Suit Jacket / Sport Coat Length and Long Arms: How Long Should It Be?

[ktennant3]

I've heard suit jackets and sport coats should either (a) just cover the bottom of your buttocks or (b) be just long enough to curl your hand underneath the bottom as you're wearing. I'm 6' tall, which puts me right on the border of R and L jackets, and my shirt sleeve size is 36/37. The difference between (a) and (b) for me, then, is several inches. Which would look better proportionately: a jacket that comes to the bottom of my rear, or that is long enough for my arms? In other words, is it more important to look proportional with the torso or the arms? Thanks!

 

[Despos]

Torso first. Your arms are seldom static at your side. If you were 5'8" and 37 sleeve length you would compromise between the two but at 6' it's not relevant.

 

[dks202]

I have the same problem. The difference between R and L jacket is two inches (31" vs 33"). I wear 32". I have found two solutions.

I get Hickey Freeman in 44L and have the jacket made one inch shorter.

OR, buy Samuelsohn 44ML Medium Long. Brooks Brothers used to sell ML but they are long gone....

 

[CousinDonuts]

Are you slender or stocky? I am 6'1" and was talked once into buying a Long. I'm a slender guy. I sort of hate the jacket every time I put it on because the extra length makes me feel like the jacket is just bigger overall and overwhelms my body,

 

[yfivan]

I'm 6'2 and have a similar problem.

Guys, correct me if I'm wrong, but I would say that covering the bottom of your buttocks is more of a "necessary condition". And since I have long arms, I like to gauge the length of my suit with.....



... where the bottom of your suit jacket divides the distance from your collar to the floor in half.