A leather jacket lives or dies by its fit. Get it right and it looks tailored and expensive; get it wrong and even the finest leather looks off. This leather jacket size guide walks you through exactly how to measure yourself, gives you our full men’s and women’s size charts, and includes a free leather jacket size calculator so you can find your size in seconds — no guesswork, fewer returns.
Whether you are buying your first leather jacket or you have been burned by online sizing before, this is everything you need to order with confidence.
Find Your Size in Seconds
Enter your measurement below and our calculator matches it to the right Jacket Empire size, then shows you that jacket’s chest, shoulder and sleeve measurements. Prefer to do it manually? The full charts and measuring instructions are just underneath.
Leather Jacket Size Calculator
Enter your chest or bust measurement and we’ll match you to the right size — with the exact jacket chest, shoulder and sleeve measurements for that size.
in
Measure around the fullest part of your chest, keeping the tape level and snug — not tight.
Men’s Size Reference
Matched against your body (to-fit) chest measurement.
| Size | Body chest (in) | Jacket chest (in) | Shoulder | Sleeves |
|---|
How to Measure Yourself for a Leather Jacket
You only need a soft measuring tape and two minutes. Wear a light t-shirt (not a thick jumper) so your numbers reflect your real body. For the most reliable result, have someone help you, and keep the tape level and snug — never tight.
1. Chest / Bust (the most important one). Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, under the armpits and across the shoulder blades. Keep it horizontal. This single number drives your jacket size more than any other.
2. Shoulders. Measure straight across the back, from the bony point of one shoulder to the other. This tells you whether the shoulder seams will sit where they should — right at the edge of your shoulder.
3. Sleeve length. From the shoulder point, down the slightly bent arm to the wrist bone. Important if you have longer or shorter arms than average.
4. Waist. Around your natural waistline, where you would normally wear trousers. This matters most for fitted and cropped styles.
5. Jacket length (optional). From the base of your neck down to where you want the jacket to end. Useful if you prefer a specific cropped or longer look.
Write all five down. Your body chest tells you the size; the jacket chest in our charts is the finished garment measurement, which is larger to allow comfortable movement and layering.
Men’s Leather Jacket Size Chart
Find your body chest measurement to choose your size. Every figure below is the finished Jacket Empire garment measurement.
| Size | Body Chest | Jacket Chest | Shoulder | Sleeves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 36–37″91–93 cm | 42″106.68 cm | 18″45.72 cm | 25.5″64.77 cm |
| S | 38–39″96–99 cm | 44″111.76 cm | 18.5″46.99 cm | 26″66.04 cm |
| M | 40–41″101–104 cm | 46″116.84 cm | 19″49.53 cm | 26.5″67.31 cm |
| L | 42–43″106–109 cm | 48″121.92 cm | 19.5″49.53 cm | 27″68.58 cm |
| XL | 44–45″111–114 cm | 52″132.08 cm | 21″53.34 cm | 27.5″69.85 cm |
| 2XL | 46–47″116–119 cm | 54″137.16 cm | 22″55.88 cm | 28″71.12 cm |
| 3XL | 48–49″121–124 cm | 56″142.24 cm | 23″58.42 cm | 28.5″72.39 cm |
| 4XL | 50–51″127–129 cm | 58″147.32 cm | 24″60.96 cm | 29″73.66 cm |
Women’s Leather Jacket Size Chart
Find your body chest (bust) measurement to choose your size.
| Size | Body Chest | Jacket Bust | Shoulder | Sleeves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 31–32″79–81 cm | 36″91.5 cm | 14.5″39 cm | 24″61 cm |
| S | 33–34″84–87 cm | 38″96.5 cm | 15″38 cm | 24.5″62 cm |
| M | 35–36″89–92 cm | 40″101.5 cm | 15.5″39.5 cm | 24.5″62 cm |
| L | 37–38″94–97 cm | 42″106.5 cm | 16″40.5 cm | 25″63.5 cm |
| XL | 39–40″99–102 cm | 46″116.5 cm | 16.5″42 cm | 25″63.5 cm |
| 2XL | 41–42″104–107 cm | 48″122 cm | 17″43 cm | 25.5″64.5 cm |
| 3XL | 43–44″109–111 cm | 50″127 cm | 17.5″44.5 cm | 26″66 cm |
A note on fit: the body chest column is your measurement; the jacket chest/bust column is the finished garment, cut larger for comfort and layering. If your measurement does not match the chart, or you are between sizes, message us before ordering — we are happy to advise, and we offer made-to-measure.
What to Do If You’re Between Sizes
This is the question we get most, and the answer depends on the look you want.
Size up if you plan to layer a hoodie or thick jumper underneath, prefer a relaxed feel, or are choosing a biker style you want to wear over more than a t-shirt. Leather does not stretch much across the chest, so a little breathing room is safer than too little.
Size down if you want a sharp, slim, fitted look (think a clean café racer or a tailored moto), and you will mostly wear it over a t-shirt or shirt. A close fit reads more polished.
When truly stuck, size up — a slightly roomy jacket can be worn comfortably, but one that is too tight across the chest or shoulders cannot be fixed.
A Few Things That Affect Leather Jacket Fit
- Leather softens and moulds. Genuine leather gives a little with wear, moulding to your body over the first few weeks. It will not change size, but it will feel more personal.
- Shoulders are non-negotiable. Everything else has some flexibility; the shoulder seam sitting in the wrong place is the one thing that always looks wrong and cannot be tailored away easily.
- Style changes the fit. The same size in a slim biker and a relaxed bomber will feel different. Match your fit preference to the cut, not just the size label.
- Still unsure? Our made-to-measure service builds the jacket to your exact measurements, which removes the guesswork entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I measure for a leather jacket? Measure around the fullest part of your chest (or bust), keeping a soft tape level and snug. That single number is the main driver of your size. Also measure your shoulders, sleeve length and waist to check a given style will sit correctly.
What size leather jacket should I buy if I’m between sizes? Size up if you want to layer underneath or prefer a relaxed fit; size down for a slim, fitted look worn mostly over a t-shirt. When in doubt, size up — a slightly roomy jacket is easier to wear than one that is too tight.
Do leather jackets stretch over time? Genuine leather softens and moulds to your body with wear, but it does not change size. Choose the size that fits your chest now, not one you hope to stretch into.
What is the difference between body chest and jacket chest? Body chest is your own measurement around the fullest part of your chest. Jacket chest is the finished garment measurement, which is deliberately larger so the jacket fits comfortably with room to layer.
How should a leather jacket fit? The shoulder seams should sit right at the edge of your shoulders, the chest should be snug but not tight, and you should be able to layer a light top underneath. Sleeves should reach your wrist bone.
Order With Confidence
Getting your size right is the difference between a leather jacket you wear once and one you live in for years. Use the calculator above, measure your chest properly, and check the chart — that is all it takes.
Ready to find yours? Browse our men’s leather jackets and women’s leather jackets collections, or explore our made-to-measure service for a jacket cut entirely to your measurements.
