Size up from St. Kilda?

[Tobus]

As I recall, the reason many vendors such as USA Kilts recommend sizing up is not because the correct size won't fit you properly. It's because Americans are not used to wearing waistcoats and jackets like they do in the UK, where they fit much more snugly. Americans prefer the "potato sack" fit, apparently, with extra room in the chest, shoulders that are much too wide, and sleeves that cover their knuckles. So instead of having people order the correct size and then complaining that it's too tight, they just tell people to size up.

So the real question is whether you want your jacket to fit closely or loosely. Obviously, there will be some variation in fit between makers, but the sizing-up issue shouldn't be done if you want a proper fit. There should be enough ease in the design based on your chest measurement. If you want a loose/sloppy fit, then size up, but I dare say it will not look as good as wearing the correct size for your chest.

[jthk]

My usual chest measurement comes in at 40 in. I have a waistcoat/jacket from Gaelic Themes (via USAK) and it's a 42 -- according to USAK, that should fit fine but it's too big. So, ignoring their "size-up" instructions, I ordered my typical size of a 40 in chest. That fits fine.

Guluck,
Jonathan

As I recall, the reason many vendors such as USA Kilts recommend sizing up is not because the correct size won't fit you properly. It's because Americans are not used to wearing waistcoats and jackets like they do in the UK, where they fit much more snugly. Americans prefer the "potato sack" fit, apparently, with extra room in the chest, shoulders that are much too wide, and sleeves that cover their knuckles. So instead of having people order the correct size and then complaining that it's too tight, they just tell people to size up.

So the real question is whether you want your jacket to fit closely or loosely. Obviously, there will be some variation in fit between makers, but the sizing-up issue shouldn't be done if you want a proper fit. There should be enough ease in the design based on your chest measurement. If you want a loose/sloppy fit, then size up, but I dare say it will not look as good as wearing the correct size for your chest.

[OC Richard]

I too generally find that UK made jackets fit fine, no "size up" needed.

By the way, for those that aren't aware the firm the St Kilda Group includes Gaelic Themes, RG Hardie, Peter Henderson, and I'm not sure what else.

What I didn't mention in my post above is that I do believe I would have had a better experience had I ordered through USAKilts rather than directly from St Kilda/Gaelic Themes.

It's often helpful to have a filter so to speak, someone who knows how the maker operates and what sort of information the maker does, and doesn't, require.

[Silmakhor]

I too generally find that UK made jackets fit fine, no "size up" needed.

By the way, for those that aren't aware the firm the St Kilda Group includes Gaelic Themes, RG Hardie, Peter Henderson, and I'm not sure what else.

What I didn't mention in my post above is that I do believe I would have had a better experience had I ordered through USAKilts rather than directly from St Kilda/Gaelic Themes.

It's often helpful to have a filter so to speak, someone who knows how the maker operates and what sort of information the maker does, and doesn't, require.

I'm about 99% certain that a jacket I tried on locally - from Rablogan Castle in Vermont - was also Gaelic Themes.

[Macman]

I too generally find that UK made jackets fit fine, no "size up" needed.

By the way, for those that aren't aware the firm the St Kilda Group includes Gaelic Themes, RG Hardie, Peter Henderson, and I'm not sure what else.

What I didn't mention in my post above is that I do believe I would have had a better experience had I ordered through USAKilts rather than directly from St Kilda/Gaelic Themes.

It's often helpful to have a filter so to speak, someone who knows how the maker operates and what sort of information the maker does, and doesn't, require.

I agree 100%! I have a Gaelic Themes jacket that I'm very happy with. I ordered it through Freedom Kilts. Steve Ashton took all the measurements and pictures of me in one of his stock jackets, and sent them in with my order. The result fit perfectly.

[kilted2000]

I'm not sure USA Kilts would help. They told me that they stopped offering MTM service because problems in sizing made it more trouble than it's worth. Maybe they are doing it again. The standard size jackets they sell are Gaelic Themes of course. Measuring yourself can be annoying and a problem.

[Silmakhor]

Dumb me, the jacket I tried on locally was a “Clunie” jacket from House of Edgar. My normal suit jackets fit at 44”. Other Saxon jackets I’ve tried fit at 42” - sometimes, but sometimes they don’t.

The HoE jacket I tried at 44” was tight in the arms and shoulders - and it wasn’t just a matter of American vs. Euro tastes. My motion was constricted. Not acceptable for a jacket I intend to gig in.