Club Obi Wan

Dear All

I wonder if any of you could please give me some advice with a dilemma concerning my jacket. I’m 6 ft, 40inch chest and own a 42L cowhide Wested. I purchased in summer 03 and essentially my quandary is seasonal. When jacket is open its great but when zipped up to keep out winter chill (wearing say a standard Levi-type denim shirt underneath) its just too restrictive around chest and shoulders to be truly comfortable, and I want to do something about it.

Do you think Wested could do anything by way of alteration (note with exception of slight wear on sleeve cuffs, rest of jacket is in as good as new condition). Failing that I was going to order a replacement (probably authentic lambskin this time) and wondered if the following made sense:

1. Ask for extra ½ inch on shoulders (currently jacket fits my shoulder exactly with no overhang).
2. Move up to a 44 (making sure that jacket length is same as my 42L to avoid “Temple” look).

I’m trying to strike a balance between being comfortable but not drowning in a garment that is too large. ###### unforgiving leather. Too big can look really awful.

Best wishes

Jock

My experience of simply going up a jacket size was not good, and I'm really close to your measurements. I am 6'1" have a 39" chest, and I was swimming in my first jacket, which was a 44L. If you order a replacement, I would suggest that you specify that you are typically a 42 but want a roomier fit...

I’m not sure I’m qualified to speak for “All,” but I’ll give you my opinion.

I don’t know where you live in the UK, but I would say it makes the most sense to just give Peter a call and seek out his advice by carefully explaining what it is you want armed with all the measurements or information you think is important for him to know written out. I would not haphazardly make any decisions based on randomly determining whether to add an extra 1/2 inch here or there on a custom fit jacket. If for some reason you prefer not to call, I would take Panama Tom’s advice and just ask for a “comfort’ fit or that you will be wearing a sweater or something underneath, and not ask for a size up when ordering.

As to the cowhide you now have, again, I would ask Peter, but I doubt if anything could be done with it now (essentially sizing up), but please, don’t take my own opinion as fact - you never know.

Jock....Why dont u go downthere in person.Its not far from the dartford crossing so shouldn't be too far for u to travel and u can get measured by the experts and explain what u want.

Dear all

Thanks for the advice. I will definately make a point of visiting Peter et al such that I can sort it out on the spot rather than just assuming going up to a 44 is a good idea.

Best wishes

Jock