How To Know What Size Leather Jacket To Get

April 01, 2019 8 min read

by Sarah Makhluf

Sarah is a freelance content writer from Boston, MA. She loves traveling, fashion, and the embankment.

Are you lot shopping for your first leather jacket? So much goes into choosing the right leather jacket, what color to become and which mode volition look best on you, merely what might be the most of import is the fit. Remember: yous article of clothing clothes, the clothes don't habiliment you. A leather jacket is a timeless piece of clothing and should exist a one-time investment, but if it doesn't fit properly, it'south like money down the drain. Your jacket should fit like a glove and expect like it was tailored only for you. Follow this guide to aid you with your shopping journey and be rest assured, that perfect leather jacket is out there waiting for you.

What will yous observe:

How to start looking for your first leather jacket
Where to buy leather jackets
How to guide on sizing and measurements
How have the fit of leather jackets evolved over the years

Where to begin?

Let'southward begin with choosing which style volition look best on yous. With no shortage of leather jacket styles to chose from, how do you know which one will suit you all-time? From classic styles to more mod ones, picking the right 1 for your body type can be overwhelming. Below are the top iii well-nigh mutual leather jacket styles. Follow this easy guide to observe your best fit.

The double rider - Made famous past Marlon Brando, the double rider has that "bad boy" vibe we know and love nearly a good leather jacket. This jacket should hit you right at your waist, making it an excellent pick for those who are tall or brusque. Just exist certain to get your correct size, so it hits you in the correct place.

The bomber - The waist length leather glaze was initially manufactured for flight crew members and is one of the almost mutual styles today. This jacket is best for those who want to keep warm, and the all-time function is that they wait groovy on any torso type. However, if you lot are looking for something that is slimming, this style isn't for y'all. Usually, bomber jackets don't hug your body like the other styles on this list and go out yous with extra room to layer underneath.

The racer- This one is the dressiest of all the options due to its sleek and minimal design. Those who want a slim fit on their leather jackets should consider the racer. This jacket is made to fit somewhat tight and does not exit much infinite between you and your jacket.

What to consider when buying leather?

Expert quality leather will take that specific scent and feel we all know and honey. In that location is goose egg like that sugariness natural aroma of a good leather jacket. Utilize your olfactory organ to test the quality; if a jacket has a plastic or artificial fragrance to it, I would steer articulate. Your new jacket should have a scrap of stretch to it, and ultimately leather jackets are supposed to be comfortable. Your jacket should accept a chip of stretch to it, and it will actually go more comfy over time. Simply similar breaking in a new pair of shoes, you need to exercise the aforementioned with your leather jacket. When it comes to choosing the correct quality for y'all in that location are a few things to remember, always expect at the blazon of leather and check what the grade is. Follow this easy guide for the 3 near common leather grades:

Full-grain leather- Full-grain is at the top of the list, this leather undergoes the least corporeality of processing, pregnant the leather has not been sanded down or buffed. However, top quality comes at a high cost; total-grain is the almost expensive form money can purchase.
Pinnacle grain leather- Coming in second is superlative grain leather. The top layer of this leather has been altered to arrive await smooth and uniform. Nigh of the leather jackets you find on the marketplace today are comprised of top grain.
Genuine leather -Genuine leather is a term used for all kinds of leather goods. This one tin can be a bit tricky because whatever "existent" leather can autumn under the 18-carat category. Genuine falls at the bottom of the list when it comes to quality, simply that doesn't hateful there are not plenty of great jackets out there, y'all may just have to look a bit harder.

How to choose a make/shop

Shopping can take research, fourth dimension and effort just don't worry; I did it for you lot. I take curated a list of my top favorite leather jacket retailers on the web. There are two things to consider here general vs. custom sizing. Remember, retail jackets are made to fit as many body types as possible, and then if you are having a hard time finding your perfect ane in the store, consider going custom.

Schott NYC - They were the makers of the archetype "double rider" jacket we talked nigh above. Since 1913, Schott NYC has been producing some of the best leather jackets on the market.

Sizes: S- 2XL

Belstaff - Founded in the Great britain in 1924, Belstaff makes finding your perfect jacket a cakewalk. They offering timeless classic leather jackets at exceptional quality.

Sizes: S-4XL

Overland - Established in 1973, and with a apprehensive beginning, Overland is one of the summit leather jacket retailers today. They have a vast variety of styles and leather types to chose from.

Sizes: S-3XL

Benefits of going custom

Are you on the fence about investing in a custom made jacket? Do you retrieve yous will observe your perfect jacket off the rack? Here's what you have to consider: the size, the price, the fit, and how your jacket makes you feel. At the end of the day, if you really desire that unique and perfect fit, going custom is what will give it to you. Something I tin never stress plenty is that a leather jacket should be seen as an investment piece. This is an article of clothing that should last for years to come, no matter of the wear and tear.

