A leather jacket fits best when it's chosen with accurate measurements. Leather softens with wear but doesn't stretch much, so a few minutes with a tape measure is worth it. Here's how to do it at home.
What you'll need
- A soft, flexible tape measure
- A thin t-shirt to measure over (not a sweater)
- A friend to help, if possible, for more accurate results
Step-by-step measurements
- Chest: Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, under your armpits and across your shoulder blades. Keep it level and snug, not tight, and breathe normally.
- Waist: Measure around your natural waist, just above your belly button.
- Shoulders: Measure across your back from the edge of one shoulder bone to the other.
- Sleeve length: Start at the edge of your shoulder and run the tape down the outside of your slightly bent arm to your wrist bone.
- Jacket length: Measure from the base of the back of your neck down to where you'd like the jacket to end, often around the belt line for flight and newsboy styles.
Tips for a better fit
- Measure twice. Take each measurement two times and use the average if they differ.
- Think about layering. If you plan to wear a sweater or hoodie underneath, keep that in mind when choosing your size.
- Compare with a jacket you love. Lay a well-fitting jacket flat and measure it to double-check your numbers.
- Snug, not tight. Aim for comfortable room to move your arms without the jacket feeling loose.
Find your jacket
Once you have your measurements, compare them with the size chart on each product page, such as the TYPE A2 Flight Jacket by NorthmanPlus, the Type A2 Leather Flight Jacket, and The Newsboy Leather Jacket. New to leather? Read our leather jacket guide too.
Between sizes or unsure? Contact us with your measurements and we'll help you choose.