I don't know anything about sewing or materials, but my mother who has been sewing for years, said this vest is well made for its price. She said there are some things on it that take would time to make and it is not just shoddily thrown together.

The tie is long and should accommodate any average person's height well enough, especially since it has a vest to go underneath. I am 6'2" and the vest is just long enough to reach my belt line.

As far as measuring the chest, I might recommend getting a size that matches you exactly. (Unless the vest height goes down with the size?) My other vest is a small, so I decided to order this in a small despite the fact that I measured my chest and the small size had a couple inches on me. I thought, "Whatever, I'll be wearing a couple shirts and a tie underneath, it should bulk me up." But now, I am wishing I had gotten the extra small to fit my measurements precisely. The vest is just a tiny bit baggy.

HOWEVER, there is a pull-ribbon thing in the back of the vest to cinch it up, so if it is too big, that will tighten it to fit, so if you want to play it safe and get a size up from your measurements, it can work. I'm just not sure if the vest height gets shorter with the smaller sizes.

All-in-all, it is a decent affordable vest for occasions and my mom was able to take it in so it fits well now. I wouldn't be opposed to buying another one if I needed it.