Dusty Brogues
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From my very poorly executed but well meaning question, you've summed up that query nicely. Thanks FXH.
I must be a bloody drop 8
I've been doing some writing and research on this stuff. Plus as a practicality and curiosity measurement hundreds of jackets in many many low end, mid end and high end brands etc.
Very short version.
There is no Australian Standard sizing in men or women. There was an old sizing but not always followed and not mandated.
There is technically a UK sizing but its not mandated.
There is technically a USA standard but its not mandated. There is also a USA "standard" called USA catalogue (or as they say catalog) sizing. But its not mandated.
USA catalog sizing will often say 34" waist but real measurements 35". You'll have even see this on higher end retailers such as Howard Yount's sizing. Have a look.
There is a EU standard, EN 13402, finalised in 2006 - 2007, that included multi dimensions and recommendations for simple graphics to describe sizes on some useful basic measurements. However it is still not necessarily in wide use and is not mandated although it does appear that the Spanish maybe be the first to mandate it.
So basically there are no mandated standards. Even if they are mandated it then depends on if the mandate is to be applied in country of manufacture - if you can work that out - or point of sale. Probably point of sale country.
So.
The "tradition" is that mens suit/jacket sizes go by chest measurements. That is a size 40 suit (50 in EU just to make it confusing) was for a 40 inch chest. [to add to even more confusion - only UK and USA use inches or non metric to any real extent] The drop refers to the difference in chest size and waist size. The usual drop was 6 ' - that is a size 40 chest would have a size 34 waist. But there is also drop 5 and 7 relatively common. Of course there can be any drop.
Shoulder width /size can and does wander around all over the place. I have jackets from size 39 through to 42 all with shoulder size 18" to 18.5"
An R equals regular size. S traditionally was 1" shorter in sleeves and length than an R.
An L was 1" longer in sleeves and length than an R.
But there is no rule that mandates this anywhere. But many manufacturers stick roughly to these rules.
From my very poorly executed but well meaning question, you've summed up that query nicely. Thanks FXH.
I must be a bloody drop 8
