How Should a Leather Jacket Fit? Size Guide and How to Measure

A leather jacket should fit close to your body without pulling: shoulder seams at the edge of your shoulders, a front that closes over a tee or thin knit, sleeves to your wrist bone and a hem at your belt line. This guide covers how a leather jacket should fit, how to measure yourself, how fit changes by style, and how to choose between two sizes.

How Should a Leather Jacket Fit?

Area	Right fit	Too small	Too big
Shoulders	Seam at the edge of your shoulder	Seam sits on top of the shoulder; pulls when you reach	Seam hangs down your arm
Chest	Closes over a tee or thin knit with no strain	Zip or buttons pull; creases fan out from them	Leather folds or balloons when closed
Sleeves	End at your wrist bone with arms down	Wrists show when you reach forward	Cover your hands or bunch at the cuff
Length	Hem at the belt line or top of the hip	Rides above your waist when you raise your arms	Covers your seat (unless it's a long style)
Back	Smooth across the shoulder blades	Tight when you hug yourself or drive	Loose folds across the back
Collar	Lies flat, close to the neck	Presses on your neck when closed	Gapes away from the neck

Tight or loose? Close but comfortable. Leather softens and shapes to you over the first weeks, but it won't stretch a full size, so don't buy a jacket that's tight from the start.

How to Measure Yourself

Use a soft tape, keep it level, and measure over a thin top. Our size guide has the men's and women's size charts to compare your numbers against.

1. Chest: around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms and across your shoulder blades.
2. Waist: around your natural waist, just above the hip bones, without pulling in your stomach.
3. Hips: around the widest part; important for longer jackets and coats.
4. Shoulders: across your back from the edge of one shoulder to the other.
5. Sleeve: with your arm slightly bent, from the centre of the back of your neck, over the shoulder and down to your wrist.
6. Length: from the base of your neck at the back to where you want the hem: your belt line for most jackets, lower for a coat.

Ask someone to help with the shoulders and sleeves; they're hard to measure on your own.

How Fit Changes by Style

• Biker and café racer: the closest fit, so it doesn't flap on the bike; sleeves a little longer if you ride. See the men's and women's biker guides.
• Bomber: roomier through the body, gathered at the ribbed hem and cuffs. See what a bomber jacket is.
• Aviator and shearling: cut with room for a knit underneath; the lining takes space, so check the size chart closely.
• Blazer: tailored like a suit jacket; it should button without pulling and end below the seat.
• Coats: sized to go over a blazer or heavy knit; length matters most. See the men's and women's coat guides.
• Vests: close-fitting; size up if you'll wear one over a jacket. See the men's vest guide.
• Oversized styles: wider on purpose, with dropped shoulders. Keep the sleeves and hem in proportion so it looks deliberate.

Men's vs Women's Fit

Women's jackets are cut with narrower shoulders, more shape at the waist and room at the bust, and they're often shorter. Men's jackets are straighter with broader shoulders. A small men's size rarely fits a woman well at the shoulders and waist, so choose the cut made for you, or order a custom size.

Between Two Sizes?

• Go up if you'll wear knits or hoodies underneath, if it's a bomber, aviator or coat, or if your shoulders or chest are at the top of the range.
• Go down only for a biker or café racer you want close, and only if the smaller size closes without strain.
• Or go custom: send us your measurements and we'll make the jacket to fit.

Can a Leather Jacket Be Altered?

Sleeves can usually be shortened by a leather tailor, and the body can sometimes be taken in a little. Shoulders and length are very hard to change, so get those right when you order.

Sizes and Custom Options

Every jacket we sell is made to order, so you can have it made the way you want:

• Sizes: XS to 4XL or 5XL, depending on the style.
• Custom size: send us your chest, waist, hips, shoulders, sleeve and length measurements, plus your height and how you like the fit, and we'll make the jacket to your size.
• Custom colour: ask for the jacket in another leather colour.
• Leather type: choose lambskin, sheepskin, cowhide or suede.
• Lining and shearling: change the lining, or ask for real shearling instead of the standard faux shearling.

To order a custom jacket, see our custom order process (free design consultation) or contact us with the product link and the changes you want. For everything else to check before you buy, see our leather jacket buying guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should a leather jacket be tight or loose?

Close but comfortable. It should close over a tee or thin knit and let you move your arms freely.

Do leather jackets stretch or get looser over time?

A little. Leather softens and moulds to you with wear, especially lambskin, but it won't go up a full size.

Should I size up or down in a leather jacket?

Size up if you'll layer underneath or it's a bomber, aviator or coat. Size down only for a biker you want close, if it still closes easily.

How do I know if a leather jacket is too small?

The shoulder seams sit on top of your shoulders, the zip pulls, and your wrists show when you reach forward.

Where should a leather jacket end?

At your belt line or the top of your hip for most styles. Cropped jackets end at the waist; coats go to the thigh or knee.

How long should leather jacket sleeves be?

To your wrist bone with your arms by your sides, a little longer for riding.

Can I order a leather jacket in my exact measurements?

Yes. Every jacket is made to order, and you can send your measurements for a custom size.