With three definitions of correct clothing fits these days — tailored, body con and oversized — creating guidelines on how to fit a jacket is not as straightforward as it used to be. Add in the intricacies of design detailing that affect fit and things get even more blurry. But it’s worthwhile understanding the basics of how to fit a tailored jacket like a blazer as a starting point. Note: We are NOT talking about outerwear like coats and puffers.  

Make sure you’re wearing the correct layers underneath the jacket before you check it for fit. Stick to a shirt, blouse or lightweight sweater plus underwear. Here are the guidelines:

• Shoulder Fit: The shoulder seams should fit squarely on either side of your shoulders. But if the jacket has “sharp shoulders” (a trendy and modern version of shoulder pads), the shoulder seams should fit wider than the edge of your shoulders. A jacket with dropped shoulder seams will fit two to three inches below the edge of the shoulder. 
• Bust Fit: The jacket should skim comfortably over the bust without wrinkles, and as far as possible the bust darts should be in the right place. It’s first prize for the jacket to fit well when buttoned or zipped. However, fitting a jacket over a large bust line so that it fits everywhere and doesn’t pull at the bust is a very tall order. That’s why purchasing a jacket that fits but does not close is fine by me, because we leave our jackets open 90% of the time anyway. Furthermore, pear shaped lasses might find that jackets fit everywhere but that last button pulls when you fasten it. Leave the jacket open and your fit challenge is solved. Of course, outerwear that protects you from the elements MUST fit when it’s closed.
• Armhole Height: Make sure that things don’t look and feel tight under the arm. And sometimes armholes can be cut too long for your frame and look off too. 
• Waist Fit: The waist should skim over the contour of your body and be in the right place, so check that it’s not too high or low — both in front and at the back. 
• Back Fit: If the jacket wrinkles because it’s pulling, the fit is too snug or the armholes are cut too small for your frame. But jackets can also wrinkle when they are too large, so watch out for those wrinkles too. 
• Sleeve Fit: The silhouette of the sleeve can make or break the look. If the sleeves are bunching and creating lines on your arms from pulling, they are too tight. Size up or choose a jacket with a roomier sleeve shape. If the sleeves are not streamlined enough, but the rest of the jacket fits, choose a jacket with a slimmer sleeve fit. 
• Sleeve Length: I prefer jackets with longer sleeves, so I’m going to suggest three quarters of an inch over the wrist as a great length. An inch is also good. Longer than that, and things start to look ill-fitting. 
• Overall Length: This depends on your style preference and what you find flattering. Generally, shorter jackets that end on the high hip bone, or a few inches below your bottom, are flattering. Jackets that end in between these points need to be assessed case by case. 
• Stance Position: A stance is where the highest button on a jacket hits the chest. Its position depends on your style preferences too. Some prefer low stances whereas others prefer high stances. Just make sure you like the position of the stance when you fit a jacket. 

A few extra fitting tips: 

• Comfort Factor: Can you drive, comfortably sling a bag over your shoulder, and pick up a child or pet wearing the jacket? Do the reach test. Remember that you are not expected to do a yoga class and jumping jacks in a jacket so don’t go overboard with the comfort factor. 
• Rolling: If the jacket keeps on rolling back off your shoulders while it’s unfastened, hang it back on the rack. Jackets should stay put. 
• Individual preferences: Some of my clients like their tailored jackets very fitted, when to my eye they look a little snug. And I like my tailored fits just a little roomier than most, and to some, my jackets might not seem fitted enough. So take into account your personal fit preferences too. After all, YOU have to wear the jacket and feel fabulous in it. 

Once you’ve got a handle on how to properly fit a tailored jacket, you’ll find it easier to achieve the correct fit on body con and oversized styles. But if you’re still unsure, feel free to ask those questions on our forum and we’ll help you out. 

Do you find jackets hard to fit? If so, what are your fit challenges?

Sleeved dresses in sturdier fabrications are still few and far between, especially if you’re after a style in a longer length. Although most of these dresses are still above the knee, remember that the models are tall, and that the dresses could fall at a longer length on you. 

