Finding Your Fit: Navigating Men's Coat Sizing

Knowing how to measure your coat size is essential for finding the perfect jacket. While some people focus on the shoulders or arm openings as the most critical area of fit, coat sizing is typically determined by chest size. To measure your chest, you should wrap a tape measure around the fullest or broadest part of your chest, keeping the tape snug but not too tight. This measurement will correspond to the coat size you should select. For a loose-fitting jacket, you may want to size up. In addition to chest size, you can also measure your shoulder width, sleeve length, waist, and overall length to ensure the best fit for your coat.

Measure around the broadest part of your chest

To measure your chest, you will need a flexible tape measure. Stand relaxed and breathe out. Wrap the tape measure around the broadest part of your chest, keeping it up under your arms with one finger between the tape and your body. Breathe in. The resulting measurement in inches is your chest size.

The chest is the primary measure for coat sizing. When buying a blazer, sports jacket, or tailcoat, choose a jacket in your chest size, ensuring that all other measurements are suitable, such as sleeve length.

Different coat makers will have different chest measurements for the same shoulder/armhole width. For example, a 19.5" shoulder/armhole width coat can have anywhere from a 43" to a 47" chest measurement, yielding sizes 40-44. Therefore, it is a good idea to check all the measurements provided for a perfect fit.

Measure your shoulder width

Measuring your shoulder width is a crucial step in ensuring your coat fits you well. It's much harder to tailor a coat to fix shoulder width than chest size, so getting this right is important. Here's a step-by-step guide to measuring your shoulder width:

Measuring Shoulder Width:

• Wear a well-fitting shirt: While not strictly necessary, a slim-fit or tailored dress shirt is ideal as the seams will help guide the tape measure. The shoulder seams on the back of your shirt usually match up with your actual shoulder points.
• Stand with good posture: Stand up straight with your feet flat on the ground about shoulder-width apart. Keep your chin level, pull your stomach in, and put your weight on the balls of your feet.
• Locate your shoulder points: These are the points at the tips of your shoulders where your shoulders meet your arms. They are marked by your acromion bones, which can be found at the upper tips of your shoulders.
• Measure the distance between your shoulder points: If you have an assistant, ask them to position the end of the tape measure flat against your back at the first shoulder point and measure up and over the curve of your shoulders, across your back, and then back down to the outside edge of the other shoulder point. If you are measuring by yourself, stand against a wall and use a pencil to mark where each arm meets each shoulder. Then, use a measuring tape or yardstick to measure the distance between the two marks.
• Record your measurement: Your shoulder width measurement will be useful for future reference when shopping for coats or other clothing.

Additional Notes:

• The average shoulder width for adult males is generally around 16 to 18 inches (41 to 46 cm), measured from acromion to acromion (the outermost points of the shoulder bones).
• Shoulder width is influenced by several factors, including genetics, age, ethnicity, and physical activity levels.
• It is also important to consider the overall proportions of your body when assessing your shoulder width. For example, poor posture can make the shoulders appear narrower.
• When selecting a coat size, if your measurements fall between sizes, it is usually best to go with the larger size and have it altered for a perfect fit.

Measure your waist

To measure your waist for a man's coat size, you'll need to physically measure the circumference of your waist with a tape measure.

First, pinpoint the natural crease of your waist by bending to one side. This crease will be higher than where you normally wear your pants — above your belly button, but typically just below your ribcage.

Now, wrap the tape measure around your torso at this point, keeping it parallel to the floor. Relax and breathe out while taking the measurement. This is your waist size.

If you are measuring for trousers, measure about 1 inch above the hip bone and under the belly.

Measure your arm length

When measuring your arm length for a coat, it is important to get an accurate reading to ensure the coat sleeves fit properly. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you measure your arm length correctly:

Prepare Your Tools and Body Posture:

• You will need a flexible tape measure and a notepad to record the measurements.
• Stand straight with your arms loosely by your sides. Ensure your arms are relaxed and not tensed.
• Slightly bend your elbows to allow for extra ease. This is important because the natural position of your arms is slightly bent, and you want to ensure the sleeve length will be comfortable.

Measure the Arm Length:

• Place one end of the measuring tape at the base of the centre of the back of your neck.
• Run the tape measure over your shoulder and down to your hand.
• There are different opinions on where the measurement should end at your hand:
• One method suggests measuring to the centre of the meaty part of your palm.
• Another method advises measuring to the point where your hand starts to widen at your wrist.
• Alternatively, you can measure to just past your wrist bone, which is where you would like your shirt cuff to sit.
• It is important to note that sleeve length is not always based solely on arm length. The shape of the sleeve armhole and the width of your shoulders can affect the sleeve measurement.

Additional Tips:

• If you are measuring for a custom dress shirt, you can also measure a shirt that fits you well to get the sleeve length.
• When buying a coat, it is a good idea to check all the measurements provided to ensure a perfect fit.

By following these steps and considering the tips, you can ensure you have an accurate arm length measurement for coat sizing.

Check the size chart

When shopping for a coat, it's important to check the size chart to ensure you get the right fit. Size charts are usually attached to the product pages, where you can also find additional information about the specific product. While sizes may vary slightly between brands, you can still use the size chart as a guide.

To use a size chart, you'll need to take some basic body measurements. For men, the most important measurement is typically the chest, which you can measure by wrapping a tape measure under your armpits at the widest part of your chest. Be sure to stand up straight and relax, and leave a little room to move—about an inch or 2.5 cm. If you prefer a looser fit, consider sizing up.

In addition to chest size, some size charts may also include measurements for height, sleeve length, shoulder width, and waist size. For example, ASOS provides sleeve length measurements on their product pages, while other brands may indicate whether a coat is short, regular, or long fit.

When checking the size chart, look for the measurements that most closely align with your own. Keep in mind that you may need to size up or down depending on the brand and your preferred fit. It's always a good idea to review all the measurements provided to ensure a perfect fit.

Frequently asked questions