Leather Vest Size Chart: How to Measure and Choose a Fit

To pick a leather vest size, measure your chest and waist, then match them to the vest columns in the shop's own size chart. Men's vest sizes use neck, chest, waist and height; women's vest sizes add a separate breast measurement. The tables below reproduce those columns in centimeters and inches, and the shop's measuring instructions explain how to take each number.

A vest is sleeveless, so there is no sleeve to forgive a poor fit. The garment hangs from the shoulders and closes at the front, which makes chest and waist the numbers that matter most. For the complete chart, including jacket, pants and suit columns, see the shop's size guide.

The measurements you need

Clothing sizes are built on body dimensions, and sizing systems vary by country and by garment type, as the overview of clothing sizes on Wikipedia explains. That is why Leather Collection publishes its own chart rather than relying on a generic one. For a vest, the chart uses the measurements below, and the wording follows the shop's instructions.

Neck

The shop says to measure 2 cm below the Adam's apple at the front and around the 7th cervical vertebra at the back. That is the bony bump at the base of the neck.

Chest

For men, measure around the chest at its widest point, standing straight and breathing normally. For women, the shop's chest measurement is taken under the breasts, so do not use your fullest-bust number in that column.

Breast (women)

This is taken at the fullest part of the chest, across the nipples, under the arms and closely around the body.

Waist

Measure around the waistline about 5 cm below the navel, during normal breathing, with a relaxed abdomen.

Height

Stand upright without shoes and feet together, and measure vertically from the top of the head to the soles of the feet. Height is listed in the shop chart alongside the other vest measurements.

Men's leather vest size chart

These are the vest columns from the shop's men's chart, listed by US size with EU and international equivalents. Figures are body measurements.

Read across the row that matches your chest first, then check that the waist and height are close. If your chest and waist land in different rows, compare the product page notes and the size guide before ordering.

Women's leather vest size chart

The women's vest columns add the breast measurement. Remember that "chest" here is the under-breast measurement.

Start with the breast and chest figures together, then check the waist and height. The range of women's leather vests on the site lists the styles available, and each product page has its own details.

How a leather vest should fit

A well-fitted vest lies flat across the shoulders and chest, closes without pulling at the zip or snaps, and leaves a little room to breathe. Leather and knit fabric behave differently, and some leathers soften with wear; choose the size that fits comfortably now rather than relying on stretch.

• Shoulders: seams at the shoulder edge, no pulling across the upper back when you reach forward.
• Chest: the front closes fully, with no horizontal creases radiating from the closure.
• Armholes: high enough not to gape, loose enough not to rub the underarm.
• Length: the hem should clear the belt line without riding up when you sit.

The Wikipedia entry on the vest notes the long-standing convention of leaving the bottom button of a single-breasted vest undone, reportedly to prevent pulling when sitting or riding. The same logic applies to a leather vest: check the hem and lowest closure while seated.

Allowing for layers and riding position

Decide what you will wear under the vest before you pick a size. A vest sized for a T-shirt may feel tight over a thick flannel or a hooded sweatshirt. If your numbers sit between two rows, think about the layers you wear most often before choosing.

Riders should also test the fit in the saddle position. Lean forward with your hands out as if on handlebars: a vest that feels fine standing can ride up at the back or pull across the shoulder blades. Examples to compare include the biker vest with pockets and the perforated summer vest . The product page lists adjustable side buckles for the first and perforated panels with adjustable side laces for the second.

A vest is a style layer, not a replacement for protective riding gear. If protection is a goal, look at a jacket designed for it and check what armour option the product page and order form offer, then ask for the documentation. The range of men's leather clothing includes vests alongside jackets and other pieces for comparison.

Common sizing mistakes

• Using a T-shirt size: knit shirts and leather behave differently, so a shirt size is a poor guide.
• Mixing up the women's columns: chest is taken under the breasts and breast at the fullest part, so measure both.
• Reading jacket or pants columns: sleeve, hip and inseam are not part of the vest chart.
• Trusting the tag letter: the same label can fit differently between brands, which is why the maker's chart is the reference.
• Sizing down for a snug look: a vest that is too tight restricts breathing and arm movement and wears at the closure.

When a standard size does not fit

If your measurements fall in two different rows, a made-to-order garment may suit you better than a standard size. Leather Collection has made hand-stitched, made-to-order leather garments since 2009, and its made-to-measure page explains the process. It asks you to have a second person take the measurements, on bare skin, standing with muscles relaxed and feet together, using a flexible tape held snug without pinching, and to record every number in writing and follow the diagrams.

You can submit the numbers through the online measurement form, or download the PDF version of the form. The page for the custom motorcycle jackets lists a Custom Size option, with body measurements submitted through the measurement form after ordering. For a short women's style, the short leather vest page lists a slim-fit cut with dual adjustable belts at the hem.

Written by the Leather Collection Editorial Team.