Been seeing a lot of people mess up the armhole drop on casual jackets

I was at a local maker fair in Portland last month and kept seeing cool jacket designs with the armholes cut way too low. It makes the whole thing look boxy and messes with how the shoulder sits. I learned the hard way on my first three tries that dropping it even half an inch lower than your block pattern ruins the clean line. What's your go-to method for getting that fit right without making it too tight?

4 comments

4 Comments

gracethomas1d agoTop Commenter

Honestly, I've had better luck with a lower armhole on my chore coat patterns. That extra inch of drop from my sloper gives way more room for layering a thick hoodie underneath, which is the whole point of a casual jacket for me. A super high armhole might look sleek on a dress form, but it feels restrictive in real life. I'd rather have a little extra fabric under my arm than feel like I can't move.

ivan_harris1d ago

Remember a lower armhole also means more fabric bunching when you raise your arms.

ryant501d ago

My old work jacket had a low armhole and I wore it for years. The bunching was real when I reached up, but I got used to it. The freedom to layer a fleece underneath mattered more to me than a perfect fit. I just needed a coat that worked for my day, not one that looked perfect standing still. That extra room made it useful.

eric_adams111d ago

Totally agree, that extra room for layers is key. @ivan_harris has a point about bunching, but a tiny bit of extra fabric is a fair trade for actually being able to move, right? Who wants a jacket that only looks good on a hanger?