Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

[CJDaley]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

I've noticed when a size 48 pops up on the buy and sell forum, it usually moves pretty fast. Maybe consider a couple. Some 48's are just big guys ... not necessarily fat.

True, I've made stuff for semi-pro hokey players who were a 54 chest and a 40 waist, but had NO body fat on them, all muscle. I believe there were guys in 1861 who were laborers who could have been built that big and not been 'fat'.

[Ian McWherter]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

When I first started reenacting in the '90s 42" chest seemed to be pretty average. Around 2000 44" became more common and now 46" seems to be the "new" average. With the rest of American society reenactors seem to be getting bigger as well.

[CJSchumacher]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

Just be glad you're one of the few, like me...who are in the 38" - 40" range. I think part of the bigger sizing seen here is largely an uneducated consumer fault than anything else. I fully believe many don't wear the right sized jacket to begin with and aren't used to wearing clothing that actually fits. American consumers ALWAYS seem to buy clothing with "room to spare."

I also don't buy the argument (yet) that its the "getting older" part. I'll be 33 in two months and keep getting smaller as I grow older and more physically fit.

[csabugler]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

It is odd, but it seems like museum jackets are always so small. Maybe it is the curators messing with us and all the hockey player jackets are locked away. :D
Muriel Joslyn wrote a great book several years ago about the Immortal 600. She had height, weight etc on many of them. I forget exactly what dimensions she found but I remember that they were not as petite as the concensus opinion of the day indicated.
Anybody have that book handy?

[sepoy1857]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

I'm a 46 now - down from a 48-50!

[CJDaley]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

It is odd, but it seems like museum jackets are always so small. Maybe it is the curators messing with us and all the hockey player jackets are locked away. :D

Thanks Pard, I always forget why I shouldn't post on these forums, but your friendly reminder snapped me back to reality.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

When I first started reenacting in the '90s 42" chest seemed to be pretty average. Around 2000 44" became more common and now 46" seems to be the "new" average. With the rest of American society reenactors seem to be getting bigger as well.

(As of right now) The biggest bar on the graph is for 42. However, you'd expect a nice even drop off above and below that point. Instead, you can see very few guys below a size 42, yet there is almost a "flat" distribution from 44-48, or so.

An interesting poll would be to have folks post the difference between their chest and waist measurements. THAT would get folks on a treadmill! :wink_smil
(or, maybe there'd just be a lot fewer voting! )

[Marylander in Grey]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

Wel I was wearing a size 50 coat and 36 pants at 16 years and now at 41 years I where a 50 coat and a 38-40 pants depending on whos pattern and whos a cutting it out. I am a hell of a lot fatter now than then.
My input.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

Hallo!

I'll add this here as it seems the comments are greater here than on the other thread...

Pesky Tape measure reads.... 42 1/2 inches.

In my mind, ideally, that would mean a "Size 43."
However, some vendors' Size 42's fits as it should, others are too snug (buttons pull). Some vendors' Size 44 fit loosely, other's are sloppy.
(I have largely given up, to the point of buying only "off the rack" after trying the garment on- or going with Size 44's and hoping they are not large.)

Having sloughed off my PT rouitnes and gained ten pounds last winter not quite gone yet...

Being over weight, one point over my ideal BMI, and two points over the ideal fat per centage of body weight...

I wear either Size 34 or Size 36 trousers depending on the maker.

Curt
Girly Mon Mess

[D F Smith Historic]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

Hi All,

WOW! Didn't expect all the responces so fast. :)

Thank you Chris & Dan for your sharing regarding the sizes you have found over time to be more common in the hobby,

Ian , I have noticed the same thing that the hobby has grown in chest size over time since the 90s

All, As for making some smaller sizes. I will continue to make a few 38's & 40's (this is my chest size range as well)

Seeing how the scale is going on the poll, & from Chris's, Dan's & Ian's input. I will keep on hand as best as possible coats in the 42-46 range, with a 40 and a 48 on hand if possible.

Every ones input has been ( & is) very helpful. As for the past 15 years I only made garments "to order", and didn't keep them as a on hand as an in stock item. This is a new direction for me & hopefully a good one.


Paul, I did recieve the buttons, Man they are perfect! thank you!
Thank you everyone for the input, I sincerely appreciate it.

I am looking forward to hearing/readign more, and seeing the end results of the poll


Don S

BTW, I do have a Ohio /US Vol Jacket on hand for a 40 " Chest.

[mslaird]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

I was a 52-54 a year ago and now I fit into a 46, with the exception of my shoulders. I wear a 48 for that reason. I end up with more than a bit of room in the waist of the jacket in the tradeoff. I know a few more fellows that are in the same boat 6'3" around 220-245 that requested 48 jackets for the same reasons.

[Andrew Jarvi]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

Yep, 54" everything has had to be special ordered for me since high school. Although I felt better standing next to one of the local NHL hockey players who has a 52" chest, the difference was 6" in waist measurement!

[MontReb]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

44 here Don.

[Tom Dodson]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

Mr. Schumacher,
"Getting older" at almost 33? It is true we are all getting older. Some of us have just been on the trip longer than others. Come back and talk to me when you are 53.
I wore a 42 in high school. Yes, it was a one room school house. Now at 59, I find a 48-50 much more comfortable. Also the waist has gone from 32 to 38. But I can still whip anybody at the old folks home!:)
Tom Dodson
47th Ga

[Ian McWherter]

Re: Most Common Chest Size in the hobby

Mr. Schumacher,
"Getting older" at almost 33? It is true we are all getting older. Some of us have just been on the trip longer than others. Come back and talk to me when you are 53.
I wore a 42 in high school. Yes, it was a one room school house. Now at 59, I find a 48-50 much more comfortable. Also the waist has gone from 32 to 38. But I can still whip anybody at the old folks home!:)
Tom Dodson
47th Ga

I have some very good friends in this hobby one pushing 50, the other 52 and another over 60. All of them are slim, athletic and lead very active life styles. I dare say they can out march most young guys I know and they'll enjoy getting to live to see their grandchildren grow up. All of them have 36" or 38" chest measurements, this is not an "age" issue, it's a lifestyle issue.