How do you go from your body measurements to jacket measurements for fit

[beckster]

Long title but if you are looking at jacket measure say pit to pit how do you convert to a chest size. Plz point me in the right direction. Thanks to all.

 

[Guppy]

It depends on the style of the jacket, and the desired fit.

For chest size, +1-2" is a snug fitting jacket, +3-4" is a standard/comfortable fit, and more than that is probably too big, or an overcoat intended for layering under.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Long title but if you are looking at jacket measure say pit to pit how do you convert to a chest size. Plz point me in the right direction. Thanks to all.

You don't. Best way to do this (and get all your correct lengths - sleeve, shoulder, back length) is use the measurements of any jacket that fits you well- as you would like a leather jacket to fit you. You can use a denim jacket or a carhartt or something similar to work it out. Then measure the jacket under the armpits across and - in my case you will get 23 inches (I'm a size 40 to a 46 depending on the pattern or maker - sizes are not the same across jackets, unfortunately). Don't get too fanatical about exact size - I can fit 22.5 to 23.5 pit to pit depending on the pattern.

If I had known the above infomation 30 years ago I wouldn't have made mistakes with so many jackets.

Or, if you are going to a reputable jacket maker/seller, give them your measuremnts and let them work it out.

 

[Peacoat]

While I usually agree with Seb on what he writes (with the exception of the perceived weight of leather jackets), I can't agree with him on measuring the p2p of another jacket that fits you well.

Several years ago I measured four of my leather jackets and posted the results. Two of them were heavy (4 oz.) and two were lighter (3 oz.) weight. I don't remember the metrics now, but there was considerable difference in the p2p between the two different weights. The heavy weights were consistent in their p2p and the light weights were consistent in their p2p.

Because Seb mentioned Carhartt, I measured mine that fits me like my leather jackets do. I also measured my heavy Johnson Leather, my completion weight Vanson, both 4 oz., my Sheene and my ThunderBay, both 3 oz. FQHH.

The Carhartt was 25 1/2" p2p, The two light weight jackets were almost 25" and the heavy leather jackets were both 24". My peacoats that fit the same as my leather jackets measure in at 22.25" (for a size 42). The jackets were of different stated sizes, but all fit like a size 42.

So, while using the p2p of another jacket that fits will give an approximate guide, it isn't close enough for me. If I used my Carhartt p2p of 25 1/2 oz. for sizing a leather jacket, it would be way too big. Conversely, if I used my peacoat p2p of 22 1/4" the leather jacket would be too tight.

While using another leather jacket as a guide for the p2p, it really should be of the same weight as the jacket being purchased, otherwise, the p2p may be off by an inch. While an inch doesn't sound like much, remember that the p2p measurement is only one half of the chest. If the p2p is off one inch, the actual chest size will be off by 2 inches. That is a deal killer for me.

To give you the proper way to measure the p2p, I have added a link below. Go to the end of the guide where you will see a section on "Sizing of Peacoats." There will be a paragraph there on how to properly take the p2p measurement. I like to copy this language and send it to he seller so that we are both on the same page. Many sellers have no idea of the proper way to measure the p2p on a coat or jacket. They can come up with some novel ways to make the measurement. While novelty is good in many areas, I can do without it when measuring the p2p on a jacket I am about to buy.


https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...-dating-the-united-states-navy-peacoat.72058/

 

[scottyrocks]

Yes, I was going to say that none of my jackets that fit me correctly (for me) have all the same measurements.

I am curious now to have someone take my measurements and then compare them with my best fitting jackets using the guide posted by Guppy.

 

[Peacoat]

While the p2p measurement is important, other measurements are important as well. I scouted around and found the photos illustrating the proper way to measure from another thread I had saved to my hard drive. Also here is a link to that thread about fit, where the below pictures were snatched from Fantch.

https://www.thefedoralounge.com/thr...measurements-for-a-jacket.91179/#post-2284285

 

[Hh121]

Good point, Peacoat.
It also depends on different leather, If it is Lost Worlds horsehide then 23 pit to pit is little too big on me. But if it's Horween cxl, pit to pit 23.75 still gives me good fit. I think because cxl tends to gain creases.

 

[Guppy]

Yes, I was going to say that none of my jackets that fit me correctly (for me) have all the same measurements.

I am curious now to have someone take my measurements and then compare them with my best fitting jackets using the guide posted by Guppy.

I wouldn't even call my advice a "guide"... it was really just a quick, off the cuff rule of thumb. There's a lot more to it than that. Best thing is to try on a lot of jackets, note how well they fit, and measure them, and build up an intuitive sense for the measurements that work best for you for a given style of jacket. But you have to keep in mind that the measurements that work in one style may not be at all right for another style.

And then you have to realize that if you're not dealing with the jacket in person, you're relying on someone else's measurements, and they may not do it exactly the same way you do it, which can mean the measurements can be off to a significant degree. On the sleeve measurements, depending on how it's done there can be as much as 2-3" difference between one method of measuring and another. Any error in the pit-pit, waist, or shoulder measurement is doubled.

You can mentally adjust for error if you can see photos showing how the measurement was obtained. If they didn't lay the tape straight and taut, if the jacket isn't laying flat and stretched out correctly, etc. you can tell from a photo and then make a rough guess as to what the true measurement actually is. Even then it's still pretty hit or miss, and you don't really know until you have it on and can zip it up and move about in it a little.

That's all good for buying an already-made jacket, but if you're having someone make it for you, just ask them how to measure yourself, have someone help you, do it the way they tell you, and send the numbers to them, tell them whether you want it snug, normal, relaxed, or loose, and let them work it out.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Interesting comments, Peacoat. I never meant that they all measure the same. I just checked 8 of my jackets - including tweed, corduroy, a donkey jacket in melton wool, some leathers and my Carhartt Detroit. They are all between 22.5 and 23.7 inches pit to pit. I guess the system works for me. The only jacket that departs from this and is too big at 25 inches is my Johnson Leathers car coat, bought before I was specific about sizing.

I can't think of another way to work our sizing because even if you measure yourself then each jacket pattern will vary and the amount in inches you need to add to get a good fit will vary so much you will be guessing anyway.

 

[El Marro]

Good advice all around. There is also an unavoidable component of trial and error that goes into getting a great fit in a leather jacket. I have found this both with jackets I picked up second hand, as well as jackets that were custom made for me. Every jacket I have bought is a learning experience and now I have a pretty good idea what numbers work for me in a cross zip versus a G-1, etc.

 

[Doctor Damage]

It depends on the style of the jacket, and the desired fit.

Yup.

 

[Logician]

Good advice all around. There is also an unavoidable component of trial and error that goes into getting a great fit in a leather jacket. I have found this both with jackets I picked up second hand, as well as jackets that were custom made for me. Every jacket I have bought is a learning experience and now I have a pretty good idea what numbers work for me in a cross zip versus a G-1, etc.

Here is a link on how to measure (yourself) that David Himel emailed me in February.

 

[navetsea]

measure another jacket that fit you best in similar style with the one you're going to order, jacket with high armhole like racer type you probably can use your slim blazer to measure its P2P, but jacket with bigger sleeve and lower set armhole, probably you need a cardigan or hoodie that fits you well to measure its P2P since lower armhole need some batwing to be able to move your arm around freely. just my personal opinion