“Sport Coat Fitting: Measure For Perfection”

If you're looking to buy a new sports coat, it's important to know how to measure yourself to ensure the best fit. All you need is a measuring tape and a bit of patience. Three key measurements will determine your perfect sports coat size: shoulder width, chest circumference, and waist circumference. It's also important to consider the length of the jacket, which can vary depending on your height. Stand up straight in front of a mirror and wrap the measuring tape around your shoulders at their widest point, with the end touching the tip of your shoulder. Then, take measurements of your chest and waist circumferences, making sure the tape is snug but not too tight. Compare these measurements to a size chart to find your ideal sports coat size.

Shoulder width

When measuring for a sport coat, it is important to get an accurate shoulder width measurement. This will ensure that the coat fits well and is comfortable to wear. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to measure your shoulder width:

Wear a well-fitting shirt:

While not necessary, wearing a tailored dress shirt can be helpful. The seams of the shirt can be used as a guide for the tape measure. If you don't have a tailored shirt, any shirt that fits correctly in the shoulder area will work.

Stand with good posture:

Stand up straight in front of a mirror, with your shoulders relaxed and your back straight. This will ensure that your shoulders are in a natural position when taking the measurement.

Identify the shoulder points:

The shoulder points are located at the upper tips of your shoulders, where the shoulder meets the arm. If you are wearing a dress shirt that fits well, the shoulder seams on the back of the shirt should align with these points.

Measure the distance between the shoulder points:

Place the end of the tape measure flat against your back at the first shoulder point. Follow the natural curve of your shoulders, measuring up and over the curve, across your back, and then back down to the outside edge of the other shoulder point. It is important to measure across the broadest part of your shoulders, which is usually about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) below the neckline. The tape measure should follow the contour of your shoulders and not be pulled straight between the two points.

Record the measurement:

Write down this measurement, as it represents your shoulder width. You can now use this measurement to refer to the size chart of the sport coat you wish to purchase.

It is worth noting that there are also methods to measure the front shoulder width and the shoulder width using a shirt. These methods can be useful if you are unable to have someone assist you with the standard shoulder width measurement, which requires another person to take the measurement.

Chest circumference

First, remove any thick clothing, such as sweaters, and put on a dress shirt or polo. Stand up straight with your arms at your sides, feet hip-width apart, and shoulders straight but relaxed. Next, have your friend wrap the measuring tape around your torso, just under your armpits, at the widest part of your chest. The tape should be snug but not too tight, and it should remain level as it crosses your upper back. Note down this measurement as it will be your jacket size.

If you have a portly, super muscular, or big and tall figure, you will need to take an additional overarm measurement. Stand with the same relaxed posture, and ask your friend to wrap the tape around the outside of your arms, keeping it at the same level as the previous chest measurement. Ensure the tape crosses the widest part of your chest and torso. Do not flex your arms or chest; instead, breathe slowly and keep yourself relaxed. Finally, subtract your chest measurement from your overarm measurement. If the difference is 7 inches or more, use this new number as your chest size.

Waist circumference

To find your waist circumference, you will need to find the narrowest part of your torso. This will be just below your ribcage and above your belly button. You can do this by bending to one side and locating the natural crease of your waist.

When measuring your waist, the tape should be parallel to the floor and wrapped all the way around your torso. It should be snug but not too tight.

If you are measuring a sport coat, you will need to lay it on its back with the torso extended and flattened. Measure the waist area from one edge to the other, ensuring the tape is parallel to the waistline.

Sleeve length

• Button the jacket up fully and lay it on a flat, hard surface with the sleeves pointing up.
• Find the corner where the side of the jacket meets the armpit.
• Measure from this point straight across to the opposite edge where the armpit and torso meet.
• With the jacket still on its back and buttoned, extend and flatten out the body of the jacket completely.
• Measure from the beginning of the sleeve where it meets the top shoulder seam.
• Follow the curve of the padding at the head of the sleeve.
• Rotate the measuring tape straight down to the end of the cuff.
• Lay the jacket flat on its back and pull the sleeve straight out to the side.
• Measure 1” from the armpit up to the top of the sleeve, ensuring this line is perpendicular to the top of the sleeve.
• For the sleeve opening width, lay the jacket on its back and smooth out the sleeve.
• With the cuff fully buttoned, spread it flat and measure across from side to side.

It is important to note that sleeve length measurements for sport coats are different from shirt sleeve measurements. Shirts are typically measured from the centre-back to the cuff, whereas sport coat sleeves are measured from the shoulder to the cuff, resulting in a shorter measurement for the latter.

Jacket length

First, lay the jacket flat on a surface with the front side facing up. Button or zip up the jacket and ensure the sleeves are not bent to get accurate measurements. Start by lifting the collar, then place the tape measure where the fabric meets the collar at the seam in the centre of the jacket. From there, measure in a straight line down to the bottom hem of the jacket. This will give you the length of the jacket.

If you are measuring your body to determine the ideal jacket length, the process is slightly different. Place the measuring tape at the top of your shoulder and extend it down the front of your chest. Stop measuring wherever you would like the jacket to end. A good rule of thumb is to measure down to the top of your thigh. However, this may differ for women, as many prefer a cropped jacket that hits above the thigh for a leg-lengthening effect.

It's worth noting that the letter after the jacket size often indicates the length of the jacket, including both the body and the sleeve. For example, a "short" length is suitable for people 5'8" and shorter, while a "regular" length is typically for individuals 5'9" to 6' tall.

When measuring jacket length, it's important to remember that you may need to adjust it depending on the style of the jacket and your personal preference. It's always a good idea to measure twice to ensure accuracy, and if in doubt, it's better to go for a larger size as a jacket can always be taken in.

Frequently asked questions