42R vs 42L

[oldskool]

I wear a 42R in most suits, Paul Stuart 42M/L - I am 5'10", medium build.

Can I buy a 42L and have it cut to fit? Is it just sleeves and pants that are longer on an L vs an R or is the jacket much longer and the drop, etc.

Thank you.

 

[Manton]

Maybe. You can shorten the coat, but you can't move the pockets or change the button stance. So you might end up with a coat who's balance is off, and that looks really low-waisted.

 

[oldskool]

Thanks. What is the break point for R to L? 6' tall?

 

[Manton]

Good question. That sounds about right, or maybe 6' 1". I know that I'm a 41XL, and I'm a shade taller than 6'4". I'm not sure about other sizes, however. Does anyone know of an online chart that lays all this out, size by size?

 

[benchan]

What is the break point for R to L? 6' tall?

No hard and fast rule. Each person upper and lower body proportion is different.

Even if you shortern the coat, the waist hits differently on a long cut suit versus a regular cut.

 

[StagRaven]

Quote:

No hard and fast rule. Each person upper and lower body proportion is different.
I agree with this very strongly. I am also 5'10", medium build. In most of my fittings for RTW, it is pointed out to me that I am slightly too tall for a 42R, but just barely too short for a 42L. It's a matter of the length of my torso compared to my legs. I've come to accept it as a fact of not buying custom, as it's just one more measurement where I fall between the 'norms'.

 

[cloud9eleet]

For reference, I am ~6'3+ and wear a 42L. I think trying to cut a *L suit to *R would be a bit strange due to pockets and buttons as described previously.

 

[ernest]

I think that it is easy to alter and that nobody would see that your pocket is 2 cm below.

I have the same problem but haven't tailored the jacket yet.

 

[Manton]

Another thing to consider: shortening the jacket shortens the vent(s), if any. Vent can't be lengthened.