Coat and jacket fit: How much shoulder restriction? PICS ADDED

Today I received my Nordstrom order, including the Gallery trench Angie recommended in the post listing her Nordstrom Sale picks. I love the color, and it seems to fit well just about everywhere, except *possibly* the shoulders. My question is about how coats/jackets should fit in the shoulders. I always stretch my arms straight in front of me and then raise them as high as I can above my head to test the fit of coats, jackets, and tops (particularly woven tops or those with no stretch). I am rather broad through the shoulders for my size, and seem to always have a little tightness through the shoulders/around the arms when I stretch above or in front. Is that normal? Or should one have full range of motion if an item fits correctly? How much tightness will you tolerate?

PICS ADDED: I am wearing the trench over two lightweight layers. I probably wouldn't ever be wearing more bulk under the coat than I am here. The third pic below shows the back view when I hold my arms straight out in front.

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15 years ago

Tiina

Active Member

I think the main question is whether you feel comfortable in it or not. A little tightness should be fine (as long as you can still move and reach out and grab stuff); or does it pull too much? I usually put several layers under my coats and jackets (the winters here are rather cold) so they have to be a bit larger for that reason alone.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Hmmm. Picture perhaps, Becky?

catgirl

Veteran

I really do not like any tightness in the shoulders, and back especially with jackets and coats that may have varying thickness of layers underneath. Not only is it uncomfortable but I live in fear of a ripped lining.

Sadly, this is one of the reasons (as an inverted triangle) I end up buying clothes larger than I really want.

MNsara

I hear you, Becky! I have broader shoulders and larger biceps for my size and am so tired of feeling constrained in jackets/coats/shirts/anything not stretch!

I hold my arms in driving position to make sure I don't feel impeded (or annoyed). If things are too tight, I worry about pulling the fabric apart at the back of the sleeves if the strain is too much.

AG - yup, this is the very reason lots of my tops and jackets are too big too. . .

April

Becky, all I can tell you is that every time I have a jacket that doesn't feel constricting in the shoulders, the YLF crew tells me it's too big. I tolerate more tightness in that area than I want to because I trust the judgment around here as to how things look, but man -- how I would love a jacket that gave me a generous amount of room to move...

Velma

I am narrow in the shoulders and small-busted, so this question has literally never occurred to me. I have never found a jacket that is long enough in the sleeves and body (I am 5'9") that constricts at all around the shoulders. My problem is often the opposite: shoulder seams that dip off my real shoulders and too much room in the bust. Ah, fitting challenges . . .

Thanks for the pics, Becky!

Oh my goodness. KILLER colour.

Apart from the sleeve length, this fits beautifully. Are you happy with the layers underneath and can you drive in this trench?

taylor

I like things a tad snug when it comes to jackets and coats. this looks like a nice fit.

greenglove

I am another one who likes things to fit a bit snug. I can get lost in things even slightly too large. The coat fits you beautifully. If you are comfy- keep that size. I think sizing up would not be nearly as flattering.

Maya

I'm with Taylor and Jean. How many times are you going to reach your arms as high as you can straight above your head...?

Patience

The coat looks perfect to me, Becky.

I have the same shoulder issue. I always go with the smaller size and I guess I have a pretty high tolerance although I still have plenty of range of motion. I have discovered that living in a warm climate means that it is quite a shock to go from sleeveless to jackets. But I think this also means that I adjust over time to feeling less restricted. I did find a couple of jackets this year that seem much more comfy, but I think they are just boxier styles and my chest is fuller this year.

Edit: I forgot to add that despite having a strong shoulder line, I'm kind of on the smaller size of things stature wise. So wearing the larger size often just overwhelms me. Maybe if I was taller, it would be easier. The strong shoulder line is one reason I can't really wear petites.

That purple is pretty on you! The first thing that I noticed was the sleeves seemed a bit long. It does look like it fits fine everywhere else.

shana

Becky, I have the same problem and I am learning to tolerate a bit of shoulder restriction for the looks This coat looks so good on you in this size. If you went to the next bigger size, it would positively engulf you. The purple color is awesome!

crwilson

I think it depends on how much the tightness is going to annoy you. Yes, it's unlikely that you're going to have to reach high above your head, but if it's even a little uncomfortable for normal activities, like driving or lifting things, I can't stand it. It makes me angry every time I want to move my arms. So, I think you just have to know yourself well enough to discern whether you're going to be uncomfortable enough to avoid the coat.

Comfort aside, the color looks beautiful on you, and the fit looks great.

Becky

Thanks, everyone, for your feedback. I think that I, too, am slowly learning to tolerate more shoulder restriction in order to achieve a better overall fit, but I don't have to like it! I'm going to put on the trench and go sit in the car to see how it feels with my hands on the wheel. I will also have to find out how much it will cost me to have the sleeves shortened. I have found a better tailor here, though she is pricey. Has Angie written a blog post on correct coat/jacket sleeve length? I 'll have to check.

Lisa

I'm broad and often find jackets and sweaters can be tight across the back or around the bicep shoulder area. The tell tale signs for me are: is the material hugging the bicep and is there pullling around the armpits. I don't see either issue here and vote keep. That color is amazing on you by the way.

Anonymous

I'm crazy, I would go even smaller than that:) I don't mind feeling as if I'm on a straight jacket...
I think the trench looks just right, size wise, apart from the sleeve length.

Here's a blog post on coat fit: http://youlookfab.com/2009/11/.....it-a-coat/

Angie states, "I like coat sleeves to end an inch over my wrist bone for extra cozy coverage." Do you take that to mean *above* the wrist bone, or *below* the wrist bone? I'm assuming below, because I would consider above to be way too short, but then I'm used to having all sleeves be very, very long on me!

BELOW the wrist bone towards your finger tips!

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