How Should a Leather Jacket Fit? Men's & Women's Size Guide
A leather jacket that fits well looks sharp for years. One that is slightly wrong in the shoulders or sleeves never quite looks right, however good the leather. Because real leather has very little give, getting the size right before you order matters far more than it does with a cotton jacket or a knit.
This guide explains exactly how a leather jacket should fit, how to measure yourself at home, and how to choose between sizes in our XXS to 5XL range for men and women.
How should a leather jacket fit? The short answer
A leather jacket should feel snug but not restrictive. The shoulder seams should sit at the edge of your shoulders, the sleeves should reach your wrist bone, you should be able to zip or button it over a T-shirt or thin knit without strain, and you should be able to reach forward or lift your arms without the back pulling tight.
The five fit checkpoints
1. Shoulders
This is the most important point because it is the hardest thing to alter. The shoulder seam should land at the natural edge of your shoulder, where the bone turns down into the arm. If the seam hangs down onto your upper arm, the jacket is too big; if it pulls in towards your neck, it is too small.
2. Chest and bust
Fastened, the jacket should lie flat across the chest without the zip rippling or buttons pulling. As a rule of thumb, you should be able to slide a flat hand inside comfortably. Biker jackets are designed to sit closer than bomber jackets or coats.
3. Sleeve length
With your arms relaxed by your sides, the cuff should reach roughly your wrist bone. Reach forward as if holding a steering wheel; the cuff should not ride far up your forearm. Ribbed or zipped cuffs give a little extra flexibility here.
4. Body length
Most biker, bomber and shirt jackets should finish around your belt or the top of your hips. Shearling jackets and coats are deliberately longer, from mid-thigh to full length, so check the product description for the length.
5. Movement
Cross your arms, reach overhead and sit down. A good fit lets you do all three without the hem riding up dramatically or the back seam straining.
How to measure yourself for a leather jacket
You only need a soft tape measure. Measure over the kind of layer you usually wear under a jacket, such as a T-shirt or thin shirt, and keep the tape level and close but not tight.
- Chest / bust: around the fullest part, under the arms.
- Waist: around your natural waistline, the narrowest part of the torso.
- Hip (women's sizing): around the fullest part, roughly 20 cm (8 in) below the waist.
- Sleeve: from the centre back of the neck, across the shoulder and down to the wrist, with your arm slightly bent.
These are body measurements, not garment measurements. Each jacket is cut with the ease appropriate to its style, so you compare your body numbers with our chart rather than measuring an old jacket.
Men's leather jacket sizes (XXS–5XL)
Here is how our men's chest measurements map to sizes. Full waist and sleeve figures, in inches and centimetres, are on our size guide.
| Size | Chest (in) | Chest (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| XXS | 32–33 | 81–84 |
| XS | 34–35 | 86–89 |
| S | 36–37 | 91–94 |
| M | 38–39 | 97–99 |
| L | 40–42 | 102–107 |
| XL | 43–45 | 109–114 |
| 2XL | 46–48 | 117–122 |
| 3XL | 49–51 | 124–130 |
| 4XL | 52–54 | 132–137 |
| 5XL | 55–57 | 140–145 |
Women's leather jacket sizes (XXS–5XL)
| Size | Bust (in) | Bust (cm) | Hip (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XXS | 30–31 | 76–79 | 33–34 |
| XS | 32–33 | 81–84 | 35–36 |
| S | 34–35 | 86–89 | 37–38 |
| M | 36–37 | 91–94 | 39–40 |
| L | 38–40 | 97–102 | 41–43 |
| XL | 41–43 | 104–109 | 44–46 |
| 2XL | 44–46 | 112–117 | 47–49 |
| 3XL | 47–49 | 119–124 | 50–52 |
| 4XL | 50–52 | 127–132 | 53–55 |
| 5XL | 53–55 | 135–140 | 56–58 |
If your waist or hips are proportionally larger than your bust, use the larger of the measurements for any jacket you intend to fasten.
Between sizes? How to decide
- Take the larger size if you fall between two – leather does not stretch the way woven fabric does.
- Size up if you plan to wear a chunky jumper or hoodie underneath.
- Stay true to size for slim-cut biker styles if you only wear a T-shirt or shirt underneath and like a close fit.
- Still unsure? Email your measurements to sales@thehandmadejackets.com before ordering and we will recommend a size.
How fit differs by jacket style
Biker jackets
Designed to sit close through the chest and waist, finishing at the belt. A biker that is too roomy loses its sharp line. See our men's biker jackets and women's biker jackets.
Bomber and hooded jackets
A slightly fuller body gathered at ribbed cuffs and hem, so they are more forgiving. Our men's hooded leather jackets are cut with room for movement.
Shirt jackets
Cut like an overshirt, so they should sit comfortably over a T-shirt with a straight hang. Browse men's leather shirt jackets.
Shearling jackets and coats
The plush lining takes up room inside, so these are cut with extra ease. Do not size up "just in case" unless you will layer heavily.
Does a leather jacket stretch?
A little, mostly at the elbows and shoulders, as the leather softens and moulds to you. Sheepskin feels comfortable almost immediately; cowhide takes a few weeks to relax. Neither will stretch a full size, so never buy a jacket that is genuinely too tight in the hope it will loosen.
What if it does not fit?
Every jacket comes in our standard sizes and is dispatched within 2–7 business days, then delivered in 5–7 days, so about 7–14 days in total, with free shipping to the UK, US and Canada. If the size is not right, you can return any item within 30 days of delivery, and we will send you a free prepaid return label, whether you want a refund or an exchange. Full details are in our Refund & Return Policy.
Once you know your size, our guides to biker, bomber and aviator jackets and sheepskin vs cowhide leather can help you choose a style and leather.
FAQs: leather jacket fit and sizing
Should a leather jacket be tight or loose?
Snug, not tight. You should be able to fasten it over a T-shirt and move your arms freely, with no pulling across the back.
Do you offer made-to-measure leather jackets?
Not yet. Made-to-measure is coming soon; for now every jacket is made in standard sizes XXS to 5XL.
Are your jackets UK sizes?
We use letter sizes (XXS–5XL) with chest, waist and hip measurements in both inches and centimetres, so you can match your measurements directly rather than converting from a UK number size.
Should I measure a jacket I already own?
No – our chart uses body measurements, so measure yourself rather than a garment. If you are unsure, email your measurements to sales@thehandmadejackets.com before ordering and we will tell you which size to take.
How should the sleeves fit on a leather jacket?
They should finish at your wrist bone with your arms relaxed, and not ride far up your forearm when you reach forward.
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