Most leather jacket brands stop at 2XL. If you wear 3XL, 4XL or 5XL, you have probably been offered a "big" jacket that was simply a large one scaled up, with sleeves that stop short and a body that bunches. This guide covers how big and tall leather jackets should be cut, how to measure for one, which styles work best and how Arvo sizes every jacket up to 5XL.
Big, tall, or both?
"Big and tall" lumps together two different needs.
- Big means a larger chest and waist at average height. You need more room across the body and shoulders, with sleeve and body length only slightly longer.
- Tall means longer arms and torso at an average or athletic build. You need extra sleeve and body length without extra width.
- Big and tall needs both, and that is the combination standard grading handles worst.
Knowing which you are tells you what to check on a size chart: chest and shoulder for big, sleeve and length for tall.
How a big and tall leather jacket should fit
The rules from our fit guide still apply: shoulder seams on the shoulder bone, a flat hand's room at the chest when zipped, cuffs at the wrist bone, hem at the belt line for a biker or the hip for a bomber. Two extra points matter at larger sizes:
- Do not size up for comfort. A jacket that is too wide in the shoulders looks worse than one that is snug in the body. Leather relaxes in the body with wear; it never shrinks in the shoulders.
- Check the armhole. Larger sizes sometimes have armholes cut too low, which restricts arm movement. Lift your arms forward; the whole jacket should not rise with them.
How to measure
Use a soft tape over a tee shirt and compare to garment measurements, not to a letter size.
- Chest: around the fullest part, tape level. Add 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) for a comfortable leather jacket fit; add 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) for a slim biker.
- Shoulders: across the back, bone to bone.
- Sleeve: shoulder bone to wrist bone with the arm slightly bent.
- Length: base of the neck to where you want the hem.
Our size guide lists garment measurements by size. If your measurements fall across two sizes, for example a 3XL chest with 5XL sleeves, a made-to-measure jacket is the right answer rather than compromising.
Styles that work well in large sizes
Cafe racer. Clean lines and no belt or lapels mean nothing to add visual width. The best choice for a big build who wants a leather jacket that does not shout.
Trucker jacket. A straight body and shirt collar sit easily on a larger frame, and the button front gives a little more give than a zip.
Bomber. The ribbed hem and cuffs sit neatly, and the slightly roomier body is designed in. Avoid very short bombers if you are tall.
Biker (double rider). Works well on broad shoulders and a defined waist: the belt takes in the waist and the lapels frame the chest. On a rounder build, choose a biker with a straight hem rather than a belt.
Leather vest. The easiest fit of all and the classic rider's layer. See leather vests.
Coats. A three-quarter leather coat suits tall wearers and adds presence on a big frame. See leather coats.
Leather choice at larger sizes
Weight matters more when there is more jacket. A 5XL cowhide biker is a substantial garment; a 5XL sheepskin cafe racer is noticeably lighter and more comfortable for all-day wear. If you want the toughness of a heavier hide at a lower weight, goatskin is the compromise; read our goatskin guide. For most big and tall buyers, sheepskin is the leather to start with.
How Arvo sizes to 5XL
Every style has a graded pattern from XXS to 5XL rather than a scaled-up large, so shoulder width, sleeve length and body length each increase at their own rate. The big and tall collection lists every jacket available in 3XL, 4XL or 5XL, which is almost the whole range. Prices are the same as smaller sizes: no surcharge for larger sizes, and everything is under $200.
If you are very tall or need a non-standard combination, the custom jacket page lets you specify chest, shoulder, sleeve and length individually; we cut to your measurements and quote within 24 hours.
Common mistakes
- Buying by letter size from another brand. A 3XL varies by several inches between brands; use the garment measurements.
- Choosing a thick shearling jacket and then layering a heavy sweater underneath. Shearling is the layer.
- Ignoring sleeve length. Short sleeves are the most visible sign of a jacket that does not fit.
- Assuming black is the only slimming choice. Dark brown and burgundy are as flattering and age better; see black vs brown.
Frequently asked questions
Do you charge more for 4XL and 5XL?
No. Every size of a style is the same price.
What if the 5XL is still too small?
Use the custom jacket page. We can cut beyond 5XL to your measurements.
Can I exchange if the size is wrong?
Yes, exchanges are free within 7 days of delivery. Try the jacket on indoors with tags attached.
Which Arvo jacket is best for a tall, slim build?
A cafe racer or belted biker in your chest size, with the sleeve measurement checked, or a custom jacket with extra sleeve and body length.