Where to buy custom leather jackets

Independence Brothers - The visitor owned by ii brothers provide top quality custom made leather jackets. They realized many of you have outgrown standard sizing and give you the option of having your perfect jacket custom fabricated. Another plus is their customer service; they have pride in providing customers with any help they demand forth the way.

Epaulet Brand- Opening in 2008, the LA-based article of clothing company makes made to order custom leather jackets. They offer iii styles of beautifully crafted custom jackets in a range of different leather types.

How to take your torso measurements

At present that nosotros have gone over styles, where to buy, and what type of leather is all-time for yous. Adjacent is measuring yourself to ensure the perfect fit. If you have an actress ready of hands here, information technology will help, only it'southward not necessary.

What will you need:Just a tape measure

Quick Tip: If you don't have another pair of hands simply use a jacket you lot already own and like the fit of and use that as your guide!

Step 1: Breast - To measure your chest stand upwardly straight and relax your artillery. Then wrap the tape measure out effectually your upper chest area (you lot may need an extra set of hands to help you) and jot downwards the measurement.

Step 2: Shoulder width - The shoulders of your jacket should fit just right, not too tight and not too lose. To do this solo, simply grab a jacket you already know and love the fit of and mensurate from the correct shoulder seam to the left. If you still have your helper have them place the tape measure across your back from one shoulder to the other. Again, write down the number so yous won't forget.

Step 3: Jacket length - Place the record measure at the top of your shoulder (use a t-shirt seam as your beginning point here) so bring the record measure downwardly to the very top of your thigh. Write the number down and proceed onto the final step.

Pace 4: - Sleeve length - Correct sleeve length is crucial when it comes to making your jacket look polished and flawless. Very slightly bend your arm and identify your mitt on your hip, then measure starting at the center back of your neck all along the fashion along your arm to your wrist.

How to find your size (The states)

Height (inch)	Breast width (inch)	US size
65 - 67 67 - 68	36 - 38 38 - 40	Southward M
68 - 69	twoscore - 42	L
69 - 70	42 - 44	Fifty
70 - 71	44 - 45	XL

How should your leather jacket fit and feel?

I think one of the most common mishaps men take when ownership a leather jacket is going too big. While your jacket shouldn't be peel tight, going a size upwardly from your truthful size can brand y'all wait boxy. Make sure your jacket fits a bit snug through your shoulders, and through your chest and waist. If you are in betwixt two sizes, I recommend going with the smaller one because if you are ownership a good quality leather jacket, it will aggrandize over time. Leather jackets can't really be taken it or altered at a tailor, so you want to exist sure you lot get the size right the first time. The sleeves should hitting correct at where your wrist starts to curve, and a quick tip to recollect about the length is to make sure your jacket hits correct about where your belt loops are. So, what to remember? Go for a snug but comfortable fit, don't size upwardly, and e'er know your leather jackets should virtually feel similar a second peel.

How has the iconic black leather jacket inverse over the years?

Leather jackets take been "absurd" for about a century. What other pieces of clothing take stood the test of time as well as archetype leather jackets? Can't remember of anything? Neither can I.

The fit has inverse somewhat over the years and with new technologies in the last century, the options today are almost countless. Modernistic fit jackets have a slimmer cutting and fit closer to the body. The fit y'all should become depends on your body type and what exactly you are buying your leather jacket for? Is this a piece to add together sophistication and class to your wardrobe or are you looking to keep warm in the harsh wintertime months?

Double rider jacket:

Let's take the "double rider" as an example. This jacket's shape is timeless and flattering on a lot of torso types. This jacket is made to hit at your waist, meaning it should hit y'all where your belt loops on your pants or jeans are. The cracking thing about the double rider is that it tin be appropriate for anything if yous are looking to wearing apparel it upwardly finding a slim fit double rider is your all-time option. Slim fit means there will not be a lot of extra fabric, then if you are looking for a jacket to keep warm, I suggest going with a archetype fit so you lot tin can article of clothing another heavy layer underneath. The shoulder seams should hitting you at the point where your shoulder meets your arm, and I can't stress this enough, make certain the sleeves are not too long.

Final thoughts

Thanks then much for reading! I hope this will help guide you in the right management in buying your perfect jacket. I know it can seem like a lot, just taking out the time to measure out and shop volition help you find the right 1. As someone who loves fashion and the history backside it, this was a pleasure for me to write. A swell leather jacket can amp up your wardrobe like nothing else. If yous enjoyed, please leave us a comment beneath and share with your friends and family. Be certain to check out my last links earlier you get for more than mode ideas!

Quick links for more inspiration:

x all-time leather jackets for men

Timeless leather jackets

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