How perfect should a leather jacket fit? - YouLookFab Forum

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How perfect should a leather jacket fit?

JAileen

Veteran

I bought this jacket from Eddie Bauer. I liked it because it's a little longer and has a lot of pockets. I think it fits my very casual nonworking life. The leather feels nice.

http://www.eddiebauer.com/cata.....hInfo=T307

In the description it says it is sized to fit over a sweater. I ordered a large and an extra large, just in case.

Well...
The large fits nicely over a tee shirt. With a very thin sweater, it's a little snug through the shoulders. The waist is roomy but has side tabs to snug it up.

Then...
I opened up the extra large box, and instead of the XL leather jacket it had a red and black plaid blazer. In petite! That wasn't very funny! OK, so I can't compare the fit until I actually get the right jacket.

My question: Will the shoulders stretch any? The jacket is fully lined. Obviously, I'm going to return the plaid blazer, but I wonder if the XL will fit any better right out of the box. Is there any chance the large will stretch enough through the shoulders? I'm also concerned that the XL will be too large all over, except for the shoulders. Should I return it? In my climate, I was planning to wear it with a sweater. With just a tee, I think it wouldn't be warm enough.

Also, the color in real life is a dark chocolate brown, not the interesting taupe as pictured. The color is ok.

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20 replies

Latest reply was from JAileen

Word Lily

Veteran

If it's not comfortable in the shoulders, it doesn't fit. There's definitely the worry that the rest of the jacket will be too big in the XL, but I don't think you can know that for sure without trying it on.

JAileen

Veteran

Ok, I returned the red and black plaid blazer, which wasn't easy, since I never bought it in the first place. I told the SA that none of this would have been necessary if they simply had the jackets in the store. She agreed, and said she thought the shoulders would stretch. However, my quick internet search had mixed results.

I should get the other jacket in a week or so, and hopefully the shoulders won't be snug, and the rest of it won't be too baggy.

For those of you with snug leather jackets: have they stretched?

karymk

Veteran

Okay, since they sent you a plaid blazer, you get to keep the leather one free. Gee whiz!

Joyce B

Veteran

I think it's a good idea to get the XL to compare it to the one you got. That way you can make your decision without having any doubts about whether or not you should have gotten the larger size.
I am also looking into a leather jacket and I bought a few to try on and then return. The ones in my size fit nicer but the larger size can be worn over a sweater, is comfortable and still looks nice. I think outerwear should fit over a sweater or jacket, depending on the case.
Best of luck with your decision.

JAileen

Veteran

The large fits great over a long sleeved tee shirt, but is snug with even a very light weight sweater, and without a sweater I think the jacket wouldn't be warm enough. I have several size large Eddie Bauer jackets and they are big enough for a bulky sweater. So I don't know what's going on!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

At Danier, they always go on and on about buying jackets on the snug side. As in, they think you ought to, Because they will stretch with body heat.

And they always quote me stories about SAs who had to get their jackets altered (as in taken in) because they stretched out so much. They always want to put me in a smaller size than I eventually buy.

Honestly? I don't get it. I looked at the one SA they were talking about. Her jacket was just way too tight; it looked unflattering! I don't know how it looked to begin with, but what she was wearing was not a good look.

I bought mine primarily as "indoor" jackets that would also be used as an outdoor layer in not-too-cold weather. They fit well with a shirt and thin sweater. They don't feel comfortable with a big bulky sweater underneath. They fit properly in the shoulders and do not feel constraining when I stretch my arms out or across. However, the body portions are on the snug side when done up. I figure that type of snugness will stretch out a bit and relax, and that's okay. Sort of like a glove, you know? But no more than a glove.

