Tweed Action Back?

After deciding to return my David Chu tweed jacket due to it being to short, I am in search of a similar jacket. STP has several from Lambourne with an action back. What exactly is an action back? I know people like the pants but not sure about the opinion of Lambourne jackets? I have included links to STP

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Pro...x?baseNo=52441

Action back means that there are folds of extra fabric at the back shoulders, somewhat similar to side pleats on a shirt, that provide extra give for, well, action.

It has been my experience that such backs may also have a martingale.

This back allows freedom of movement without a fellow having to unbutton his jacket. This is done with a hidden bellows pleat along each side seam from the shoulder to the jacket's waist. Some coats also accomplish the same thing with a single inverted bellows along the jacket's center seam.

Action backs or bi-swing backs are great country clothes. For that matter, they are great country-looking clothes! Even if you aren't riding or shooting, the peasants will be certain that you ride and shoot.

Each of these jackets below has a decorative martingale or half-belt affixed. A true martingale or half belt (as mentioned by LabelKing) attaches to the jacket's waist on the backside only by buttons at the belt's end. Waist adjustment of the jacket is accomplished via extra buttonholes on the martingale.

On jackets where cost and form trump function, belt ends are merely sewn to the jacket body and there is no provision for adjustment.





Maybe some other member wishes to discuss the action back on a true Norfolk jacket with a full belt?

Here's a discussion of action back garments from AAAC: http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/f...ad.php?t=46440

_________________________________________________

I purchased the other Lambourne action back jacket from STP. I have had it for some time now and it is a decent jacket for the price (paid about $150). The jacket is fused.

One nice thing about action backs is that they let you get a nice suppressed waist by going down to a size that would normally constrict your shoulders. One thing to be aware of is that they make the jacket very much limited to jeans/cords and outdoor-pursuits-related wear.