A sports coat should fit you in the shoulders, gradually taper to the waist and leave enough room in the chest and stomach to comfortably button the coat.
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The Right Size
Sports coats come in a range of sizes, so it’s important to find the right size for you. The best way to do this is to take your measurements. You’ll need to measure your chest, waist, and sleeve length. Once you have your measurements, you can use a size chart to find the right size coat for you.
Sleeves
Once you’ve found a sports coat that fits in the chest and waist, it’s time to check the sleeves. The sleeve length should be just long enough to show a quarter to a half inch of shirt cuff. To determine this, lift your arm slightly and bend your elbow as if you were holding a cocktail. (Don’t actually hold a cocktail; that would make it hard to try on sports coats.) The bottom of the sports coat sleeve should fall right at the crease of your elbow. If it’s too long, you’ll look like an aging uncle at a wedding; if it’s too short, you’ll look like an aging fraternity brother at a reunion.
Length
When it comes to the length of your sports coat, you will want to make sure that it falls somewhere between your natural waistline and your mid-thigh. The coat should be long enough to cover your behind, but not so long that it becomes a nuisance when you sit down or move around. If you are tall or have a long torso, you may want to err on the side of a longer coat. Conversely, if you are shorter or have a shorter torso, you will want to go with a shorter coat.
Shoulders
Your coat’s shoulder line should extend to the edge of your natural shoulder—no further. This will ensure the garment hangs properly and doesn’t cover too much of your arm (limiting your range of motion) or make your shoulders look broader than they are.
If you have broader shoulders, look for a garment with slightly extended shoulder lines (also called “patched” shoulders). This will help improve the fit without adding excess fabric. If you have narrower shoulders, avoid garments with extended shoulder lines, as they will make your frame look even narrower.
Chest
To find your chest size, measure around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms, keeping the measuring tape horizontal.
The Right Fit
A sports coat is the perfect way to add a touch of sophistication to your look. But how do you make sure you’re choosing the right fit? It’s all about the details. Here’s what you need to keep in mind when you’re shopping for a sports coat.
Jacket buttons
Every sports coat has a different number of buttons, so it’s important that you know which one is right for you.
Two-button jackets are the most popular style, but they come in different fits. The traditional fit has a little more room in the chest and waist, while the slim fit is cut closer to the body. If you’re muscular or have a broad frame, you might want to try a three-button jacket.
The number of buttons on your jacket should correspond to your build. If you’re taller or have a long torso, opt for a three-button jacket. If you’re shorter or have a stocky build, go for a two-button jacket.
Once you’ve found the right fit, it’s time to button up! Generally speaking, you should only button the top button of your sports coat. If you’re wearing a vest underneath, you can button all the buttons.
Lapels
The first thing you need to do is identify your frame. If you’re slimmer, you need slim lapels that are two and a quarter to two and a half inches wide. If you have a larger frame, go for broader lapels that are two and a half to three inches wide. The next lapel consideration is the stance, which is determined by how high the buttoning point is. A lower buttoning point makes for a shorter and therefore more modern look, while a higher buttoning point will result in a longer and more traditional look.
Sleeves
The sleeves of your sports coat should come to about the middle of your hand, with half to a full inch of shirt cuff showing. Check the fit in both a walking and sitting position — you don’t want the jacket pulling at the shoulders when you move.
Common alterations to improve the fit of the sleeves include shortening or lengthening them and tapering them slightly to create a neater appearance. Let your tailor know if you frequently wear shirts with French cuffs so that they can adjust the sleeves accordingly.
Shoulders
Your sports coat should hug your shoulders snugly. If you have broad shoulders, go for a style with nipped-in waist and roomier chest. This will ensure a well-tailored look. If you have sloped shoulders, choose a style with pads to give them some definition.
Torso
The torso of a sports coat is the most important aspect to consider when fitting a sports coat. The torso includes the chest, waist and hips. Most importantly, the chest is the key measurement when fitting a sports coat. The chest is measured from one side of the seam under the armpit to the other. To ensure an accurate measurement, stand up straight with your arms relaxed at your sides. It is important to round up to the nearest even number when taking this measurement. For example, if your chest measures 40 inches, you would round up to 42 inches.
The Right Style
A well-fitting sports coat is an essential item in any man’s wardrobe. But with so many different styles and cuts available, it can be tricky to find the right one for you. In this article, we’ll break down the different types of sports coats and how to choose the right one for your body type.
Single-breasted vs. double-breasted
The number of buttons on a sports coat indicate if it is single or double-breasted. As a general rule, single-breasted sports coats will have two or three buttons while double-breasted sports coats will have four or six. The number of buttons you choose is a matter of personal preference, but it is worth noting that double-breasted sports coats tend to make men look larger than they actually are.
Single-breasted
A single-breasted sports coat has one column of buttons down the center of the garment. This is the most common style and can be worn with both casual and formal attire. Single-breasted sports coats are available in a variety of cuts, including slim, regular and relaxed.
Double-breasted
A double-breasted sports coat has two columns of buttons, with one overlapping the other. This style is less common than the single-breasted and is typically worn as part of a more formal outfit. Double-breasted sports coats are available in both slim and regular cuts.
Lapel style
Your choice of sports coat lapel also says a lot about your style. Notch lapels are the most versatile and can be worn with any type of shirt and tie combination, making them ideal for both casual and formal looks. Peak lapels, on the other hand, are generally reserved for more formal occasions. And while some double-breasted sports coats do come with notch lapels, the vast majority have peaked lapels.
Pockets
Not all sports coats have pockets and not all pockets are created equal. Some have flaps, some don’t. Some are sewn in, some are not. For the most part, you’re going to want a jacket with flapped pockets that are sewn in. This is the most traditional look and it will serve you well in most situations.
The flap adds a bit of formality and refinement to the jacket and makes it dressier than one without a flap. The flap also helps keep your belongings in your pocket and prevents them from falling out when you sit down. And since the flap is sewn in, it can’t be lost like a detachable one could be.
If you do go with a jacket that has patch pockets (a flat pocket without a flap), know that it will be more casual. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is something to be aware of.
Vents
Vents are the slits in the bottom back of the jacket that allow for easy movement and breathability. Jackets usually have either two or three vents. Three vents are more traditional, while two vents are more modern. Vents also affect how a jacket hangs on your body. Two vents will make the coat hang straighter, while three vents will make it hangs more relaxed.
There are different types of vents, too: -Center vent: A slit down the center of the back, this is the most traditional kind of venting and is often seen on suits as well as sports coats. -Side vents: These are two slits on either side of the jacket near the bottom. Side vents are very common on sports coats and suit jackets in America.
-No vents: This style is seen on some European jackets and is becoming increasingly popular in America as well. Jackets with no vents usually have a higher number of buttons (four or six) to help keep the fabric closed across the back.