Who doesn’t appreciate a well-fitting jacket?
We sure do. And we have a hunch you do, too.
Jackets are a staple in anybody’s wardrobe. Despite this, people getting mismatched sizes is a shockingly common occurrence.
In this article, we’ll reveal the most effective way to measure a jacket and avoid sizing-related headaches.
How to measure a jacket:
Rulebook for a proper fit
If you’ve read some of our other guides, you might know the preparation basics:
You should lay the jacket flat on a stable, even surface. In our experience, floors or bigger wooden tables work best.
The jacket must be wrinkle-free and buttoned up. Lastly, always use a soft measuring tape (cloth or paper is the most optimal choice).
How to take the chest measurement of a jacket
Measure the jacket from armpit to armpit, running the tape across the chest area. Double the resulting measurement if you want to get the total chest circumference.
Here’s a very important tip that people miss out on:
If you want the jacket to fit properly, the jacket’s chest measurement should be at least 2.5-3 inches (6-8 cm) larger than a person’s chest.
Why?
Jackets are regularly used as outerwear. Especially during autumn and winter, you’d have another layer (sweater, blouse, etc.) underneath. Leaving some extra inches/centimeters guarantees comfort.
How to take the waist measurement of a jacket
With the jacket buttoned up and laid flat, measure across its narrowest part. In most cases, this would be around 15.7 inches (~40 cm) below the highest shoulder point of the jacket.
Here’s some visual help for locating the exact point:
Double the measurement to get the total waist circumference.
Much like the jacket’s chest, we recommend you give the waist some ease too. For the best fit, the jacket’s waist should be at least 2-3 inches (4-6 cm) larger than the person’s actual waist measurements. It’s all to accommodate any layers you’d wear underneath.
How to measure jacket sleeve length
As usual, place the jacket flat on a horizontal surface. Extend the sleeves, running the measuring tape from the shoulder seam to the end of the cuff.
Pay attention that the sleeve extends to the base of the thumb. It should cover the wrist and end where the palm begins – only then will the jacket sleeve fit properly.
How to measure jacket shoulder width
The last of the “big four” measurements is the shoulders. With the jacket flat and free of any wrinkles, do the following:
- Locate the shoulder seams: This is the point where the sleeves intersect with the jacket’s body.
- Measure between: Keep the tape straight when measuring the distance from one shoulder seam to the other.
- Record the result: We recommend you do it in both inches and centimeters.
How to measure the overall jacket length
Grab the measuring tape. Identify the highest shoulder point of the coat. That would be the seam where the collar meets the shoulder.
Keep the tape straight and measure from the highest shoulder point all the way down to the bottom of the jacket.
Finding a jacket that fits:
Matching your measurements to the jacket’s size
Like many people nowadays, you might be shopping online. Here are a few steps that will make your hunt for a new jacket easier.
The chest
Wrap the measuring tape around the widest part of your chest. In general, this should be the area just under your armpits and across your shoulder blade.
Our main tip: Keep the measuring tape parallel to the floor. When you wrap it around your chest, see that it fits snugly and doesn’t constrict you in any way.
For a great fit, add 2.5-3 inches (6-8 cm) to your chest measurement. This will give you the ideal jacket circumference for maximum comfort and style. You want to have some extra inches for the layers you’ll wear under your jacket. Again, you don’t want things to be too tight and uncomfortable.
The shoulders
Measure from the tip of your shoulder (where the shoulder seam is) across to your other shoulder’s tip. Keep the measuring tape perfectly horizontal so you don’t shorten the measurements by an inch or two.
Our main tip: You need to stand straight and relax your body. Additionally, the shoulders can be tricky to DIY – getting some help from friends/family will make things way more convenient.
The sleeves
Put the measuring tape at the outer edge of the shoulder where it meets the arm. Then extend the tape down to where the elbow is. Continue all the way down to your wrist, where the palm begins.
Our main tip: More of a must, actually. You should bend your arm slightly for a more natural fit. Not bending your arm guarantees you’ll get the sleeves wrong.
The waist
Here you want to run the measuring tape around the narrowest part of your waist. Typically, this point is located just above your belly button (and below the bottom of your ribcage).
Our main tip: Breathe normally! Inhaling or exhaling too much will negatively affect the measurement, so stay relaxed. The measuring tape should also be comfortable around your waist – not too constricting, not too lax.
Body (torso) length
Glide the measuring tape from the highest shoulder point to the approximate area where the jacket would end. This could be anywhere really, depending on your style and preferences.
Our main tip: Once again you should stand straight, assuming a natural posture. Don’t slouch.
How to find the right jacket size:
A reliable assistant
You might have followed all the steps we outlined and done your best…
…yet you’re still out there, troubled and frustrated with finding a jacket that simply fits.
Imagine the following situation:
You fall in love with a loose-fit jacket. It’s labeled as a Large size. You also take a liking to a fitted elegant jacket. You realize it late, but here you should’ve gone up a size or two.
Online shopping can be hell, right?
That’s why we created Size Sense. Our size recommendation tool takes into account individual body measurements, the clothing’s measurements, and fabric elasticity. We’re also mindful of clothing design and personal preferences.
In short, Size Sense drastically improves over existing solutions. Our algorithms help both fashion brands and customers, boasting an impressive 94% accuracy in predicting garment fit.
Check out Size Sense on the Shopify App Store and experience the full range of benefits it offers you.
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