Jacket Sizes (and How To Measure It)

Jacket Sizes

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

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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:

  1. Lay the jacket on a flat surface, like a table or the floor. Make sure it’s zipped or buttoned up and smoothed out.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Shoulder width—Measure across the back of the jacket, from one shoulder seam to the other. Write it down.
BaronCooke

Baron Cooke has been writing and editing for 7 years. He grew up with an aptitude for geometry, statistics, and dimensions. He has a BA in construction management and also has studied civil infrastructure, engineering, and measurements. He is the head writer of measuringknowhow.com

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