Suit Jacket sizing and fit 38 or 40?

tommboy · Dec 24, 2008

I am purchasing one of my first suits at the local store and found this great Zegna suit that is very slim fitting. I have an athletic build (broad shoulders small waist) I'm 5 foot 9 170-180 pounds. The guy there was telling me im about a 39. The 38 looks really good but I'm worried the jacket is to small or will become to small (I keep fit and workout). But it was obvious when trying on the 40 that it was too big. The pants fit well accept the area around the ass was too tight, they made it a little bigger and now they fit just great. My question is how do I know if the jacket is to small in the shoulders? Should I be getting the suit tight fitting? And should I be worried out growing the jacket?

SkinnyGoomba · Dec 24, 2008

tomm.

gonna require pictures.

Mr.K · Dec 24, 2008

Best bet is to get the 40 and have find a good tailor to size it down to a perfect fit. Then you can have it exactly the way you want it to look. I am in the same boat as you and am in between the 38 and 40. I have always just gone with the 40, since my tailor does a great job at making my clothes fit the way I want them to.

tommboy · Dec 24, 2008

****, I'm not gonna be able to do you have pictures maybe I can go from, I'm almost positive the 40 was too big. What else could I even F****** do if there are no 39's?

Tarmac · Dec 24, 2008

you have to do what anyone does when they are between sizes. choose the one that you prefer.

distinct · Dec 24, 2008

I have a 40 inch chest and a 31 inch waist, so I always have this sort of issue. I just buy the suit with the best fitting jacket, and have the jacket & pants altered. There are some brands that have a larger drop than others, which fit me well though.

As for outgrowing it, yes you eventually will if you are working out to get bigger and not just to maintain what you have, though it might take a while to add a few inches to your chest/shoulders... the waist measurement for pants will probably stay pretty much the same.

tommboy · Dec 24, 2008

I thought the ONE thing you couldn't change on the jacket was the shoulder size? They are tailoring everything else (sleeves a tad longer, expanding the back a little bit, expanding the butt area and of course making the pants the right length)

What would the jacket do if it was to small in the shoulders?

distinct · Dec 24, 2008

Originally Posted by tommboy

I thought the ONE thing you couldn't change on the jacket was the shoulder size? They are tailoring everything else (sleeves a tad longer, expanding the back a little bit, expanding the butt area and of course making the pants the right length)

What would the jacket do if it was to small in the shoulders?

From what I understand, if it is too small in the shoulders you're basically **** outta luck unless you have a very fine tailor. I wouldn't even consider it; however, since you are buying what appears to be a NEW suit there isn't any reason to get one which is too small in the shoulders.

What I mean in my earlier post was the I get a jacket that fits close to *perfect* in the shoulders. The way my build is, that usually means that the chest fits well too, but the bottom of the jacket is too big, so I just have my tailor work on it. Keep in mind though that it's hard to take in dramatic amounts.

As far as too tight, too loose - that's really a matter of personal taste and common sense. Can't really give a second opinion though without photos.

tommboy · Dec 24, 2008

So what would constitute not fitting in the shoulders? If I can put it on and can move around does mean it's ok?

Tarmac · Dec 24, 2008

the smallest size which is comfortable

tommboy · Dec 24, 2008

well then it's definatly fine, would the suit look weird in the shoulders or something otherwise it fits great I can moveabd my body looks very defined in it

tommboy · Dec 25, 2008

what about the shoulders crinkling, is that something I should look for?

Suit Jacket sizing and fit 38 or 40?

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