Leather Jacket Guides

Finding a leather jacket for tall men is mostly a problem of length. Chest sizes go up easily, but sleeves that stop short of the wrist and a hem that rides above the belt are what make a jacket look borrowed. This guide covers what to measure, which styles suit a long frame and how made to measure fixes what standard sizes can't.

Why standard sizes fall short on tall men

Jacket sizes are graded mainly by chest. Moving up a size adds width through the chest, shoulders and waist, but only a little length to the body and sleeves. A tall, slim man who sizes up to get longer sleeves ends up with a jacket that is baggy around the torso and still slightly short.

Leather adds a second problem. A cotton jacket can often be let down at the hem or cuffs, but leather keeps old needle holes and fold lines, and there is rarely enough spare material to lengthen it. Leather also doesn't grow longer with wear, as our guide to whether leather jackets stretch explains. In practice, the length has to be right when the jacket is made.

Sleeve length: how long should leather jacket sleeves be?

With your arms hanging relaxed, the sleeve should end at the wrist bone or slightly past it, toward the base of your thumb. Leather sleeves are usually cut a touch longer than a shirt sleeve, because the firmer material pulls up more when you bend your arm.

Then do the reach test. Stretch both arms straight out in front of you, as if holding a steering wheel. The cuffs should still cover your wrist bones. If they slide well up your forearm, the sleeves are too short, however well the rest of the jacket fits.

Many tall men also have a long reach for their chest size. Check the sleeve figure on the size chart against your own measurement rather than assuming it scales up with the size.

How to measure your sleeve

Stand straight with your arm relaxed and slightly bent. Measure from the edge of your shoulder bone, down the outside of the arm and over the elbow to the wrist bone. Our guide on how to measure for a leather jacket shows each measurement step by step.

Body length: where the hem should sit

Jacket length is measured down the back, from the base of the collar to the hem. On a tall frame, a standard length can finish above the belt, which makes the torso look longer and leaves a gap when you raise your arms. Aim for these points:

• Biker and cafe racer jackets: at the belt line or just below, covering the top of your waistband.
• Bombers: the ribbed waistband should sit at or just below the belt, snug on the hips.
• Trucker jackets: the hem should meet the waistband of your trousers.
• Car coats and longer jackets: hip to mid-thigh, a length that naturally suits a tall build.

As a final check, raise both arms overhead. A little lift is normal, but you shouldn't see your shirt or belt.

Shoulders and chest still come first

Length problems tempt tall men to size up, but the shoulder seam should still sit at the edge of your shoulder bone. If the shoulders hang past it, the whole jacket looks too big, however long the sleeves are.

The chest should zip over a T-shirt or thin knit without pulling, with room for one light layer. For the full list of fit points, see how a leather jacket should fit.

Choosing a leather jacket for tall men: styles that work

Every style can work once the length is right, but some flatter a long frame more easily than others.

• Car coats and mid-length coats. Their extra length balances a tall body and looks deliberate rather than cropped. Browse our men's leather coats for options.
• Trucker and safari jackets. Chest pockets and a straight cut break up a long torso, and the squarer shape suits lean builds.
• Cafe racers. A clean, straight line looks sharp on tall men, as long as the hem meets the belt.
• Trench coats. A long trench is one of the few garments that looks better the taller you are. Our leather trench coat guide covers fit and styling.
• Bombers and biker jackets. Both are short by design, so they work on tall men but are the least forgiving on length. Check the back length before ordering.

Men's Black Leather Mid-Length Car Coat Men's Distressed Brown Lambskin Safari Jacket Men's Black Lightweight Cowhide Leather Trench Coat

Proportion tips for a tall frame

• Break up the length. Chest pockets, belts and epaulettes add horizontal lines, while long, unbroken lines stretch the figure further.
• Add some structure if you are lean. A firmer hide or a squarer cut gives presence to a long, narrow frame.
• Mind the trouser rise. A mid or high rise meets the jacket hem and avoids a gap at the waist.
• Use color. A brown jacket over dark trousers splits the body into two blocks, which suits a tall frame well.

The made-to-measure route

If sleeves or body length are always a compromise, made to measure is the cleanest fix. Pick a jacket, choose "Customise Size (made to measure)" on the product page and place your order. Then email info@whiteburaq.com with your order number and your chest, shoulders, sleeve length, waist, hips and jacket length.

Measure over a T-shirt or thin shirt, and ask someone to help with the shoulders and back length. Made-to-measure jackets ship within 3 to 7 business days, then express delivery takes 3 to 5 business days in the US and 5 to 8 elsewhere.

Because each piece is cut to your numbers, made-to-measure and custom jackets can't be returned, so double-check your measurements before sending them. The made-to-measure page covers the process, and our size guide helps you compare your numbers with standard sizes first.

FAQ

What size leather jacket should a tall man get?

Choose the size that fits your chest and shoulders, then check the sleeve and back length on the size chart. If those are short, go made to measure rather than sizing up, which mostly adds width.

How long should leather jacket sleeves be on a tall man?

They should reach the wrist bone or slightly past it with arms relaxed, and still cover the wrist when you stretch your arms forward.

Can a tailor lengthen leather jacket sleeves?

Only by a small amount, and only if there is extra leather turned under at the cuff. Old needle holes and fold lines may still show, so getting the length right from the start is far more reliable.

What leather jacket style looks best on tall men?

Car coats, trench coats, trucker jackets and cafe racers all suit a tall frame. Shorter styles like bombers work too, as long as the hem reaches the belt.

The right leather jacket for tall men is one where the sleeves and hem are cut for your frame, not borrowed from a bigger size. Browse our men's leather jackets, pick the style you like and choose made to measure to get the length right the first time.