Overcoat Size Guide: How to Find Your Perfect Fit (Men's and Women's)
Updated October 2026. Written by The Platinum Tailor, a family tailoring business making wool overcoats since 2012.
Quick answer
Order your chest measurement. Our overcoats are sized direct: if your chest measures 42 inches, or you wear a 42 suit jacket, order a 42. There is no need to size up, because the coats are cut with room for a suit jacket or a thick jumper underneath. If you are between sizes, go up. If you only ever wear a shirt or thin knit underneath and like a slimmer fit, you can go down one. Women's coats are true to UK dress size, 10 to 18.
How to measure your chest
For an overcoat, your chest measurement is the one that matters. Shoulders, sleeves and waist are proportioned from it in each size.
- Use a soft tape measure and wear a shirt or a thin layer, not a jacket.
- Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms and across your shoulder blades.
- Keep it level all the way round and snug, not tight. Breathe normally.
- Round to the nearest inch.
No tape measure? Use the size on the label of a suit jacket or blazer that fits you well. A 40R or 40L jacket means a 40 chest. Or lay a coat you like flat, measure across from armpit to armpit and double it, then match that to the garment chest row in the chart below.
Should you buy the same size as your suit?
With us, yes. This is the most common question we get, and the answer depends on the brand. Some makers cut overcoats close to the body and expect you to size up so the coat fits over a jacket. Ours are already cut generously, about four and a half inches bigger than your body chest, so they go over a suit jacket in your normal size. A 42 suit means a 42 coat.
Our sizing is direct. If your chest measures 42 inches, order a size 42. The coats are cut to sit comfortably over suit jackets and thick knitwear.
If you prefer a slimmer, more tailored fit and only wear light layers underneath, you may prefer to size down one.
Men's overcoat size chart
The Body Chest row shows which size to order based on your own chest measurement. All other rows are measurements of the coat itself. On a phone, turn it sideways to see the full table.
| Measurement | UK 38 EU 48 |
UK 40 EU 50 |
UK 42 EU 52 |
UK 44 EU 54 |
UK 46 EU 56 |
UK 48 EU 58 |
UK 50 EU 60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Chest Your measurement |
38"97cm | 40"102cm | 42"107cm | 44"112cm | 46"117cm | 48"122cm | 50"127cm |
| Chest Full garment chest |
42.5"108cm | 44.5"113cm | 46.5"118cm | 48.4"123cm | 50.4"128cm | 52.4"133cm | 54.3"138cm |
| Waist Full garment waist |
40.9"104cm | 42.9"109cm | 44.9"114cm | 46.9"119cm | 48.8"124cm | 50.8"129cm | 52.8"134cm |
| Sleeve Length Shoulder to cuff |
25.4"64.4cm | 25.6"65cm | 25.8"65.6cm | 26.1"66.2cm | 26.3"66.8cm | 26.5"67.4cm | 26.8"68cm |
| Shoulder Width Across shoulders |
18.4"46.8cm | 18.9"48cm | 19.4"49.2cm | 19.8"50.4cm | 20.3"51.6cm | 20.8"52.8cm | 21.3"54cm |
Not every style comes in every size. Check the size options on each product page.
Found your size? Shop men's wool overcoats, black overcoats, camel overcoats or trench coats.
How an overcoat should fit
| Check | Right | Wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Shoulders | Seam sits at the edge of your shoulder | Seam drops down the arm, or pulls towards the neck |
| Chest | Buttons close over a jacket with no pulling | An X shape forms around the buttons |
| Sleeves | Cover your shirt cuff, reach the base of the thumb | Shirt or jacket cuff shows |
| Back | You can reach forward without strain | Tight across the shoulder blades |
| Length | At or below the knee, covers your jacket | Jacket hem shows below the coat |
The shoulder is the most important fit point. Sleeves and hems can be altered by a tailor. Shoulders cannot. For length by height, see how long should an overcoat be.
Between sizes? Size up. A slightly generous coat is more comfortable over winter layers and can be taken in by a tailor. A tight coat is much harder to fix.
✂ Pockets stitched closed for shipping. All pockets are lightly basting stitched to keep the coat's shape in transit. Snip the thread with small scissors or ask your dry cleaner to open them.
