Extending a RD2 Shell Coat?

[Monkehbase]

So I have a nice authentic EAC RDII Shell coat that is a little short of me and I was wondering if I could buy EAC and extend it?

 

[RedRover]

So I have a nice authentic EAC RDII Shell coat that is a little short of me and I was wondering if I could buy EAC and extend it?

Short jackets weren't odd. Confederate veteran Mr. G.H. Baskette says jackets too short was pretty standard...

Illustrations by Confederate veterans:

Perhaps it would just be easier to hike up the trousers with suspenders, or perhaps a new pair with the higher "rise" on the body if necessary. Or just let the shirt-tail fly some as noted.

 

[captaindrew]

I have to ask, are you wearing your trousers where they were meant to be? Should be up to your naval, that's the natural waist and were period trousers should be worn. And that's about where a properly made RD shell jacket should stop. It really looks silly if you try it on with modern jeans/pants that we wear much lower these days.

 

[RetiredCanuck]

Adding a band to lengthen the jacket will ruin it IMHO. You'll be unlikely to match the fabric well enough to make it match. And it's not something troops could or would do in the field.
Couple hints maybe? The biggest issue with a short length is that the bottom will not stay inside the waist belt. Perhaps if you put your gear on over your shirt first and put the jacket overtop it will help? You can leave most of the bottom buttons undone as well.
It's handy if you get hot on a march because you can take it off quickly.
You could also add a longer vest underneath to smooth the transition from the waistline of your trousers.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

A jacket that doesn't fit is period accurate. Issue clothing came in 3 sizes and you got the first jacket on the pile that would button. It could fit you like a tent or you could look like an overstuffed sausage, if it buttoned it fit.
Also these were made to fit an average soldier. On average they stood between about 5'4" and 5'8" I believe. If you were much beyond those margins in either direction your jacket was going to be the wrong length no matter what. Even if it fit well in the chest.

 

[iron bender]

Had a buddy who was in 1/7 Cav in 1970. He said being the last guys out of the field to draw new clothes sucked. You got pants that hugged you like tights and a shirt that was a tent. Or vice/versa. Ill-fitting gear is part of the impression/accuracy. Makes for a good look in my opinion

 

[rebracer]

if you are 6' tall or taller, a short jacket is actually very accurate and was not uncommon to have clothing too small or too large. We have to remember that alot of reproduction gear that is made to the period correct dimensions is now and would have been in the 1860s too short on a taller man but he would have carried it/worn it anyway. Its also a myth that everyone was tiny then (they were not 200 + lbs either but that is a different discussion). Yes the average man was shorter but there were still plenty of 6 feet and taller men. We spend so much money on clothing and equipment that we want it all fitting perfectly and properly tailored to our bodies, but issued gear was not that way.

 

[DoctorKingSchultz]

So I have a nice authentic EAC RDII Shell coat that is a little short of me and I was wondering if I could buy EAC and extend it?

Tailor here - The only real way to do this is to add portions to the pieces of the coat, and naturally, new seams (effectively making a waistband seam, making it a frock coat... or the more unthinkable option, entirely removing the short pieces and replacing them with the "right" size, from the same or a very similar fabric... at which point it becomes the coat of Theseus.

 

[rebracer]

Tailor here - The only real way to do this is to add portions to the pieces of the coat, and naturally, new seams (effectively making a waistband seam, making it a frock coat... or the more unthinkable option, entirely removing the short pieces and replacing them with the "right" size, from the same or a very similar fabric... at which point it becomes the coat of Theseus.

Im glad you mention this in details I really think its the final word here. No soldier would have gone through that process in the field, he would have put that energy into finding another jacket, exchanging with someone else or just wearing a short jacket until it wore out, was lost or could be replaced. Again if our OP is a taller man, I really think the short jacket would be a good compliment to his impression. I know its annoying as I say this as an Owner of a Columbus Depot jacket that I think is too short on my 6 foot frame, but I got it used and just treat it as "this is just what I was issued".

 

[DoctorKingSchultz]

Im glad you mention this in details I really think its the final word here. No soldier would have gone through that process in the field, he would have put that energy into finding another jacket, exchanging with someone else or just wearing a short jacket until it wore out, was lost or could be replaced. Again if our OP is a taller man, I really think the short jacket would be a good compliment to his impression. I know its annoying as I say this as an Owner of a Columbus Depot jacket that I think is too short on my 6 foot frame, but I got it used and just treat it as "this is just what I was issued".

Right, exactly. I concur with your original post. While it can be inaccurate and lazy under many contexts to just say "poor fitting is accurate", this is one of the most perfect examples of where it is the reality, really. It's a government issued shell, countless examples of images of them (and likewise all manner of Union) that do not fit perfectly, and a shell especially will be noticeable if it's a bit short.

I myself am in the 5'10-6' range, have the same issues with uniform especially with sleeves.

Moreover something generally - what he's asking is almost impossible in normal circumstances to alter; one option is more or less just turning it into what looks like a cut-off frock coat, for this alteration you would have to entirely remove the foreparts of the coat (which also means reconstructing the padstitched canvas attached to the forepart too, interlining and/or anything else - essentially re-making the whole front) and really, the back too... all the while of course, having the exact same coat fabric to do so, or something very close for it to look right at all.

This is also why, whether it is 400 years ago, 160 or today you always cut things too big rather than too small - you can always cut down seams if their allowance is too big, re-stitch sleeves if they are too long the first time you sew them etc... but if that sleeve is too small? There is no lengthening them unless you added some (rather odd..) seams at the top for your extension, you could potentially make a false cuff and lengthen it if done very well, and most likely you'll have to make new sleeves.

I mean no disrespect to the OP but it might be a useful comparison to say, this is a bit like asking to turn shorts into trousers.. you can do it, but either you will have weird looking seams where your extensions are, or almost all of the main, definitive pieces will need replacing, with the same fabric.. which would be infinitely more hassle than just making or buying new trousers. Meanwhile, trousers to shorts is far easier, almost amateur work. (Likewise would shortening the Shell's length.) With the frock coat comparison - likewise if you lengthened it, which would be easier to do as just the skirt would be replaced in most circumstances, you would still have the dodgy business of procuring as exact fabric as possible, which may not be an option. All of these examples can be done, but what the guy is asking for is more akin to restoration work put on heavily damaged original pieces in museums and collections; might as well buy a second coat.