Wearing a well-fitting jacket not only keeps us warm and protected but also boosts our confidence. It’s important to find the right size when shopping for a jacket or making one yourself. With so many styles, sizes, and fits available, it can be a bit confusing to know which one is perfect for you.
In this guide, we will explore the world of jacket sizes, the difference between men’s, women’s, and children’s sizing, and how to measure yourself for the perfect fit. We
Standard Jacket Sizing Systems
When it comes to buying a jacket, it’s important to know about the different sizing systems used around the world. There are three main systems—US, UK, and European sizing. Each system has its own way of defining jacket sizes.
US Sizing
US sizing is commonly used in the United States and Canada. It uses numbers, like 34, 36, or 38, to indicate the size of the jacket. These numbers are often based on the chest measurement in inches. Men’s and women’s sizes are different in this system, with men’s sizes typically larger than women’s.
UK Sizing
UK sizing is very similar to US sizing but is used mainly in the United Kingdom and countries with British influence. The biggest difference is that UK sizes are usually one size smaller than their US counterparts. For example, a US size 38 would be a UK size 37.
European Sizing
European sizing is used in most countries in Europe, as well as some parts of Asia and Africa. This system uses a different set of numbers, like 48, 50, or 52, which are based on the chest measurement in centimeters. To convert US sizes to European sizes, you can add 10 to the US size. For example, a US size 38 would be a European size 48.
Jacket Sizes
Men’s and women’s jackets are measured differently. For men’s jackets, the size is based on the chest circumference, whereas women’s jackets have 3 measurements—the bust, the waist, and the hips.
The following tables describe the typical measurements for men’s and women’s jackets in inches and centimeters. Please note that each brand has their own sizing system, so the exact size figures may vary.
Men’s Jacket Sizes
Letter Size | Number Size/Chest (in) | Chest (cm) |
XS | 34 to 36 | 86 to 91 |
S | 36 to 38 | 91 to 97 |
M | 38 to 40 | 97 to 102 |
L | 42 to 44 | 107 to 112 |
XL | 46 to 48 | 117 to 122 |
XXL | 50 to 52 | 127 to 132 |
3XL | 54 to 56 | 137 to 142 |
Women’s Jacket Sizes
Number Size | Letter Size | Bust (in) | Bust (cm) | Waist (in) | Waist (cm) | Hip (in) | Hip (cm) |
6 | XS | 32 to 33 | 81 to 84 | 24 to 25 | 61 to 63 | 34 to 35 | 86 to 89 |
7 | S | 34 to 35 | 86 to 89 | 26 to 27 | 66 to 68 | 36 to 37 | 91 to 94 |
7.5 | M | 36 to 37 | 91 to 94 | 28 to 29 | 71 to 73 | 38 to 39 | 97 to 99 |
8 | L | 38 to 40 | 97 to 102 | 30 to 32 | 76 to 81 | 40 to 42 | 102 to 107 |
8.5 | XL | 42 to 44 | 107 to 112 | 34 to 36 | 86 to 91 | 44 to 46 | 112 to 117 |
9 | XXL | 46 to 48 | 117 to 122 | 38 to 40 | 97 to 102 | 48 to 50 | 122 to 127 |
10 | 3XL | 50 to 52 | 127 to 132 | 42 to 44 | 107 to 112 | 52 to 54 | 132 to 137 |
Children’s Jacket Sizes
Age Group | Chest (in) | Chest (cm) | Waist (in) | Waist (cm) | Hip (in) | Hip (cm) |
4 to 5 years | 23 to 24 | 58 to 61 | 22 to 23 | 56 to 58 | 24 to 25 | 61 to 63 |
6 to 7 years | 25 to 26 | 63 to 66 | 23 to 24 | 58 to 61 | 26 to 27 | 66 to 68 |
8 to 9 years | 27 to 28 | 68 to 71 | 24 to 25 | 61 to 63 | 28 to 29 | 71 to 73 |
10 to 11 years | 29 to 30 | 73 to 76 | 25 to 26 | 63 to 66 | 30 to 31 | 76 to 78 |
12 to 13 years | 31 to 32 | 78 to 81 | 26 to 27 | 66 to 68 | 32 to 33 | 81 to 84 |
