Polo Ralph Lauren 38R, 40R, 40L on ebay

Do you have a chest measurement on the 40L? Thanks.

Chest and Hem on the Linen Check?

= size 36

Lay the coat flat and button the top button (on a 2 button) or the middle button (on a 3). Make sure the coat is spread fully, but don't stretch too much -- let the cloth lay naturally. It helps if you're on a hard surface; a soft bed makes this extremely tricky. Then measure from the outside edge right under the armpit to the outside edge on the other side.

William, I saw your auctions on ebay. Here's some constructive criticism: the measurements, with the text, do not inspire confidence. Take this example.

You admit to wearing it a dozen times, which is pretty often for a season, then you also say it does not fit you well, which does not make sense (why would you wear it often if it did not fit you well?). Then the measurements come out a trim 38 - and you say you're a 39 - and it was too big for you.

As a buyer, something's off here. I pass on the auction. This is what I think, if I bother to think it through: probably it's the result of you embellishing your story - one of the parts is made up, exaggerated, or wrong - and you can't keep your story straight. Either you are not the original owner (and got this on ebay or at a thrift store, but want to pretend, for the sake of the sale, that it's from your special private stock that you take extra good care of), or you can't measure a garment properly. Either way the details don't work out and unless the item can be won for <$50 shipped, there's no way I'm taking a chance on a pre-owned garment.

Since you are a SF member, I'll take fifteen minutes of my life to help you get it right. I am not sure about the measurements, but this site is a great resource when it comes to data about the various cuts. Turns out a NWT Fairbanks coat, much like your example but a 42, just appeared in B&S. That should give you some sense of what your measurements should be, and I think the ones you have must not be right. If the 42R NWT had a 43.5 chest, the only way your 40R has a 40 chest is if someone altered it. It should be more like 41.5.

Good luck ... these are good items and I want to see you do well with them

No, william, they are not insulting; don't be insulted when someone tries to help you. What I'm saying is that the extra information is not helping your listing, in my opinion. Knowing you from this forum, I totally believe what you say about the history of the item is true. When measurements & story contradict each other, as a buyer you don't know what to believe so you go away. And hey, guess what, ebay is full of fairy tales. There's a bunch of tired fictions used to sell vintage items. And many end with cliches like "My loss is your gain!" That's the context of the place. Everyone knows that a good percentage of items are puffed up with big and small dishonesties, so you shouldn't be surprised if buyers are suspicious when the details don't add up.

William-

Thanks for the chest information. I was hoping to get the width measurement at the pants hem, however, to judge how wide the pants are.

-lmbf