Question about suit measurement

[dep126]

I'm looking at a suit on ebay and had a question for the experts about measurements. It's listed as a 42L and everything seems right except for the shoulder. It says its 18.5 inches from seam to seam across the back. Does this seem a little short to you? I checked a couple of my other jackets, both 42L, and they range from 19.5-20 inches. And most 42l I see show around the same also. Is this as important as chest size? According to all the other measurements it should fit perfect but I'm concerned about the shoulders. Is this that big a deal or is that one inch going to make the shoulders too tight? Thanks for all the help.

 

[Using Technology]

Originally Posted by dep126

I'm looking at a suit on ebay and had a question for the experts about measurements. It's listed as a 42L and everything seems right except for the shoulder. It says its 18.5 inches from seam to seam across the back. Does this seem a little short to you? I checked a couple of my other jackets, both 42L, and they range from 19.5-20 inches. And most 42l I see show around the same also. Is this as important as chest size? According to all the other measurements it should fit perfect but I'm concerned about the shoulders. Is this that big a deal or is that one inch going to make the shoulders too tight? Thanks for all the help.

People often measure this stuff wrong, but 18.5, while maybe on the short end for a 42L, does not seem crazy. I"m 18-18.5 and wear 40-42 jackets.

If your actual shoulders are 20 inches 18.5 will be too tight, but maybe your other jackets are too big? lots of people wear shoulders that are too big.

 

[rain_dog]

Probably what you are seeing is a 52 in the European sizing. The standard convention is to subtract 10 to get the US size, but this is inaccurate. A 52 is more like a US 40.5. If you're looking for suits on ebay, you will also want to look at 44s and check the measurements, as some of them are going to be EU 54s that are closer to a US 42.

That said, 18.5 isn't that unusual for a slim fit 42.