Measuring the chest of a jacket is fundamental for ensuring proper garment fit, especially when purchasing clothing online or comparing sizes across different brands. This measurement provides the most reliable data point for matching a jacket to a body’s dimensions, moving beyond generic small, medium, or large labels. Understanding this process allows consumers to accurately compare a specific garment’s size against a manufacturer’s chart or to verify the work of a tailor.
Preparation: Tools and Jacket Setup
The process begins with selecting the correct measuring instrument: a flexible tape measure made of cloth or vinyl. Unlike a rigid ruler, a flexible tape conforms to the garment’s contours without introducing measurement error from stiffness. This flexibility is important for accurately spanning the fabric across the chest area, ensuring the tape lies flat against the material.
Next, the jacket must be prepared by laying it flat on a smooth, hard surface, such as a large table or a clean floor, to eliminate any unevenness that could skew the reading. Before taking any measurements, ensure the jacket is fully fastened, meaning all buttons are secured or the main zipper is completely closed. This action stabilizes the front panels and mimics the garment’s natural resting shape when worn, preventing the front edges from curling.
Gently smooth out any wrinkles or folds, particularly across the front chest area and the back panel. Slack in the fabric will artificially inflate the final measurement. The jacket should be positioned with the front facing up and the sleeves laid out flat to the sides. This ensures the fabric is relaxed and ready for a precise measurement.
The Standard Method for Measuring the Chest
The physical measurement begins by identifying the specific points of reference on the garment. The chest measurement is defined by the distance between the two armpit seams, also known as the armscye. These seams represent the widest point of the jacket’s torso and are the standardized starting and stopping points for this dimension.
To start, place the zero end of the flexible tape measure precisely at the armpit seam on one side of the jacket, ensuring the tape is aligned with the seam’s apex. This point is the junction of the side seam, the shoulder seam, and the sleeve seam, providing a consistent reference point regardless of the jacket’s style. The tape measure must then be pulled taut and straight across the front of the jacket, maintaining a horizontal line parallel to the jacket’s bottom hem.
Resist the urge to follow the natural curve of the jacket’s lapels or the three-dimensional shape of the chest area. The measurement must be taken as a straight, two-dimensional line from one armscye to the other. This technique captures the true flat width of the garment, which is the industry standard for sizing.
The tape measure should pass directly over the highest point of the chest, typically just below the armpit opening, avoiding any pockets or decorative elements that might interfere with the straight path. When reading the tape, ensure your eye level is directly above the measurement mark to avoid parallax error, which can introduce minor inaccuracies.
Ensure the tape measure does not pull the fabric inward or push it outward, which would distort the reading. The goal is to measure the fabric as it naturally lies flat on the surface. This single measurement is the foundational data point used to determine the jacket’s full chest size for comparison against sizing charts.
Converting the Flat Measurement to a Full Size
The number recorded from the armpit-to-armpit measurement is not the final chest size used in sizing charts; it represents only the front half of the jacket’s circumference. To determine the full chest size, this flat measurement must be accurately doubled. This conversion is a necessary step because sizing charts and tailor measurements always refer to the full circumference of the garment or the body.
For example, if the flat measurement taken across the chest is 20 inches, the full chest size of the jacket is calculated as 40 inches. This 40-inch figure is the number that should be compared directly against a brand’s published size chart. Understanding this doubling rule prevents the common mistake of misinterpreting a jacket’s size, which can lead to ordering a garment that is far too small.
This doubled number is the standardized metric for assessing fit. It allows for a direct comparison between the garment’s capacity and the wearer’s body measurement, ensuring the jacket will close comfortably around the torso.
Tips for Maximum Accuracy
A reliable practice is to measure the jacket twice, lifting and repositioning the tape measure between readings to confirm the result. If the two measurements differ, a third reading should be taken to identify the consistent value.
Maintaining the correct tension on the tape measure is important. The tape should be taut enough to eliminate slack but never so tight that it stretches the fabric, which would artificially increase the measurement. It is also important to smooth out the back panel of the jacket, as wrinkles on the reverse side can pull the front fabric and distort the flat measurement.
Remember that this process measures the garment itself, not the body. Body measurements are taken differently, typically with a slight allowance for movement. The final jacket chest size should be slightly larger than the wearer’s actual body measurement to allow for comfort and the clothing worn underneath.