Charity shop find/unfind

[Laird_M]

Was browsing the charity shops close to work yesterday and saw a really nice tweed jacket for £5. IN MY SIZE.
Thought great, can modify to go with my kilt, then double checked the size - (NEVER trust the hanger or the tag), and it was a size too small.

[keclea]

That's disappointing. I tend to take the "never trust the hanger/tag size" adage a step further. "Never trust the size listed on the garment." I have slightly longer arms than average, so finding jackets that fit me well can be a chore. I can grab a dozen jackets (all listed as the exact same size), and some will be too small, some will be too large, some will be just an awkward fit, and "maybe" there will be one or two that fit well.

[Kalok Sundancer]

That's disappointing. I tend to take the "never trust the hanger/tag size" adage a step further. "Never trust the size listed on the garment." I have slightly longer arms than average, so finding jackets that fit me well can be a chore. I can grab a dozen jackets (all listed as the exact same size), and some will be too small, some will be too large, some will be just an awkward fit, and "maybe" there will be one or two that fit well.

Yeah. I, too, have disproportionately long arms. It makes finding well fitting jackets and long sleeve shirts a pain in the neck without alterations.

[keclea]

If it wasn't so expensive, it makes me think about always getting tailor-made clothes.

[MNlad]

Never trust the size listed on the garment.

Amen. No two manufacturers have the same notion of what a specific size is—and they change over time. I recently picked up a 1960s size 40 tweed jacket that would be lucky to qualify as a 38 today. Don't get me started on small vs. medium vs. large!

As the population has bulked up over time, manufacturers have kept increasing the size of garments in a given size to make us feel good. That's why most kilt-maker tells you not to trust the waist size of the pants you wear when ordering a kilt.

[keith_b]

Vanity sizing, scourge of the modern age.

[Nathan]

It's not just vanity sizing, although admittedly that is a factor. I have everything I purchase altered to fit me just right so when it goes to the thrift store, it could never pass the measuring tape test.

[Sturdy]

In Ithaca we are very lucky to have a lady at the local dry-cleaner who tailors; I bought a very good leather jacket for $50 but it was large on me, she tailored it for $38!! and now it fits like a glove so I got a $300 jacket for $88. Check around you might find somebody like her. I'm going to find a tweed jacket and have her alter it for me or have one of my jackets altered by her.

[brewerpaul]

If it wasn't so expensive, it makes me think about always getting tailor-made clothes.

Do as I have do.e,especially after starting to wear Kilts, and become your own tailor. Had to pass up a Harris Tweed this weekend by found a nice 8 dollar hacking jacket. Ill let the sleeves out for
y extra long arms. From shirts to jackets I'm making my own now.

[MacRobert's Reply]

This is a bit expensive for a charity shop but perhaps they would accept an offer for the velvet Kenmore doublet.

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/mens-cl...m-hd_100255577