Leather Jacket Guides

A leather jacket should feel good the moment you zip it, not only after you've talked yourself into waiting for it to stretch. Yet finding a plus size leather jacket that fits your bust, arms and hips at the same time is still harder than it should be. Here is what usually goes wrong with standard sizing, which cuts are worth trying, and how to get a jacket made to your measurements.

Why a plus size leather jacket is hard to find off the rack

Many ranges create larger sizes by scaling one pattern up evenly. That adds width everywhere, including places you may not need it, while missing the areas where your curves actually are. Leather makes this more obvious because, unlike a knit, it has almost no stretch.

Every body carries its shape differently. Two women with the same bust measurement can have very different shoulder widths, arm measurements and hip-to-waist ratios. A good fit comes from matching the jacket to your numbers, not to a size label.

Common fit problems and how to solve them

• The zip gapes or pulls at the bust. The pattern's chest is too small for your bust even though the shoulders fit. What you need is extra room at the bust only, which is exactly what made to measure allows.
• The sleeves grip your upper arms. Standard sleeves are often cut narrow. If sleeves are usually snug on you, say so when you send your measurements, and include the measurement around the fullest part of your upper arm.
• The shoulders slide off when you size up. Going up a size for the bust or hips often leaves the shoulder seam hanging past your shoulder. Start from the size that fits your shoulders and adjust from there.
• The hem flares or rides up. A hip-length jacket needs enough room at the hem to sit smoothly, or it creeps up to your waist whenever you sit or move.
• The sleeves are too long. Sizing up usually adds sleeve length too. With arms relaxed, a sleeve should end at the base of your thumb.

Leather does soften and relax with wear, but only a little. Our guide on whether leather jackets stretch explains what to expect, so you can buy for comfort on day one.

How a leather jacket should fit on a curvy figure

• Shoulders: the seam sits at the outer edge of your shoulder bone, not past it.
• Bust: zipped, the front lies flat without diagonal creases pointing toward the bust.
• Arms: you can bend your elbows and give yourself a hug without the sleeves pressing.
• Hips: the hem sits smoothly without flaring out or tightening across the seat.
• Open or closed: if you'll mostly wear it open, the shoulders and arms matter most; if you like it zipped, the bust and waist must be right too.

Our leather jacket fit checklist goes through each point in more depth.

Plus size leather jacket styles to try

No style is off-limits. The right choice depends on the look you love and how you'll wear it. These cuts are especially easy to get right:

Asymmetrical moto jackets

The diagonal zip and wide lapels can be worn fully zipped, half open or open with the lapels folded back. That flexibility makes the moto a great first leather jacket at any size. A longer moto adds hip coverage if you prefer it.

Collarless and V-neck jackets

An open neckline draws the eye up and leaves room for scarves and necklaces. With no collar to manage, these jackets also layer neatly under a winter coat.

Longer jackets and trench coats

A long jacket or trench adds warmth and moves smoothly over the hips. A belted trench lets you decide each day whether to define the waist or wear it loose.

Bombers and truckers

A bomber's ribbed hem gathers at the waist, which some women love and others find too snug over the hips. A trucker's straight hem is the easier fit of the two. Our guide to women's leather jacket styles compares more cuts side by side.

Three pieces from our range that put these ideas into practice are the Women's Black Lambskin Long Moto Jacket, the Women's Brown Leather V-Neck Jacket and the Women's Brown Lambskin Double-Breasted Trench Coat.

Women's Black Lambskin Long Moto Jacket Women's Brown Leather V-Neck Jacket Women's Brown Lambskin Double-Breasted Trench Coat

Choosing the leather and the details

Lambskin is soft and supple from the first wear, drapes over curves and is light enough to wear all day. Cowhide is firmer and more structured, and it takes longer to soften. Our leather types page explains how each one looks and feels.

Small details make a difference too. Adjustable features such as a waist belt, snap tabs and zip cuffs let you fine-tune the fit after the jacket arrives. A zip-out or quilted liner adds warmth but also bulk, so leave room for it when you measure.

How made to measure works

If one size never fits your shoulders, bust and hips at once, made to measure takes the guesswork out. Your jacket is cut from your measurements rather than scaled from a standard pattern.

1. Choose "Customise Size (made to measure)" on the product page and place your order.
2. Measure your chest (at the fullest part of the bust), shoulders, sleeve length, waist, hips and jacket length. Our guide on how to measure for a leather jacket shows where to place the tape.
3. Email info@whiteburaq.com with your order number and your measurements, plus any notes, such as snug sleeves or the length you prefer.

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 business days elsewhere. Because they're cut to your numbers, made-to-measure pieces can't be returned, so measure carefully. Wear the bra you'd normally wear under a jacket, keep the tape level and ask a friend to help with the back and sleeves. The made-to-measure page covers the full process.

FAQ

Should I size up in a leather jacket if I'm plus size?

Choose the size that fits your shoulders, then check the bust, arms and hips. If sizing up is the only way to close the front, made to measure usually gives a better result than a jacket that's too wide at the shoulders.

What leather jacket style suits a curvy figure?

Any style can, as long as the fit is right. Moto, collarless and belted styles are especially easy to adapt to how you like to wear them.

Will a leather jacket stretch over time?

Leather relaxes slightly and molds to your body, particularly soft lambskin, but it won't gain a full size. Choose a jacket that zips comfortably from the start.

Can I wear a leather jacket open?

Yes, and many women prefer it. If you'll mostly wear it open, focus on a good fit across the shoulders and arms.

A plus size leather jacket should fit you, not the other way around. Check the size guide, browse our women's leather jackets, and choose made to measure on any style you love if the chart doesn't match your shape.