A custom leather jacket used to mean a tailor, three fittings and a price with a comma in it. It no longer has to. This guide walks through how to design a custom leather jacket with Arvo: the choices you will make, what each one changes, what it costs, how long it takes and how to measure yourself so the jacket fits first time.
Who should order custom
- You are between sizes, or your chest, shoulder and sleeve measurements fall in different sizes.
- You are very tall, very broad or need a size beyond 5XL.
- You want a colour, leather or lining combination that is not in the standard range.
- You ride and want armour pockets, a longer back or heavier leather.
- You want a specific detail: a different collar, extra pockets, a name embossed inside, a patch.
If a standard size fits and the style exists in the colour you want, buy the standard jacket; it ships faster and costs less.
The eight design steps
Our custom jacket designer walks through these in order, with a live preview that updates as you choose.
1. Style
Biker (asymmetric zip, belt), cafe racer (band collar, straight zip), bomber (knit cuffs and hem), aviator (fur collar), trucker (shirt collar, buttons), vest, blazer or coat. Style decides the pattern and most of the look; read cafe racer vs biker if you are torn between the two most popular.
2. Leather
Sheepskin for softness and light weight, cowhide for toughness and structure, goatskin for strength at low weight, lambskin for the finest feel. Our leather comparison covers the trade-offs. Finish options include smooth, distressed, waxed and pebbled, depending on the hide.
3. Colour
Black, dark brown, tan, cognac, burgundy, olive, navy, grey, red and more. Not every colour is available in every hide; the designer only shows combinations we can make. See black vs brown for a first-jacket decision.
4. Collar
Band (cafe racer), notched lapel (biker), shirt collar (trucker), knit (bomber), shearling or faux fur (aviator), hood. The collar changes the character of the jacket more than any other detail.
5. Lining
Quilted polyester for three seasons, viscose for a lighter dressier jacket, shearling or faux shearling for winter. Lining also affects fit: shearling takes up room, so we cut for it.
6. Extras
Armour pockets at shoulders, elbows and back; extra inside pockets; zipped cuffs; waist adjusters; contrast stitching; embossed initials; patches you supply. Each extra is priced in the quote.
7. Size
Choose a standard size from XXS to 5XL or enter your own measurements: chest, waist, shoulder, sleeve, back length and, for coats, hip. Garment measurements are what we need, so measure a jacket that fits well, or measure your body and we add the allowance for the style.
8. Contact
Your name, email and any notes. We reply with a quote, a sketch of the final design and a timeline, usually within 24 hours.
What a custom jacket costs
Custom pricing starts near the standard range and rises with the hide, lining and extras. As a rough guide: a custom sheepskin cafe racer in a standard colour and size costs about the same as its ready-made equivalent plus a small made-to-order premium; shearling lining, heavy cowhide, armour pockets and non-standard sizes add to that. Every quote is itemised so you can remove options to hit a budget. We do not charge extra for larger sizes.
How long it takes
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| Quote and design confirmation | Within 24 hours of your request |
| Cutting, stitching, lining, finishing | 10 to 15 working days |
| Shipping with tracking | 7 to 14 working days depending on country |
| Total | Roughly 3 to 5 weeks door to door |
How to measure for a custom jacket
- Chest: around the fullest part, tape level, over a tee. Tell us whether you want a slim, regular or relaxed fit; we add the allowance.
- Waist: around the natural waist where the hem of a biker sits.
- Shoulder: across the back, bone to bone. Have someone else measure this; it is hard to do alone.
- Sleeve: shoulder bone to wrist bone, arm slightly bent.
- Back length: base of the neck to where you want the hem: belt line for a biker, hip for a bomber, mid-thigh for a coat.
- Bicep (optional): around the widest part of the upper arm if you have large arms.
Our size guide shows the standard garment measurements for comparison, and our fit guide explains what a good fit looks like.
Custom jackets for riders
Ask for cowhide or goatskin at 1.1 mm or heavier, double-stitched main seams, CE armour pockets at shoulders, elbows and back, a longer back panel and a snap-down collar. We will build the jacket to take standard CE protectors; supply your own or ask us to include them. Read fashion jacket vs riding jacket for what to expect from a leather jacket on the road.
Returns on custom jackets
A custom jacket is cut to your specification, so it cannot be returned for a refund. If it does not match the agreed measurements or design, we alter or remake it at no cost. Details are on our shipping and returns page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send a photo of a jacket I want copied?
Yes. Add it in the notes with a link or describe it, and we will tell you how close we can get and what it costs.
Can I change my design after the quote?
Yes, until we start cutting. After that, changes to size or style may add cost and time.
Is there a minimum order?
No. One jacket is fine. For club or team orders of ten or more, ask about group pricing.
Do I pay before you start?
Yes, once you approve the quote and design. Payment is through our normal checkout.