Jacket length advice required

**chrisupyonder** · 4th March 11, 06:48 PM

I am going to Edinburgh in a couple of weeks time for 3 days and hope to buy a ex-hire Argyll or Crail jacket while I am there, as cheap as £89.95 but good quality all wool.
http://www.nicolsonkiltmakers.com/in...ll-jacket.html.
There are several other shops.
I have asked our local shop but they do not sell ex-hire and their cheapest new is £225
They seem to be in 3 different lengths for every chest size. I am 5ft 7in. I can try on at the shop but if its cold and wet will probably not be wearing my kilt during the day. I would like to have some idea of length before I go.

**SlackerDrummer** · 4th March 11, 06:51 PM

I believe the three different sizes you are referring to are primarily related to sleeve length, which should correspond to any Saxon clothing you currently own.

**Downunder Kilt** · 4th March 11, 06:54 PM

I guess you are meaning short, regular or long. To my knowledge these are referirng to the sleeve lengths. In my own case I am a 44R which means the sleeve length is 25" short would be 24.5 and long 25.5 or 26. I have jackets in 44R and 44S and the sleeve length is the only difference

**xman** · 4th March 11, 07:25 PM

Short, Regular and Long jackets also vary in torso length as well as sleeve length, but I wouldn't worry about an inch one way or the next. If the sleeves fit, the rest will fall into place.

**Steve Ashton** · 4th March 11, 07:35 PM

Off-the-rack or off-the-peg kilt jackets are sold in the same sizes as suit and sport coats the world over. If you know your size in normal jacket you will be pretty close to the same size in a kilt jacket.

One caution though, kilt jackets tend to be cut narrower than N. American jackets. You may find that you will feel more comfortable in one size larger in the chest.

But if you now wear a Short, Regular, or Long jacket the same applies for a kilt jacket.

If you are worried about the length of the bottom of the jacket if you try one on without your kilt simply reach around in back and the hem of the jacket should fall at the crest of your buttocks or at the bottom of the Fell of your kilt.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 4th March 11, 08:06 PM

To what Steve has said, I would add that since you are buying from a kilt rental shop you borrow one of their kilts when you are trying on jackets.

As to sleeve length, the sleeves should reach to your wrist, and no lower than the base of your thumb. Anything longer will look like you are wearing someone else's jacket (or you rented it

).

(Your thumb has three joints: one near the tip, one in the middle, and one at the base, just below your wrist. It is the joint nearest the wrist that marks the extreme length of the sleeve on civilian jackets.)

**MacMillan's son** · 4th March 11, 09:10 PM

Regarding your time line, if you intend to take advantage of this particular sale you may want to order it now and pick it up when you get there. Two weeks is a really long time in these days of internet sales (especially since you just posted it on the worlds largest kilt board :-) Of course, that is assuming there is limited number of jackets available in your size.

Good luck!

**chrisupyonder** · 4th March 11, 09:45 PM

I have been told there are plenty about this time of year. Most hire shops are replacing their hire stock at this time after Burns night and getting ready for the spring wedding season. Thanks for all the advice, I will probably just visit a lot of shops and try them on noting to get the sleeve length correct. That was the bit about length I was not sure about.

**Father Bill** · 5th March 11, 04:46 AM

Originally Posted by Steve Ashton

One caution though, kilt jackets tend to be cut narrower than N. American jackets. You may find that you will feel more comfortable in one size larger in the chest..

Steve, with every bit of respect, my beautiful perfectly-fitting Argyle bramathea is two sizes larger than my best fitting Saxon jackets. You are right to advise caution. (possibly because I'm the shape I am. My shirt is an 18 / 33 / fat.)

**Downunder Kilt** · 5th March 11, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

Steve, with every bit of respect, my beautiful perfectly-fitting Argyle bramathea is two sizes larger than my best fitting Saxon jackets. You are right to advise caution. (possibly because I'm the shape I am. My shirt is an 18 / 33 / fat.)

Father Bill, I think you have hit the nail on the head, I don't know why these jacket manufactures don't have a "F" fitting ie 44F.