutes on low. It's too small Too small mainly in the chest and shoulders.

I thought I ordered the right size, but looks like I'll need to order the next size up, the XXL.

If anyone in the U.S. wants an XL AB shirt, never worn (just tried on) I'll sell it for half PM me for details.

Nevada Jones wrote:Well today I received my AB shirt. I threw it in the washer (cold water) and dried it for about 10 minutes on low. It's too small Too small mainly in the chest and shoulders.

I thought I ordered the right size, but looks like I'll need to order the next size up, the XXL.

If anyone in the U.S. wants an XL AB shirt, never worn (just tried on) I'll sell it for half PM me for details.

I am really sorry to hear that. Are you sure you're not just used to an oversized shirt?

This shirt should have the shoulder seam touching the joint where the arm meets the shoulder (not drooping over the shoulder as is current fashion).

The chest should fit comfortably but not loosely. If you wrap your arms around yourself (as if to hug yourself ) you shouldn't feel any tension on your back.

Again I feel really bad for you. Take care, David

david3000 wrote:

Nevada Jones wrote:Well today I received my AB shirt. I threw it in the washer (cold water) and dried it for about 10 minutes on low. It's too small Too small mainly in the chest and shoulders.

I thought I ordered the right size, but looks like I'll need to order the next size up, the XXL.

If anyone in the U.S. wants an XL AB shirt, never worn (just tried on) I'll sell it for half PM me for details.

I am really sorry to hear that. Are you sure you're not just used to an oversized shirt?

Again I feel really bad for you. Take care, David

Yeah, I'm sure. It's too tight. No room at all and the material pulls where it buttons.

I measure a 42 inch chest circumference and the AB shirt size large fits me just fine. If you are a 44 or 46 chest, then I would suggest an XXL size. You should also try the shirt on before you wash it to check sizing. That way, you can return or exchange it for another size if it doesn't fit. Once you wash it, you can't return most clothing.

Indiana MarkVII wrote: That way, you can return or exchange it for another size if it doesn't fit. Once you wash it, you can't return most clothing.

Living in the U.S. I don't think it would be financially feasible to return/exchange it with the costs of shipping to the EU, so I just sold it. Hopefully it will work out with the new owner.

I will go with the XXL in the future, but for now AB has none in stock and they don't know when they'll get more.

That's good that you sold it. And yes, returning goods to an overseas address is not always cost effective, and I don't like doing that often even domestically, although I've had to recently when buying shoes online. Unfortunately, not too many local shoe retailers carry my size, so I have to try them on a carpeted surface and return them if the fit isn't right. I failed to mention that earlier, so your point is well made. I have Indy shirts from a number of vendors, and so far, the AB is my favorite shirt, except the buttons come off easily. Fortunately, Marc was able to send me some replacements, but now I need the right color thread.

Does anyone know what the thread color is called for the AB shirts if you've had to replace the buttons, or should I start a new thread on this topic?