• Eliza J Blouson Sleeve Belted A-Line Dress: The colour is delicious. Grecian meets Mod. Loving the fitted cut that’s just ever so slightly loose. 
• Eliza J Split Cuff Boatneck Shift Dress: Here’s the same fabrication in a different silhouette. A little more modern, less flirty and just my cup of tea. I love this dress! 
• Michael Kors ‘Chain’ Shirtdress: Great in Summer with sandals, and fab in Fall with boots. 
• Eliza J Side Three Quarter Sleeve Drape Jersey Dress: Looks equally fab on straight and curvy body types.
• Nicole Miller Illusion Sleeve Lace Overlay Sheath Dress: Nicole Miller generally makes stunning sheath dresses and this is no exception. The neckline is low, but you could wear a bra with a built-in lace inset from Soma Intimates if you’d prefer more coverage. 
• Anne Klein Ombré Zebra Print Dress: Ideal for broad shouldered lasses and those with a fuller bust. If you have dainty shoulders and a long neck like I do, this wide scoop neckline is NOT flattering. 
• Vince Camuto Dolman Sleeve Print Dress: Again, you need broad shoulders and/or a full bust to fill out this type of dress. I love the casual elegance of the style. Fab over skinnies too. 
• Eliza J Stripe Fit & Flare Dress: A flirty classic with fun back detailing. 

I’ve been so into trousers for the last few years that I’ve barely given frocks a glance for my own style, especially because so many of them have been flimsy and too short. I might be a devil and snap up a frock for Summer. Or I might stick to full skirts.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of shopping both in stores and online. Have I missed anything? Please add your point of view in the comments. 

Store Shopping

Pros:

• You can see and feel the item, which gives you a great indication of quality, cut and colour straight off the bat.
• You do not need to purchase the item in order to fit it on. If it doesn’t work out, you can leave it in the dressing room.
• You can enjoy the ambiance and social nature of the retail experience.
• The sales staff (if they are helpful).

Cons:

• Traipsing to brick and mortar stores is a time-consuming and tiring process.
• You are restricted to shopping within store hours.
• Lack of variety.
• Some stores are crowded and overwhelming.
• The sales staff (if they are annoying).

Online Shopping

Pros:

• You can make a purchase at any time. The convenience and ease of this shopping process cannot be beat. 
• Larger variety of merchandise, which means that you can often find particular items in very specific sizes online that you can’t find in stores. 
• The ability to compare prices instantly.
• Sometimes items are cheaper online than they are in physical stores.

Cons:

• You have to purchase the item to fit it on.
• You end up returning a lot of items because you couldn’t judge them accurately using the photo.
• Shipping costs are sometimes a factor.
• Shopping on the Internet is sometimes a little too easy, potentially leading to unnecessary purchases. 

There is no question that online shopping has revolutionized the fashion and retail industry by enabling more people to shop. I do shop online for footwear in particular because there is a better assortment online. I also like online only sites like YOOX and Shopbop. And every so often I find exactly what I am looking for on Amazon.

But I am still Team Store all the way. I love the hustle and bustle, and being able to see and fit things on before purchasing them. I also love getting out, walking around in a city looking at shops and soaking up the atmosphere. It’s social and appeals to my love of urban life.

What are your main reasons for shopping either in store or online, and which do you prefer? 

It’s also known as the boyfriend denim jacket because it’s roomy all over, as if you “borrowed it from your boyfriend”. The look is fringe for now.

I like oversized clothing, and support the trend wholeheartedly. But when it comes to the quintessential denim jacket, I’m not sold on the big version yet. Perhaps I’ll get used to the look over time, but for the moment I much prefer the tailored rendition. And often, I prefer tailored denim jackets quite cropped too. 

That said, I do like oversized denim vests, which would be these jackets sans their sleeves. That version is more structured somehow, and a fun topper to wear in high Summer over soft fabrications. So I guess it’s the oversized sleeves in thick stiff fabric that are not my cup of tea. What’s your verdict?