Does Your Leather Jacket Fit the Way It Should?
A good leather jacket should create a sleek silhouette without feeling restrictive. Getting the right fit matters more than style or material because comfort and movement are essential, especially when riding.
Here are the basics to help you understand how a jacket should fit.
1. Jacket Length
The length should balance your upper and lower body. If you're under 5'9", the bottom should hit around mid-crotch. If you're taller, the hem can fall just below that or near your pants pockets.
Going too long can make you look shorter, while a too-short cut may throw off your proportions. A tailor can shorten most riding jackets slightly, but excessive alteration may affect its design.
2. Button or Zip Closure
Your jacket should close smoothly without pulling or gaping. When zipped or buttoned, the sides should meet cleanly and feel like a light hug.
If the closure pulls open at the bottom, it's too tight. If it hangs away from your body, it's too loose. A well-balanced closure enhances both comfort and style.
3. Shoulder Fit
The seam where the sleeve meets the body should align with the tip of your shoulder. A fit that's too tight or too loose here will affect how the entire jacket looks and moves.
You should have enough room for natural movement, especially around the shoulder blades, but not so much that the jacket loses shape.
4. Collar Fit
The collar should rest gently against the collar of your shirt and your neck. If it gaps or falls back, it’s too loose. If it bunches or creates tension, it’s too tight.
Improper collar fit is often a result of wrong shoulder sizing or back panel cut. A good collar should sit cleanly without forcing your posture.
5. Sleeve Length
Your sleeves should end right at your wrist bone, allowing about a quarter to half an inch of shirt cuff to show. Too long, and they’ll bunch up; too short, and they’ll expose your wrists.
A good test: stand with arms relaxed, then bend your wrists so your palms face the ground. The sleeve should stop about a quarter inch above the back of your hand.
6. Armholes
The armholes should be cut high enough for clean structure but low enough for movement. Too tight, and you’ll feel discomfort. Too loose, and it’ll affect mobility and aesthetics.
Tailoring can help customize this zone to give you the right amount of movement without compromising the jacket’s appearance.
7. Chest and Torso Fit
There should be about 1–1.5 inches of space between your shirt and the jacket when fully closed. Too tight, and you’ll see X-shaped wrinkles across the torso. Too loose, and the fabric will bunch or sag.
It’s okay to tailor the jacket in by an inch or two, but more than that can distort its lines.
8. Button Stance
The second button (or main closure point) should sit just above your navel—no more than an inch higher. Any lower, and the leather jacket may look unbalanced and off-proportion.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how a leather jacket should fit, you’re ready to make a more informed decision. The right fit will elevate your look, improve comfort, and give you better protection when riding.
At Best Leather NY, we’re committed to helping riders find gear that fits, performs, and looks the part.