14 to 15 years | 33 to 34 | 84 to 86 | 27 to 28 | 68 to 71 | 34 to 35 | 86 to 89 |
16 to 17 years | 35 to 36 | 89 to 91 | 28 to 29 | 71 to 73 | 36 to 37 | 91 to 94 |
Plus Sizes and Big & Tall Jackets
Size Group | Men’s Chest (in) | Men’s Chest (cm) | Women’s Bust (in) | Women’s Bust (cm) | Women’s Waist (in) | Women’s Waist (cm) | Women’s Hip (in) | Women’s Hip (cm) |
1X | 46 to 48 | 117 to 122 | 42 to 44 | 107 to 112 | 34 to 36 | 86 to 91 | 44 to 46 | 112 to 117 |
2X | 50 to 52 | 127 to 132 | 46 to 48 | 117 to 122 | 38 to 40 | 97 to 102 | 48 to 50 | 122 to 127 |
3X | 54 to 56 | 137 to 142 | 50 to 52 | 127 to 132 | 42 to 44 | 107 to 112 | 52 to 54 | 132 to 137 |
4X | 58 to 60 | 147 to 152 | 54 to 56 | 137 to 142 | 46 to 48 | 117 to 122 | 56 to 58 | 142 to 147 |
5X | 62 to 64 | 157 to 163 | 58 to 60 | 147 to 152 | 50 to 52 | 127 to 132 | 60 to 62 | 152 to 157 |
Measuring for the Perfect Jacket
A well-fitting jacket can make you look and feel great. To find the perfect fit, you’ll need to measure yourself or an existing jacket that fits you well. Here’s how to do it.
Tools You’ll Need
Before you start, gather a few items:
- A soft measuring tape that can easily wrap around your body.
- A friend or family member to help you take accurate measurements.
Measuring Your Body
Follow these steps to measure your body for a jacket—Remember to be as accurate as possible and double-check your measurements. Compare your numbers to the size charts provided by the brand to find the best fit.
- Chest—Stand up straight with your arms relaxed at your sides. Have your friend wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your chest, usually just under your armpits. Keep the tape snug but not too tight. Write down the measurement in inches or centimeters.
- Waist—Measure around the narrowest part of your waist, usually just above your belly button. Keep the tape snug but not too tight. Write down the measurement.
- Hips—Measure around the fullest part of your hips, usually at the top of your thighs. Keep the tape snug but not too tight. Write down the measurement.
- Sleeve length—Stand with your arm slightly bent at your side. Ask your friend to measure from the center back of your neck, over your shoulder, down your arm, and to your wrist. Write down the measurement.
- Shoulder width—Stand up straight with your arms relaxed at your sides. Have your friend measure from the outer edge of one shoulder to the outer edge of the other shoulder, across your back. Write down the measurement.
Measuring an Existing Jacket
If you have a jacket that fits you well, you can measure it to help you find a similar size. Here’s how:
- Lay the jacket on a flat surface, like a table or the floor. Make sure it’s zipped or buttoned up and smoothed out.
- Chest—Measure across the front of the jacket, from one armpit seam to the other. Multiply this number by two to get the full chest measurement. Write it down.
- Waist—Measure across the narrowest part of the jacket’s front, usually around the middle. Multiply this number by two to get the full waist measurement. Write it down.
- Hips—Measure across the widest part of the jacket’s front, usually near the bottom. Multiply this number by two to get the full hip measurement. Write it down.
- Sleeve length—Measure from the top of the shoulder seam, along the outer edge of the sleeve, to the end of the cuff. Write it down.
- Shoulder width—Measure across the back of the jacket, from one shoulder seam to the other. Write it down.
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