Men's blazer size chart
Our blazers are a true to size regular fit, fully lined and unstructured in a linen and cotton blend. The Body Chest row shows which size to order. Every other figure is a measurement of the blazer. They are cut to sit over a shirt or light knit.
| Measurement | UK 40 EU 50 |
UK 42 EU 52 |
UK 44 EU 54 |
UK 46 EU 56 |
UK 48 EU 58 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Chest Your measurement |
40"102cm | 42"107cm | 44"112cm | 46"117cm | 48"122cm |
| Chest Full garment chest |
43.3"110cm | 45.3"115cm | 47.2"120cm | 49.2"125cm | 51.2"130cm |
| Waist Full garment waist |
39.8"101cm | 41.7"106cm | 43.7"111cm | 45.7"116cm | 47.6"121cm |
| Hip Full garment hip |
44.1"112cm | 46.1"117cm | 48"122cm | 50"127cm | 52"132cm |
| Sleeve Length Shoulder point to cuff |
25.2"64cm | 25.6"65cm | 26"66cm | 26.4"67cm | 26.8"68cm |
| Shoulder Width Seam to seam across back |
17.9"45.5cm | 18.5"47cm | 19.1"48.5cm | 19.7"50cm | 20.3"51.5cm |
| Back Length Neck seam to hem |
29.5"75cm | 29.9"76cm | 30.3"77cm | 30.7"78cm | 31.1"79cm |
Available in single and double breasted. Both share the same body measurements. The double breasted has a peak lapel and a left over right overlap. The single breasted has a notch lapel and sits very slightly closer at the front.
Ready to order? Shop men's linen blazers in single and double breasted.
Women's size chart
Our women's overcoats are true to size. The Body Chest row shows which size to order. All other figures are measurements of the coat.
| Measurement | UK 10 EU 38 |
UK 12 EU 40 |
UK 14 EU 42 |
UK 16 EU 44 |
UK 18 EU 46 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body Chest Your measurement |
35"89cm | 37"94cm | 39"99cm | 41"104cm | 43"109cm |
| Chest Full garment chest |
39"99cm | 41"104cm | 43"109cm | 45"114cm | 47"119cm |
| Waist Full garment waist |
39"99cm | 41"104cm | 43"109cm | 45"114cm | 47"119cm |
| Hip Full garment hip |
43.5"111cm | 45.5"116cm | 47.5"121cm | 49.5"126cm | 51.5"131cm |
| Sleeve Length Shoulder to cuff |
24.6"62.5cm | 24.8"63cm | 25"63.5cm | 25.2"64cm | 25.4"64.5cm |
Found your size? Shop women's wool coats and overcoats, or read the women's overcoat fit and styling guide.
Regular fit or slimmer fit?
Our coats are cut in a classic fit that goes over a suit jacket, a blazer or a heavy jumper. If you wear suits regularly, stay true to size. If you mostly wear a shirt or thin knit underneath and want a more fitted, modern line, size down one. If you like to layer a hoodie or chunky knit, stay true to size, or go up if you are between sizes. See how to wear an overcoat casually.
Buying for someone else? Read how to get the size right on a gifted coat.
Easy exchanges
If the size is not quite right, you have 30 days from delivery to return an unworn coat with its tags attached for a different size or a refund. Follow our returns and exchanges process and tell us the size you need. Questions before ordering? We are happy to help.
Email: info@theplatinumtailor.co.uk
Phone: 07473239725
Frequently asked questions
Should I size up for an overcoat?
Not with our coats. They are cut to go over a suit jacket in your normal size. Order your chest measurement or suit jacket size. Size up only if you are between sizes.
Is overcoat size the same as suit size?
For our coats, yes. A 42 suit jacket means a 42 overcoat. Some other brands cut closer and recommend sizing up, so always check each brand's chart.
How should an overcoat fit in the shoulders?
The shoulder seam should sit at the edge of your natural shoulder, not drop down the arm or pull towards your neck, with room to move your arms forward over a jacket.
How long should overcoat sleeves be?
Long enough to cover your shirt and jacket cuffs completely, finishing around the base of your thumb.
What if I am between sizes?
Size up. A slightly larger coat fits better over winter layers and can be taken in by a tailor.
What size is a medium in overcoats?
As a rough guide, a men's medium is around a 38 to 40 chest, a large around 42, an extra large around 44. Measuring your chest is more accurate.
How should a double breasted overcoat fit across the shoulders over a suit?
The coat's shoulder seam should sit at or just past the edge of your suit's shoulder, with no ridge where the jacket pushes against the coat sleeve. Button it fully over the suit. The front should lie flat with no X shape around the buttons, and you should be able to reach forward without the back pulling. A tight fit shows more on a double breasted coat because the overlap pulls across the chest. Ours are cut about 4.5 inches bigger than your body chest, so a 42 suit takes a 42 coat.
How much room should I leave in the shoulders for layering jumpers?
About half an inch to an inch beyond your natural shoulder is enough for a jumper or suit jacket. Any more and the seam drops down your arm. If you layer chunky knits, keep the shoulder fit and get the extra room from the chest: stay true to size, or size up if you are between sizes. Compare the Shoulder Width row above with a coat you already own.
1 comment
Hi, I’ve bought one of your coats before, size 40. It’s very good but the next time I’d rather order one a bit smaller, UK size 38 (EU 48). Do you make them in size 38?