How to Measure for a Custom Leather Jacket: 5 Measurements

Short answer: you need five measurements for a custom leather jacket: chest, shoulder width, sleeve length, back length and waist. Take them over the clothing you will wear underneath, with a soft tape held snug but not tight, and have someone else measure you if you can. Send the numbers through our custom order page; custom sizing at Leather Taboo costs nothing extra.

What you need

A soft tailor's tape (not a metal one)
The shirt or knit you will normally wear under the jacket
A friend, ideally; self-measured shoulders and back length are usually wrong
Inches or centimetres, your choice; just say which

The five measurements

1. Chest

Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, under the arms, across the shoulder blades. Keep it level. Breathe normally; do not puff up. This sets the body of the jacket.

2. Shoulder width

Across the back, from the bony point of one shoulder to the other. This is the measurement most people get wrong, and the one that cannot be corrected later, so measure twice.

3. Sleeve length

From the shoulder point down the outside of a slightly bent arm to the wrist bone. For a biker jacket add about half an inch; for anything else, measure to the bone.

4. Back length

From the prominent bone at the base of the neck straight down the spine to where you want the hem: belt line for a biker or bomber, lower for a coat.

5. Waist

Around your natural waist, level, over your under-layer. On a fitted jacket this sets the taper; on a coat it sets where the belt sits.

Extra measurements for specific garments

Coats: add hip circumference and the total length you want.
Pants: waist, hip, thigh circumference, inseam, and whether you want them at the waist or on the hip.
Corsets: bust, underbust and natural waist; see the corset collection notes.
Catsuits and jumpsuits: the five jacket measurements plus hip, inseam and height.
Motorcycle suits: everything above plus weight and thigh; see motorcycle leather guide.

Common mistakes

Measuring over a t-shirt when you will wear the jacket over a hoodie.
Pulling the tape tight. Snug, not tight.
Measuring shoulders from the front; the seam runs across the back.
Sending your usual store size instead of measurements. A size is a guess; a measurement is a fact.
Rounding down because you plan to lose weight. Make the jacket for the body you have.

What happens next

Once your measurements are in, we confirm the production time before you pay. The jacket is cut to your numbers with the ease built in for the style you chose; you do not need to add room yourself. If a number looks inconsistent with the others we will ask before cutting. Standard-size returns follow our refund policy; ask us about custom items before ordering if you have questions.

Frequently asked questions

Do I add room for movement?

No. Send your actual body measurements; the pattern adds the ease.

Can I send a jacket that fits well instead?

You can send its measurements laid flat (chest, shoulder, sleeve, length) and tell us it fits well; say so clearly so we do not add ease twice.

Does custom cost more?

Not at Leather Taboo.

How to Measure Yourself for a Custom Leather Jacket