Buying into a leather jacket is a great investment which in turn gives you style, durability, and a life time of use. Also whether you are shopping online at an international store, in for a made to measure piece from a local artisan, or out trying to make heads or tails of different brands’ size charts the main issue at hand is that of fit. A leather jacket is not just a piece of clothing it is a statement, and that statement only truly is put across when the Leather Jacket fits right. A jacket which is too small will stifle movement and look uncomfortable, also one which is too large will appear puffy and formless.
1. Chest Measurement.
The which size fits best is what the chest measurement is for in a leather jacket it also which area of your body it will be the most roomy for.
How to measure the chest: Place the jacket flat on the surface which you are going to do fully outstretched, also see to it that there are no creases. As you can see in the picture, measure straight across the front of the jacket. What you do is start at the seam which is right under one armpit and run the tape until you get to the seam which is under the other armpit. Pay attention how the tape measure is stretched out fully in the picture. It is very important that the tape is tight and that it lay flat against the jacket to avoid errors. What you note down here is your “half chest” measurement. To get the full chest circumference you will have to double this number. For instance if your front cross measurement is 23 inches as is the case in the picture the actual chest size of the jacket is 46 inches. This measurement is what will see to it that the jacket fits well across your chest especially when you are wearing layers.
2. Shoulder Measurement.
Shoulder fit is key to how a jacket looks on you. Poor shoulder fit may present as a jacket that is too large and baggy or too small and constrictive which in turn may reduce arm movement.
How to measure the shoulders: Keep your jacket flat and smooth out the upper back area, as the image shows. We are to measure the jacket’s width across the upper back. Put your measuring tape at the very top of one shoulder seam that is the point where the sleeve sewing meets the main body of the jacket. Run the tape straight across the back to the exact same point on the other shoulder seam. This gives you your precise “shoulder to shoulder” measurement which should agree with your own shoulder width for a great fit that drapes well.
3. Sleeve Measurement.
Sleeve length is very important for comfort and appearance. Too short sleeves which expose your wrists make a jacket look small scale, also very long sleeves which bunch up at the wrist are out.
How to measure the sleeves: As you have the jacket flat out, take your tape measure and at the top put the end at the shoulder seam which is the same point as before. Also see the picture which shows you to measure straight down the outer edge of the sleeve along the full length of the cuff. It is very important to fully extend and flat out the sleeve as you measure to get an accurate true length. This will determine if the sleeve hits at your wrist bone or just below which in turn gives you the look and feel you want.
4. Waist Measurement.
For a lot of leather jacket designs which includes bombers, fitted blazers and those with a slim fit the waist measurement is the key to a great looking jacket that doesn’t look too boxy.
How to measure the waist: Make sure the jacket is fully zipped up or buttoned and laid out flat. At the waist which is the tend to be the narrowest part of the jacket usually a few inches above the bottom hem. As in the image measure straight across this narrowest point from one side seam to the other. Like the chest which we took the “half胸 circumference’ measurement for the full waist circumference you must double this figure. This measurement is key in determining how well the jacket fits around your midsection especially if it has a belt or elastic ribbing.
5. Bottom Measurement.
The base measurement (at times referred to as the “hem” or “sweep” which you note is of the issue of how the jacket fits at your hips or waist. For some fitted jackets which hug the hip line this is very important.
How to measure the bottom: Lay out the jacket flat and press it smooth, make sure the bottom hem is perfectly straight. As you can see in the picture, measure straight across the full bottom edge (hem) of the jacket which is from one side seam to the other. Also this is a half measurement which you will have to double for the full bottom circumference. This is a very important measurement for styles like bomber jackets or which have elastic waists to make sure it fits comfortably around your hips and doesn’t feel too tight when fully closed.
6. Back Measurement.
The length at the back which is the determining factor for how the jacket will present on your body which in turn influences the style (i.e. short biker style vs. long trench coat) and coverage.
How to measure the back length: Turn the jacket inside out so that the back is front and see to it that it is lying out very flat and smooth. As is clearly seen in the image place the end of your measuring tape at the top of the jacket at the base of the collar that is the seam which the collar stitching makes with the main body of the jacket. Measure straight down the exact center of the back, all the way to the bottom edge of the jacket hem. This is a single full measurement which gives you the true vertical length of the garment and determines where the jacket will fall on your tor so.
Putting Your Measurements to Use: Against Size Charts.
Don’t just go off S, M, L; use the actual numbers from the size chart. For layering which is common, add an inch or two to your chest and waist measures if you are to wear thick sweaters. Also it is to be known there is a manufacturing tolerance of.5 to 1 inch which may play a role. Do check out what other customers had to say about fit as this will give you better context. Don’t rush the process, re measure if in doubt and don’t hesitate to ask the seller. By doing these exact measurements you step away from the guess work and put yourself in the position to choose a leather jacket that fits like it was made for you. This level of detail in the selection process sees to it your purchase not only looks great but is also very comfortable for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: If I don’t own a jacket that fits well, should I measure my body directly instead?
A: Yes I suppose if you don’t have a reference jacket to work with you will have to measure your body directly. Also bear in which you must add an extra 2 to 4 inches to the measurements in your body, in particular the chest and waist, to make sure the jacket is comfortable to wear and allows for movement.
Q2: What is the most important thing I should check when looking at a size chart?
A: Of what is important is that you check the numerical measurements of the garment (like 44 inch chest, 18 inch shoulder) which you can find in the product description, instead of depending only on the generic size labels (S, M, L). Also it is very much the case that what a brand’s ‘Medium’ is can vary greatly so the numbers are the best indicator of what will fit.
Q3: What should I do if my measurements fall exactly between two sizes on the chart?
A: If your measurements are in between two sizes, which choice you make will depend on your preference and what you are looking for. For a tight, current fit, choose the smaller size. But, if you are after more comfort, or plan to layer sweaters with that piece always choose the larger one. As a general rule, I recommend going up a size in case it needs to be modified at all — it can usually be brought in, but not let out very easily.
Q4: Which part of the leather jacket is the most critical for proper fitting?
A: The Shoulders are the key element for a proper fit in a leather jacket. If the shoulders do not fit right the whole piece will look amiss and will also restrict arm movement. As for the shoulders, the Chest measurement is the next in importance.