I recently bought a Horsehide Peacoat from them. I gave Stuart my measurements and weight and he suggested the size of peacoat for my build. I went with what he suggested and I have to say it is the best fitting jacket I have ever purchased. I have nothing but great things to say about the quality, fitment, and Stuart's professional attitude.
I had a LW Ryder (not the Easy Ryder, the Ryder is a half-belt) in size 40. Not sure if it will help, but the measurements were as follows:
18 3/8-in Shoulder
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I've purchased 5 different LW jackets over the years; Stuart was always a consummate professional on the phone and in his prompt, concise replies to my e-mails. I gave him my height and weight and afew other simple measurements and he recommended a certain sized jacket. The jacket always fit exactly as I anticipated and the quality of the leather was simply the best! Just my 2 cents based on my own personal experiences with LW.
I have often wondered if "detailed measurements" really help when a simple chest measurement causes so many problems. My chest size is exactly 38 and I wear size 38 suits. I just bought and received today a size 34 LW A-2 and it fits pretty well (with just enough room as a well-fitted A-2 should be). I own a size 36 ANJ-4 by Aero and it is a bit loose. I also wear a size 36 Lewis leather Europa which is a tailored fit for me as any biker jacket should be but when I tried on a size 36 Lightning today, it was too tight. It is therefore very common for ppl to return and exchange even with custom orders and that's the way this industry operates. I guess that creates the kind of take it or leave it, or rather keep it or return it attitude.
I'm in the same case as nabottle. I gave my measurements, height and weight. Stuart suggested a size and it's a perfect fit.
how does he get the sleeves right w/only someones height and weight to go by?
Lol, I get what you're saying but I guess I have not made myself clear in the end. I am trying to point out that if you can't trust the tag the COMPANY put on the jacket, how can you trust the "detailed measurements" e.g. pit-to-pit the same COMPANY gives you. So either you trust them enough to give you the right jacket in which case, you just give them your "detailed measurements" in stead of asking them what the measurements are on the jacket.The issue is that measurements you mention are just chest sizes. A detailed measurement would enable you to gauge if the jacket is going to fit regardless of what size is on the jacket. I'm still new to leather jackets, but have bought dozens of sportcoats, suits, and outerwear. I find that a pit to pit of 21.5 - 22.5 is what works for me, regardless of the tagged size. There are some variances (like a plain back vs an action back), but pit to pit measurements are very handy. have an Aero LHB in size 38 and a 1930's HB in size 40 - same pit to pit on both jackets.
No issue with LW or Stuart. He was very helpful to me and I couldn't find a single stitch out of place on his jacket.
I don't know how Stuart does it. All I gave him was my height and weight, that was it!
A couple of weeks later I received my leather Pea Coat. It was perfect. I guess he has been doing this for so many years that his experience in his product and production process is very good.
Dave
Thanks. I KNOW it's the right size because Stuart sent out a 38 Russet Horsehide (pictured) and it was too small. I sent the pic to LW showing where it pinched. P.S. This "daytime" pic shows truer colors. That's the color of rust knits and LW Russet Horsehide looks like a milk chocolate Hershey Bar.
Arm's length is generally proportional to height. That's like your average off-the-shelf jacket, it will fit but not "tailored" fit.