Leather behaves differently from cotton or wool. It moulds to your shape over time, but it will not stretch much to begin with, and it cannot be taken in or let out easily. That makes getting the size right before you order more important than with most clothes. The good news is that a few minutes with a tape measure is all it takes.
What you need
A soft tape measure (the sewing kind, not a metal one) and a friend if possible. Measure over a thin T-shirt, not over a jumper or a coat, and stand relaxed with your arms by your sides. Keep the tape snug but not tight.
A soft tape, a pencil and a few minutes are enough.
The measurements that matter
- Chest: wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms and across your shoulder blades. This is the most important number.
- Shoulder: measure straight across your back from the edge of one shoulder to the other. The tape should lie flat.
- Sleeve: from the edge of your shoulder, down your slightly bent arm, to your wrist bone.
- Natural waist: around the narrowest part of your torso, usually just above the belly button.
- Hips: around the fullest part of your hips. This matters for longer jackets and for women's cuts.
- Height: without shoes, so the length of the jacket sits where it should.
How a leather jacket should fit
- Shoulders: the seam should sit at the edge of your shoulder, not hanging down your arm or pulling up towards your neck.
- Chest: snug but not tight. You should be able to zip it up and move your arms forward without strain, with room for a thin knit underneath.
- Sleeves: they should end around the wrist bone. Leather sleeves tend to ride up a little when you bend your arms, so slightly long is better than short.
- Length: most styles end around the belt line. Shorter cuts sit at the waist, longer coats fall to mid-thigh.
Between two sizes?
If you are between sizes, think about how you will wear it. Planning to layer a jumper underneath in winter? Go up a size. Want a close, sharp fit over a T-shirt? Stay with the smaller one. Remember that leather relaxes a little with wear, particularly across the back and elbows, so a jacket that feels just snug on day one often feels right after a few weeks.
When a standard size will not do
If your shoulders are broad but your waist is narrow, if you are very tall or short, or if you simply want a jacket cut exactly to you, standard sizes can fall short. That is what made to measure is for. Many of our jackets can be ordered with your own measurements, and our Design Your Own page lets you send us your chest, shoulder, sleeve, waist and height along with photos of the jacket you want, and we will send you a quote. We also offer 30-day returns on standard orders, so you can try with confidence.
When you are ready, browse men's jackets or women's jackets. For caring for the fit once it is yours, read how to care for a leather jacket.
