Men’s coats and jackets size guide

The ultimate outerwear fit guide is here. From finding your measurements to combatting common sizing issues, we have it all covered. Use our handy men’s coats and jackets size chart to find the perfect fitting outerwear — from suit jackets and blazers to trench coats and puffers.

How to measure yourself: 

To figure out the size, you’ll need: your chest and waist size, shoulder width, sleeve length and coat length measurements. Not sure how to do this? We have your back.

 

Tools needed:

• Measuring tape

• A mirror

• Possibly a friend or family member to help.

Measurements needed:

• Chest: Measure around the fullest part of the chest, keeping the tape level.

• Shoulder width: Measure from shoulder tip to shoulder tip for a structured fit.

• Sleeve length: Measure from shoulder tip to wrist, allowing for full arm coverage.

• Waist (for fitted styles): Measure around the natural waist if looking for a tailored fit.

• Coat length: Measure from the shoulder down to your preferred coat length (e.g. hip, thigh, or knee).

Men’s coats and jackets conversion and measurement charts

Sizing varies between brands, which is why it’s important to compare your measurements against our size conversion charts. See below…

This is for reference only and may vary from product to product. 

The term "outerwear" covers a wide range of coat and jacket styles.

• Puffer jacket: A casual, insulated pick with a relaxed fit. Usually covers the hips or mid-thigh for maximum warmth.

• Bomber jacket: Short, lightweight, and versatile. Usually sits just above your hips but below the belt line.

• Overcoat: A tailored, insulated coat with structured shoulders. Falls mid-thigh to knee length for a classic, formal look.

• Blazer: A tailored jacket with structured shoulders and a streamlined fit. The blazer hem should fall just past your hips and sit comfortably over your chest, cinching slightly at the waist.

• Peacoat: A short, tailored style with a double-breasted design, broad lapels and large buttons. Often made of wool for a dressy-casual vibe. 

• Trench: A timeless, double-breasted style with a belted waist that usually falls to knee length.

Common sizing issues in outerwear:

Getting the right fitting coat or jacket while making sure it works with the rest of your wardrobe can be tricky. Here are some key things to consider when shopping and trying on new coats or jackets.

• Layering: A common issue is thinking about chunky sweaters or extra thermals under your coat or jacket. Go for a size larger in lighter weight styles like a puffer coat or barn jacket, so you can easily layer as needed.

• Arm mobility: Restricted arm movement can be a sizing issue, particularly with blazers and suit jackets. Make sure you’re measuring from shoulder tip to wrist when noting your measurements. Then, when trying on new pieces, move your arms around and get a feel for the length and space in the sleeve. Think about what you’re wearing it for. Are you trying it on with the shirt or sweater you’d usually wear it with?

• Length: The length of the jacket from collar to hem is usually one of the first things people look at when shopping for new outerwear. Make sure you’re measuring from the shoulder to your preferred coat length. (E.g. that it’s not too cropped that your tee or sweater's peeking out from under the hem, but not too long that it’s making you look shorter).

Fabric and fit considerations:

It’s important to consider your outerwear's fabric: it can also affect the sizing and fit between brands.

Stretch fabrics like spandex, jersey knits and nylon all have a little "give" in them, meaning they might fit slightly larger or looser than intended.

Non-stretch fabrics like cotton, linen, poplin and denim are more rigid, so won’t flex much with wear or movement.

Hacks for buying coats and jackets

Layering considerations:

Factoring in layering is crucial when deciding on the fit of a new outerwear piece — especially when it's cold out. Important things to consider:

• Make sure the neckline and collar can fit a thick hood around them.

• Make sure you have plenty of room in the sleeves so your movement isn't restricted.

• Go for jackets with snaps at the sleeve cuffs so you can adjust if needed.

FAQs

How to find the right coat length for your height

Finding the right coat length is essential for both comfort and style. Here's how to pick the right one based on your height:

• Measure your height to find the correct jacket and coat length.

• For men under 5’8”, go for short coats: waist length or just below the hip.

• For men 5'8" to 5'11”, waist length works well for casual styles like bombers and puffers, plus knee length coats. Long coats, like overcoats and oversized winter ones, are fine if the hem hits just above or at the ankle.

• For men over 5'11" knee length coats, full length coats or overcoats (ending at mid-calf or just above the ankle) provide a great balance. A short coat on a man over 5'11" can often look disproportionate, so it's generally better to avoid waist length or cropped styles.

What do I do if the sleeves are too long or short?

If sleeves are too long:

• Tailoring: The best solution for long sleeves is to have them shortened by a tailor. In most cases, there's enough fabric in the cuffs to shorten the sleeves without altering the overall fit of the coat.

• Cuff adjustments: If the coat has functioning cuffs with buttons, a tailor may be able to adjust the sleeve length, sometimes by repositioning the cuffs or shortening them.

• Rolling: For a more casual or relaxed dress code, you can roll up the sleeves once or twice. Only do this if the sleeves aren't excessively long.

What do I do if the sleeves are too short?

• Layer with a sweater or shirt: If the sleeves are too short, you can layer a long sleeve shirt or sweater underneath.

• Add a cuff extension: A skilled tailor can add a cuff extension, though this might not always work with every coat. It depends on the fabric and how much extra material is available.

• Consider a new coat: If the sleeves are significantly too short, the coat might not be the best fit for your body, and you might need to look for a different size.

Hacks for fitting coats over suits or blazers

• Roomy but not baggy: Make sure the coat has enough room across the chest and shoulders to comfortably fit over the layers. A coat that’s too tight in these areas will feel restrictive.

• Tailored coats are key: Go for a tailored or structured coat, like a wool overcoat or a peacoat. These styles work well with a suit underneath and keep your overall look sharp without looking oversized or shapeless.

• Avoid outerwear that's too loose: A coat that's too boxy can make your suit look like it doesn’t fit correctly. Stick with coats that have clean lines and a slightly fitted cut.

• Check the shoulders: When wearing a suit under your coat, make sure the shoulder seams align with your natural shoulder line. If the coat feels tight in the shoulders, it can restrict your movement; if it’s too loose, it’ll look sloppy.

• Consider a longer coat: A style that hits at the knee or mid-thigh is a good length when layering over a suit or blazer. It will have enough coverage without being too short, which can expose your suit or make you look top-heavy.

How to handle in-between sizes or if one measurement is larger than the standard size chart

• Go with the larger size: If your chest, waist or hips fall between two sizes, go for the larger size. This will give you enough room to move comfortably and layer clothing underneath without straining the fabric. A tailor can always adjust the fit in other areas.

• Use a tailor: If one area of your body is larger than the standard size (e.g., broader shoulders, bigger chest), buy the coat that fits the largest measurement and have it tailored to fit your body in other areas (e.g., taking in the waist or adjusting the sleeves).

• Fit for comfort: It's better to have a slightly looser fit that you can adjust through tailoring than to get a style that's too tight in key areas, like the shoulders or chest.

• Consider custom or made-to-measure: If you're consistently between sizes and struggle with off-the-rack fits, consider custom or made-to-measure options.

• Layering considerations: Account for layers when choosing a size. It's usually safer to buy a style with a little more room than you need, so you can comfortably layer clothing underneath.