A minor rant on waistcoat sizing (ignore if you prefer)

[Michael Farley]

Waistcoats seem to come back into fashion (and into stock on the high street) every few years, but I think they are intended to be worn with the buttons undone. Sometimes if I try on the largest waistcoat a shop has in stock it will be ok across the shoulders and the right length but the buttons won't even come close to meeting across my (admittedly ample) belly.

Also, I've given up even looking for trousers in most high street retailers. I have a 40" waist and 29" leg (or 'forty shorty' as my wife calls it). On the rare occasions I can find a pair of trousers that don't squeeze me in the middle like a string of sausages, I inevitably have to spend ages shortening the blasted things so I don't trip over my own feet.

[queenofgoblins]

I agree with Ada, above.  Victorian body shapes are very me, whereas today's women's sizes are based upon a young man's body shape.

I agree whole-heartedly.
Baby Got back pretty much describes my body type. Bustles are my friend.

[Capt. Dirigible]

Waistcoats seem to come back into fashion (and into stock on the high street) every few years, but I think they are intended to be worn with the buttons undone.

True.. as this picture of trendy 'folk rockers' Mumford and Sons illustrates..

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

but also there is a trend for tightly buttoned up waistcoats (designed to be worn by stick thin guys) with hipster trousers which results in  the dreaded 'triangle of shame' (the glimse of shirt twixt weskit and trouser top..) illustrated here again by Mssrs Mumford and Sons

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

[Grumfoss]

AArrrgh the triangle of Shame, my pet hate!..

I always find it difficult to find a waistcoat from a high street retailer to fit, they are never big enough. I'm a 48" long, and most end up being 46".

If i do find one that fits, then the problem is the triangle of shame as the waistcoat is not long enough.

Grum

[Capt. Dirigible]

I'm a 48" long, and most end up being 46".

Tell me about it.. .

[Ulysses Reynolds]

I'm thankful for the fact, that most stock clothing fits me without any fuss. Never bought a piece that hasn't fitted me to a T.

[Greaser350]

If i do find one that fits, then the problem is the triangle of shame as the waistcoat is not long enough.

Grum

I have the exact opposite problem.  I'm a rather short individual, at about 5' 5" and can't find, for the life of me, an OTR waistcoat that doesn't look far too long on me.  I've had a few with straight hems altered to be shorter while still maintaining an inch or more overlap of waistcoat and trousers, but this alteration doesn't seem possible with pointed hems.

[DreamHazard]

Waistcoats seem to come back into fashion (and into stock on the high street) every few years, but I think they are intended to be worn with the buttons undone.

True.. as this picture of trendy 'folk rockers' Mumford and Sons illustrates..

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

but also there is a trend for tightly buttoned up waistcoats (designed to be worn by stick thin guys) with hipster trousers which results in  the dreaded 'triangle of shame' (the glimse of shirt twixt weskit and trouser top..) illustrated here again by Mssrs Mumford and Sons

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

let's be fair though, at least they haven't fastened the lower buttons of their weskits... Also I like the ribbon tie.

That said, PULL UP YOUR TROUSERS BOYS, YOU LOOK LIKE GANGSTA RAPPERS.

[Argus Fairbrass]

I remain in two minds about the bottom button thing. It looks good on some of my waistcoats, not so much on others. Besides I remain a little dubious about taking style tips from portly princes.

But yes this slimfit malarkey is becoming a pain. The velvet waistcoat I bought recently at size 40 is a little tight around the waist compared to older styles I have, but 42 drowns me. Luckily velvet stretches quite a lot, but I'm fearing for those buttons already.

Personally I blame all these gym bodies, even my most steadfast slacker buddies all seem to be getting memberships these days. I know we're all growing older and it's no bad thing to look after yourself. But still I dunno, parading around in lycra shorts and muscle tops when you're close to or over 40, seems rather like over compensating to me. Although I suppose it's a cheaper option than buying a Porsche.

But It certainly is hip to be fit again, and fashion sizing is changing accordingly. As I'd rather eat my own spleen than join a gym personally, following rotund royal style may unfortunately prove a necessity.

[Hez]

If the waistcoat has a silk back rather than velvet it should be a relatively simple matter to replace the back piece with a version slightly wider where required.

[Liam Arcadia]

Now I dress in a rockabilly sense 1950s rock and roll.
is there not one place in the world that sells normal hard wearing high waisted trousers at a reasonable price?
and High waisted jeans seam to be impossible also.

All the best
~Rant over

Liam

[bicyclebuilder]

...Or you can give up on fashion and buy nothing but training slacks and t-shirts.

About gym bodies as Argus mentioned: I remember an old class mate that just started body building. His attire was mainly "Australian" training slacks and "gorillawear" shirts. Gorillawear is designed for body builders. When you just start body building it looks like you are wearing your grandmothers muumuu. 

[zilegil]

I've always had a nightmare trying to find things long enough, even in the age of trim clothing. It seems I have a freakishly long thin body. At least things can be taken in.

Many female friends have complained extensively about women's sizing only being flattering to people who have near to no body, insensitively making people feel insecure about their body size. It's quite horrid of them. Sadly it's hard to adapt things to be larger.

At least we don't have overly padded shoulders on jackets like the 80s cliche.

[frances]

However, padded shoulders happen to suit my body shape.

[DarkFlights]

I was so lucky, just a couple of days ago I found a beautiful grey ladies waistcoat in a charity shop, that actually fits! Such a rarity. Being a UK size 20, and only five feet two inches tall, it can be very hard to find off-the-shelf clothing to fit (yes, my waist measurement is much larger than my leg measurement!). Like others here, I've found that having some basic tailoring skills and a sewing machine to be very useful (not just for size adjustments, but also for steaming up regular clothing).

[bicyclebuilder]

The fact that most formal wear have to fit perfectly, makes it difficult for most people to buy off the rack. Either you have to have it tailor made or altered. Or you just have to get lucky and find one that suits you.

The sizing on clothes is a guideline, not exact science.

[Capt. Dirigible]

If the waistcoat has a silk back rather than velvet it should be a relatively simple matter to replace the back piece with a version slightly wider where required

I've had a couple of waistcoats purchased from retro/second hand clothes shops that are just a tad too tight but there's a smashing seamstress in my local dry cleaners who has, on both occasions, put a silk panel a few inches wide in the back and made them a perfect fit.

[IGetPwnedOften]

I had to laugh at an item I saw on ebay that purported to be XXXL and when I checked their size chart, XXXL was a 42" chest...

[Heckler]

I had to laugh at an item I saw on ebay that purported to be XXXL and when I checked their size chart, XXXL was a 42" chest...

There is a vendor on Ebay who sells direct from Hong Kong and makes a point of saying everything is 'Asian sized'.  I almost bought a waistcoat in medium until I realised I would've wound up with an attractive double breasted tea cosy.

[Clym Angus]

People may say my choice of combat trousers "isn't very steampunk" but on the plus side, apart from all the pockets (which I use religiously) I do find myself quite immune to the entire "measurement as a vanity" issue. I appreciate the no nonsense approach of military and police issue clothing.

None of this "does my paunch/bum/etc look big in this" twaddle. Its all can I run, can I soldier and does the blood wash out? I may be far from having the guts and strength to be a military man. But by god sir, I can stand with and appreciate the purity of the clothing ethic.

As for waist coats. I accept that my frame is unusual and most off the peg items require some needling. Time consuming, yet a skill I have a small measure of ability in with inevitably pleasing results.

[HPFlashman]

Try to find anything in 52L.