HELP: Sack coat size alterations...

[Shockoe Hill Cats]

Re: HELP: Sack coat size alterations...

Just a thought... but why alter it?

Mr. Hicks is right, I have the same size problemo you have here. I just wear it a bit big myself!

And as Mr. Curt showed, countless photographs exemplify this common situation.

[nick19thind]

Re: HELP: Sack coat size alterations...

Couldn't you trade coats with a friend?

[WoodenNutmeg]

Re: HELP: Sack coat size alterations...

[...]I would not attempt to make a major reduction to a valued piece for fear that it would come out worse than it began, and no longer be so valued.

Thank you, Patrick...I have been debating over whether or not to adopt this logic.

Bryan O'Keefe, Esquire

[WoodenNutmeg]

Re: HELP: Sack coat size alterations...

Great picture, Curt!

I am well aware of the sizing of garments during the war, but I also know that there is nothing wrong with wanting a garment to fit close, if not closer. This fact, in contrast to Curt's photo, can also be evidenced...



Bryan O'Keefe, Esquire

[WoodenNutmeg]

Re: HELP: Sack coat size alterations...

Couldn't you trade coats with a friend?

Afraid not, Nick.

This jacket is one-of-a-kind and no trade would suffice.

Bryan O'Keefe, Esquire

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: HELP: Sack coat size alterations...

Hallo!

And swinging the pendulum a little further in that direction... ;) :)



Curt

[WoodenNutmeg]

Re: HELP: Sack coat size alterations...

Haha, yes indeed.

Bryan O'Keefe, Esquire

[csabugler]

Re: HELP: Sack coat size alterations...

Hey Curt, that looks like me after the holidays....
regarding that sizing job, as a master plumber, I do things effortlessly that someone skilled in another trade would not even attempt. And vice/versa. A tailor might consider that job as rudimentory. But if you aren't sure of exactly what you will need to do to make this work, don't try.

[prestontoprail]

Re: HELP: Sack coat size alterations...

I'll just add a quick quirp of advice to stick with the 4 common issue sizes for the fatigue blouse.
Size 1:36
size 2:38
size 3:40
size 4:42

If I normally wore a 42, then I wouldn't trying upgrading to a 44 considering a size 44 jacket would be harder to find than a 42 if your going for that "issue" look. From many accounts I have read it seemed that plenty of times the blouses would be in a big pile and one by one the recruit would walk up, the nco would give the guy a look and throw a jacket at him. It seemed to be up to the men after issues to get together and trade for sizes.

Another thing to consider is that the jackets were made with the size 1 and 2 jackets in the majority. Most fellas in those days were short and skinny as a rail as we know. I usually wear size 1 uniforms, because it is so UNDER-represented these days considering most of us are of a modern build. So it seems that if you were a larger fella, then a tight jacket of issue size would fit the period situation. To the original poster, I would order a size 1 fatigue blouse down the road and consider your current size 40 jacket an alternate.

[erik]

Re: HELP: Sack coat size alterations...

The intent of my post was not to highlight the advantage of a private purchase sack coat. I simply was trying to say that you wore what you were issued. As an officer if you ordered a sack from your tailor they would produce it from your last measurements. Reality suggests that if you lost weight on campaign it would hang.
When dealing with issued items there would be a greater degree of size variances. I have endured the exact same thing. My size has dropped since I ordered my sack and I am fitter as a result. Would I send it back because it does not fit like a glove? No.
If one desires a glove like fit then they should go to a custom tailor or accept the standard sizes. If you buy off the internet or sutler's row then live with it or...
make wiser choices.

Erik Simundson