JAileen

Veteran

I envision this jacket for errand running, lunch out, etc., during the day. At night, though, I think it wouldn't be warm enough. I guess I 'll have to see how the next size up works. I also have to think about how much stretch I might experience. Occasionally it gets really cold here (highs in the 20s F) and then of course I would wear a really warm jacket. Right now the shoulders are a bit snug with a very thin sweater. I don't want to wear a bulky sweater, but a medium sweater might be nice!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The jacket you linked to looks like an "outdoor wear" style primarily to me, so I would certainly want to wear a sweater underneath. Sveta is a real pro at this -- she buys two different sizes, depending both on style and purpose. At least one of her Daniers she considers primarily outerwear and the others she considers primarily indoor wear but with outdoor function in transitional season -- sort of the way I see mine. Mine are not as light as might be ideal for indoor (esp. the white one) but they are not too bad.

JAileen

Veteran

I think my climate is not in the same league as Canada! But it does get quite cold at times. But typically, our winter days range from the teens to the 50s F, and sunny. I think this jacket would work in that context. What I don't understand is why they don't have the jacket in the store!

Gigi

Veteran

I don't know much (OK, anything) about leather jackets, but for me the problem with the idea of the leather stretching is that the jacket is probably lined inside. So unless the lining stretches first, it seems to me that the leather will not stretch. With shoes, it's different, as the leather is right next to your foot. I think you are wise to wait for the XL, although I'm sure it's incredibly frustrating! At least EB stands behind its products and hopefully is giving you good customer service.

rae

(website)

Veteran

If you want to wear a heavier sweater, you have to try the size up, IMO.

IME with leather jackets (and I have bought and resold quite a few now!), you have to wear them quite a bit to get them to stretch the way the Danier salespeople say - and honestly, those ladies work in a leather jacket store. Obviously they are going to wear their jackets way more than the average bear. Plus, they work indoors and aren't layering big sweaters under, so a tighter/second-skin fit is more appealing to them. Does not sound like a reliable predictor for your own use.

JAileen

Veteran

Yes, I wondered how the leather could stretch with a lining. The SA said it would though. I want to be able to wear a medium weight sweater, and I don't plan to wear it indoors much, primarily outdoors or in the car.

Deborah

Veteran

I really don't have a lot of experience to speak from with leather, but my opinion is a jacket needs to fit well and properly when we buy it. I would try the next size up and that way you have a good gauge on which is going to be best for you. BTW , it's a really nice looking jacket.

Anonymous

Ah man, I like my leather jackets snug when the material is thicker and not as snug when the material is thinner. Why? because I think the thicker material adds a lot of bulk to my frame when it is not snug, since it will no drape or fall. it would be this static piece of material bulking me up.

For this jacket, I would err in the side of snug. Too big and it is not going to look modern, plus those pockets are going to protude out. I would aim for a fit just like the model.

Glory

Veteran

I think it will stretch a wee bit so it will depend on how much is needed to make it comfortable for you. Do you like jackets to be roomy or on the snug side? The Danier leather jackets do stretch over time but my feeling is that they give a bit.

Neel

Veteran

Just wanted to say the jacket looks fantastic! Can't wait to see you style it! I have not much experience with layering so I will skip the advice part. Not much use I know!

JAileen

Veteran

I don 't know how much this jacket will stretch, if at all. I want the jacket to be comfortable - something I can throw on over whatever I'm wearing (except bulky sweaters) and look nice - sporty, modern and cool, but not sloppy. I would like it to be my Go To jacket.

I'm afraid the XL will be too large all around except for the shoulders. This is strange because I am not a weight lifter! Well, we shall see...

I just got an email from Eddie Bauer for a customer satisfaction survey. Oh the irony!

ETA: wanting to look cool is probably impossible. One can try, though!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I notice they show it over a bulky sweater in one of the photos. It's definitely meant to be an outdoor kind of jacket then -- and you'd want to be able to layer over it.

rute

Veteran

oh.. how annoying! The taupe color was gorgeous!
Leather stretches a bit, but not at the shoulders.
Can you take a photo of the L for us too see if it's ok?

JAileen

Veteran

Yes, they show a bulky sweater!

Yes, I wish it were taupe, my new favorite color. However, the chocolate brown is ok. I would take a picture, but I also need an elixir of courage. The main thing is, the large feels snug.