How to Choose a Winter Jacket Size: 9 Steps (with Pictures) (2024)

FAQs

How do I know my winter jacket size? ›

Taking measurements is easy if you know what and how to measure your jacket size. Measure your bust around the underarms to know your upper jacket size. Then comes the measurement of jacket length taken from your shoulder to your waist. After this, you can check the sleeve length from your shoulder to your wrist.

For a slimmer fit, choose a jacket size ~1″ smaller than your (body measurement) chest circumference. For a more relaxed, classic fit, choose the jacket size closest to your actual measured chest circumference.

Buy a Size That Fits Your Wardrobe

“We often encourage guys to size up when it comes to outerwear. If your coat is snug with a blazer or a sweater underneath, you should go for a bigger size. If the sleeves are too long, you can always get them tailored. It's worth the effort.”

A winter coat fit shouldn't be too roomy, or it won't insulate as efficiently as a coat that fits just right. All the open, empty space is like the water cooler hangout at the office: the cold air hangs out there and keeps your coat from being productive and efficiently keeping you warm.

Suit and sport coat sizes have one number and one letter (for example, 38S, 40R, 42L). The number is your chest measurement and the letter refers to the jacket's length ' short, regular or long. Check your own measurements and follow our men's suit size chart to help determine the right size for you.

Stand in front of a mirror and look for signs that the fit isn't right. If the sleeves don't cover your wrists and the bottom of the coat rides up — like the image on the left — the coat is too small. If the sleeves go down past your thumb, and the shoulders are much wider than your shoulders, the coat is too big.

How to tell if a winter coat is too big? Look at how much space is between you and the jacket. There should be just enough room for the layers you would normally wear underneath your coat; it should not look baggy or too loose on your body. Keep in mind that a coat that's too tight performs differently, too.

What is the difference between winter coat and winter jacket? ›

To put it simply, the difference is in the length. At a basic, all-encompassing level, coats are heavy & come down to the hip or longer, while jackets are light & stop at hip length, but there are plenty of variants that ride the line between coat and jacket.

Canada Goose

When it comes to the best winter jackets, this Canadian brand is hard to beat. Featuring down insulation, Canada Goose jackets are known for being some of the warmest winter coats, and their expedition parka in particular has earned worldwide acclaim.

"M" (medium), "L" (large), "XL" (extra large), "XXL" (extra extra large).

To help choose the right size, you will need to measure your bust, waist and hip. Use a tape measure over your underwear or form fitting clothing and compare your body measurements with those on our size chart, choosing the size that closest matches your measurements.

A size 8 is considered a medium size here as well, and according to the store's size guide, is right for women who have a 28.5-inch waist.

If in doubt, go with neutral, grey, black, or white. You can also look for jacket colors that match your skin tone. For example, if you have a cool skin tone, you'll look fabulous in colors with undertones of pink or navy blue. If you have warmer skin tones, try a jacket in brown or earthy tones.

Winter jacket: Less than 25 degrees. Light to medium coat: 25 to 44 degrees. Fleece: 45 to 64 degrees. Short sleeves: 65 to 79 degrees.

What color jacket goes with everything? ›

These are the coat colors that will go with everything: Black; Earth Tones (olive green, browns, beige) Red; Navy; Light Blue; Keep reading to see how you can choose the perfect coat to add to your wardrobe.

Opt for a jacket that's 1 size larger than your shirt size.

This is the general advice for buying a jacket so that it won't be too tight. Having the jacket a little bigger than your normal size will also help to ensure that you can easily layer it over other items.

When buying a coat, it's always best to size up, even if you're not between sizes. This is so you can comfortably add a sweater or a fleece, if the weather takes a turn for the colder, have room at the neck for a scarf, and room in your pockets for your gloves.

Typically the waist size of a suit pant is 6" less than the suit size. For example, a suit size 42 jacket comes with a 36" waist pant.

What dress size is a 'Medium'? This varies from brand to brand and by country. Some stores will consider a medium to be a size 10, while others a size 12-14. As an average, a Medium is likely to be a around a size 12.

Generally speaking, mid-size fashion ranges from a 10 to 16 in women's sizing. “If you find you're too big to fit into straight-sized stores like Zara but too small for size-inclusive stores like Torrid, you most likely fall in the mid-size range,” explains Mac Rose, a stylist based in New York City.

Size 4- 8 is about a medium and 10–14 is considered large. 16–18 is XL and above that is what is usually considered “plus” sizes.

Generally, heavier (thicker) fabrics keep you warmer, though that's not really the primary purpose of a base layer (wicking is). Warm-weather base layers: Long underwear might not be appealing when temperatures soar, but having dry skin generally makes you more comfortable in all conditions.

The first number that you'll want to look for is your jacket's fill power rating. This is a number that indicates the overall quality of the down by rating its “loft.” That number usually falls between 300 and 900+. A quality down jacket should be 600 or higher.

What is jacket size R or L? ›

All chest sizes come in three length: R(Regular), L(Long) and S(Short). An easy way to explain the difference between "Regular", "Long" and "Short" is, for "Short", both the sleeves and length of the overall jacket will be 1" - 1.5" shorter than "Regular", and same applies to "Regular" vs "Long".

The reason for this is that jackets and hoodies are already larger than t-shirt sizes because they are designed to be worn over shirts and not as a substitute for a shirt. Ultimately, though, the fit itself is what determines the size you purchase at the cash register.

The length of the coat should match the length of the dress. It shouldn't be too long or too short. You can pair it up with any kind of dress, be it bodycon or fit & flare. You just have to keep the length in mind.

A winter coat fit shouldn't be too roomy, or it won't insulate as efficiently as a coat that fits just right. All the open, empty space is like the water cooler hangout at the office: the cold air hangs out there and keeps your coat from being productive and efficiently keeping you warm.

How tight should a winter coat be? ›

Should winter jackets be tight or loose? Jackets should not sit too tightly against your body. This is to ensure you have breathing space between your body and the inner layer of your jacket for your body heat to circulate easily.

A: It just means it's a regular extra large.

Purchase a jacket the next size up from your measurements.

For example, if you have a chest measurement of 38 in (97 cm) and a waist measurement of 30 in (76 cm), opt for a jacket in this size. If you're a size large and you want the jacket to fit you loosely, opt for an extra-large instead.