Is this overcoat too big for me?

[Kieran26]

I'm trying to find an overcoat online. I'm a size 34S, slender and short.

This ebayer lists the "XS" coat as having a 20-inch width chest. He measured by laying the coat on the ground and taking the chest width. To my mind, this would mean it's a size 40 jacket, but he insists it's a US Extra Small, which has fit me in the past. Would it fit me?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vogue-2-Button-S...item2c59cc470d

 

[alliswell]

A suit coat will have 2-4" inches of "extra" room over its stated size, to allow you to breath and move. By this calculation a full fitting 34 should measure 38" pit to pit. An overcoat will have 1-2" more allowance than a suit coat, permitting layering. That gets us to 40" for an overcoat, which is what your seller is quoting. That said, it's likely to be loose-fitting at that size, which may not be what you're looking for.

What's more important is the shoulder size. You probably take a 16.5"-17" shoulder in a suit - you should look for an 18" shoulder on the overcoat.

 

[Sanguis Mortuum]

Originally Posted by Kieran26

To my mind, this would mean it's a size 40 jacket?

Well this is far from the truth, for the reasons mentioned above. A size 40 will have a chest measurement of 44"+ as you need a certain amount of ease. 20" P2P still sounds like a 36 though, which might still be an XS in some brands, but may also still be a bit big for you.

 

[alliswell]

Also shoulders are all wrong - they're for a suit coat. Forget this and move on.

 

[SirGrotius]

As noted above, would be too big. Also, if you're a "short" you wouldn't want to wear a long overcoat such as this.

 

[Sanguis Mortuum]

Originally Posted by Style Master

If he measured it across the back at 20"(the front is usually a bit smaller) that doesn't mean it's a size 40.
If that coat measure 40" total for example then it would fit a guy with a 34" chest because you need anywhere from 6" to 10" for movement.

6" maybe, but 10" sounds a bit excessive even for an overcoat.

 

[ALFAMALE]

I would avoid that coat.

 

[Harold falcon]

OP, measure the chest of an overcoat that you own or that you know fits you. If it measures 20 across the chest then you know this will fit you in the chest.

Going by sizes (40S or XS) is never as good as going by actual measurements because every manufacturer will have some differences that you may not be familiar with.