Leather Jacket (A-2) Sizing: Calling Leather Jacket Stylists for Assistance on Sizing/Fit - Please H

Greetings,

I am a 24 year old male. My height is 5'7" and I currently weigh 138.7 pounds.

When I measure my chest with a measuring tape (measured snugly while wearing a t-shirt), my chest size is 37.4 inches.

I have become enamored by the following leather jacket and it is surely a beauty that I would like to invest in: USAAF Eastman Type A-2 Slender.

I can't decide whether I should order a size 36 or a size 38. The following link is the jacket maker's sizing chart (please scroll a little bit down until you get to "Jackets and Tops"): the sizing guide.

I have read on various "guide to leather jackets" articles that one who is slim, or works out, or is fit, should rather go down a size to get that "fitted" look.

Therefore, should I get a size 38 or a size 36? Please keep in mind that I lift weights and intend to do so for a very long time. I understand that my chest size may get larger, along with my shoulders, biceps and triceps, and forearms. I mention this simply based on the fact that this jacket will be quite a hefty investment for me, and I intend to wear it for many years to come.

I have heard that leather stretches over the years; does this mean that if I were to get a size 38, as opposed to a size 36, the 38 may become too large for me over the years to come from daily wear?

Another important addition I would like to mention is that I will be wearing either v-neck sweaters or crew-neck sweaters underneath this jacket (I will be wearing this jacket during early to mid Fall and early Spring).

I am also worried about the length of the torso. I believe the torso should end before your groin area; pretty much allowing one to put their hands in the pockets of their jeans without moving the bottom of the jacket upward.

Overall, I'm just confused, or rather, I'm worried that a size 36 will be too small for someone that expects an increase in one's shoulder and arm size from lifting weights and a size 38 may stretch and become large and unflattering.

May the leather jacket stylists of SF please assist me?

I hope this thread is in the correct place. If not, can someone kindly please move it to where the leather jacket stylists on SF may be available to help? Thank you, and a happy belated New Year!

I have no experience with that specific jacket, but I'd say 36.

mike868y said:

I have no experience with that specific jacket, but I'd say 36.

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Thank you for your reply, I am most obliged. My chest will become, most likely, 38.6 inches by the end of this year. Will a size 36 fit that?

Do people with size 38 chests wear a size 36 leather jacket? And what is the usual difference in torso length between a size 36 and 38?

Please keep in mind that I'll be wearing sweaters underneath (like the v-neck sweaters from J-Crew, for example).

Lastly, how long does a leather jacket (in Steerhide) stretch over a 10 year period?

According to the size calculator and the chart you're a 38, cause your chest is 38". If you plan on getting bigger I don't see how a 36 could fit you. If the jacket stretches it will be because you're too big for it, it probably won't stretch much for no reason if it fits you well.

Edit: if you're not sure about the length you could always email their customer service and have them measure it for you. Then just measure yourself to where you think the jacket should end/or a similar jacket that fits you well.

cphead said:

According to the size calculator and the chart you're a 38, cause your chest is 38". If you plan on getting bigger I don't see how a 36 could fit you. If the jacket stretches it will be because you're too big for it, it probably won't stretch much for no reason if it fits you well.

Edit: if you're not sure about the length you could always email their customer service and have them measure it for you. Then just measure yourself to where you think the jacket should end/or a similar jacket that fits you well.

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Dear cphead,

Thank you for your reply, and thank you for keeping in mind that since I am working out/lifting weights, the size of my chest is bound to increase. As per their sizing chart, a size 38 is a small; and a small is for measurements that are 36-38inches. However, I keep reading about people being advised to go down a size. But this advice has usually been given to males that are very, very slim---males that are, as per their BMI, pretty skinny. If a jacket fits really well, does it still stretch over the years? How much would a leather jacket made of Steerhide stretch over a ten year period from constant wear? Would a size 38 go to a size 40? Thank you once again for your reply. And I am currently in the talks with one of the employees at ELC regarding the torso-length of both size 36 and 38.

Going down a size only matters when you're looking at general sizes, ie S M L etc. because measurements for the sizes differ from jacket maker to jacket maker. S M L only gives you a general sense of size. If you have the exact measurements of the jacket, you don't need S M L sizes because you know exactly how the jacket will fit. Their site recommends you to get a 38/S, but you don't know what exactly the measurements for the jacket are, so it's good that you're in contact with them.

Once you know the exact measurements you can figure out exactly what size you want depending on how you want the jacket to fit. Some like them to be tight, others looser so that's up to you. I don't have much experience with steerhide stretching but I assume it won't stretch unless you're putting pressure on it, which means it needs to stretch there anyway in order to fit you/accommodate your movements.

cphead said:

Going down a size only matters when you're looking at general sizes, ie S M L etc. because measurements for the sizes differ from jacket maker to jacket maker. S M L only gives you a general sense of size. If you have the exact measurements of the jacket, you don't need S M L sizes because you know exactly how the jacket will fit. Their site recommends you to get a 38/S, but you don't know what exactly the measurements for the jacket are, so it's good that you're in contact with them.

Once you know the exact measurements you can figure out exactly what size you want depending on how you want the jacket to fit. Some like them to be tight, others looser so that's up to you. I don't have much experience with steerhide stretching but I assume it won't stretch unless you're putting pressure on it, which means it needs to stretch there anyway in order to fit you/accommodate your movements.

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Thank you for your detailed reply, cphead. I am much obliged; and I hope the 38 will fit well. I shall await for more information from the company regarding the torso length. Please have a blessed day and take care.