How To Ensure Your Winter Coat Is The Perfect Fit

A good winter coat is a must-have for every wardrobe, but it can be tricky to find one that’s the perfect fit. Should you size up so you can wear a jumper or fleece underneath? How tight should it be? What length is best for a winter coat? To help you decide, we’ve covered everything you need to know in this guide.

How do I know my coat size?

When it comes to winter coats, your regular size is a good place to start. However, it’s important to bear in mind that no matter how cosy your winter coat is, you might want to wear an extra layer underneath on colder days. That means it’s important to check your coat isn’t too tight, particularly if you’re going to be wearing it for activities like hiking or skiing.

One good way of testing if your coat is too tight or not is to perform the hug test. Try on your new coat, and with it zipped up, reach your arms out in front of you as though you’re about to hug a loved one. If you’re struggling to raise your arms, it’s a definite sign that the coat is too small.

If you can manage a hug, but your movement feels restricted around your shoulders or elbows, then you might want to try the next size up.

Remember that different jackets will fit differently. You might want your waterproof jacket to be a bit looser so you can wear it over a fleece or down jacket, while you may want a more fitted Nuptse Jacket, which will keep you warm without any extra layers. Either way, to ensure you get the best fit, it’s a good idea to look at the coat’s measurements. 

How do you measure a woman’s jacket size?

You should measure yourself rather than the jacket to make sure you get the best fit. 

• Firstly, measure your chest by wrapping a measuring tape under your armpits, around the fullest part of your bust. This will give you your chest size. 

• Then measure your natural waist, usually just above your belly button but below your ribcage. Wrap the measuring tape around your torso to get the measurement. 

• Next, measure your hips with the tape going around the widest part of your hips. 

• Finally, get your arm length by running the tape measure from the base of your neck to your wrist.

Once you’ve got your measurements it’s easy to buy the correct size of jacket, as all of our women’s jackets have a sizing chart on the product page. Simply find the measurements that correlate to your own, and that’s the size for you. If you want a looser fit, consider sizing up.

How long should your winter coat be?

The perfect length depends on what you’re looking for from your winter coat and also what activities you’ll be doing while wearing it. If you’re looking for a cosy jacket to keep you warm, you might want to go for a longer coat, like our Women’s Arctic Parka - but if you want something you can wear hiking a shorter coat is more practical, like the Men’s Dryzzle FUTURELIGHT™ Insulated Jacket.

If you opt for a shorter coat, check that it doesn’t ride up over your stomach when you raise your arms over your head. 

Of course, this advice doesn’t apply if you choose a cropped jacket like the Nuptse Short Jacket. 

For ultimate warmth, choose a long padded jacket like the Triple C Parka. This breathable jacket comes below the knees and is perfect for everyday warmth on your commute, when hanging out with friends, or heading to and from the gym.

Ready to find your perfect winter coat? Our jacket finder will help you out in five easy steps.