The hardest part of giving a leather jacket is not choosing the style, it is getting the size right without asking. The most reliable method is to measure a jacket he already owns and wears often, laid flat, rather than trying to guess his body measurements.
Get that right and the rest is straightforward. Here is how.
How to Get His Size Without Asking
Find a jacket in his wardrobe that fits him well and that he actually wears. Lay it flat on a bed or table, zipped or buttoned, and take four measurements:
- Chest. Straight across from armpit seam to armpit seam, then double it.
- Shoulder. Seam to seam across the back.
- Sleeve. From the shoulder seam to the end of the cuff.
- Length. From the base of the collar at the back down to the hem.
Those four numbers are more useful than his body measurements, because they include the amount of room he personally likes. Send them to us and tell us whether you want the new jacket to fit the same, slightly closer or slightly roomier.
If you cannot get to his wardrobe, our guide on how to measure for a leather jacket covers the body measurement method, and the numbers go against our Size Guide.
The Safest Styles to Buy for Someone Else
Some jackets are far easier to get right as a gift than others.
Safest: the bomber jacket
Roomy through the chest with a ribbed hem doing the shaping, which means it is forgiving if you are half a size out. It also suits almost every wardrobe. If you are unsure, this is the answer. See Bomber Leather Jackets.
Safe: the cafe racer
Plain, minimal and versatile. It goes with jeans, chinos and tailoring alike. Slightly less forgiving on size because it is cut close, so use the measured jacket method. See Cafe Racer Jackets.
Safe if you know his taste: the biker jacket
Strong presence and a lot of detail. Excellent if it suits him, wrong if it does not. Only choose this if you are confident. See Motorcycle Jackets.
Only if he needs it: shearling
The warmest option and a serious piece, but bulky and only worn in genuinely cold weather. See Shearling Leather Jackets.
Lower Risk Alternatives
If the size worries you, these are easier and still substantial gifts.
Leather shirt. Sized more like a normal shirt, and worn open as a layer it is forgiving. It also gets worn far more often than a jacket, because it stays on indoors. See Mens Leather Shirts.
Leather vest. Sized generously by design, since it goes over other layers. Very hard to get wrong. See Mens Leather Vests.
Choosing the Colour
If he owns no leather: black. The most versatile and the safest choice.
If he already owns a black leather jacket: brown or tan. A second black jacket adds almost nothing to what he can wear.
If his wardrobe is denim, olive and earth tones: brown or distressed brown.
Our guide on leather jacket colours covers this in more detail.
Three Mistakes to Avoid
Buying a size up to be safe. This is the instinct and it is wrong. Leather has no stretch, moulds to the body over the first month and stays that way. An oversized leather jacket never becomes the right size.
Choosing a style he would not choose himself. A gift is not the moment to redirect someone's taste. Look at what he already wears.
Buying something that is not real leather. Check that a specific hide is named, such as lambskin, cowhide or goatskin. "Genuine leather" with no hide named usually means a lower split, and PU or bonded leather is not real hide. Our guide on real leather versus faux leather covers the checks.
Timing
Every jacket at Leather Outlet is made after you order it rather than pulled from a warehouse. That means every size XS to 5XL is available plus custom at no extra cost, and nothing sells out.
It also means there is a production window before shipping. For a Christmas gift, ordering in late October or November is comfortable timing. Mid December is where people run into difficulty, particularly with shearling, which takes longer to build.
Shipping is free worldwide on every order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out his jacket size without asking?
Measure a jacket he already wears often, laid flat. Take chest armpit to armpit and double it, plus shoulder seam to seam, sleeve length and back length. Those numbers include the fit he prefers.
What is the safest leather jacket style to buy as a gift?
A bomber jacket. The roomy body and ribbed hem make it forgiving if you are half a size out, and it suits most wardrobes.
Should I buy a size up to be safe?
No. Leather has no stretch and moulds to the body permanently over the first month. An oversized leather jacket never becomes the right size.
What if the size is wrong when it arrives?
Get in touch and we will work it out. Sending the measurements of a jacket that already fits him is the best way to avoid the problem entirely.
What colour leather jacket should I buy him?
Black if he owns no leather. Brown or tan if he already has a black jacket, since a second black one adds very little.
Is there a lower risk gift than a jacket?
A leather shirt or a leather vest. Both are sized more forgivingly, and a leather shirt gets worn far more often because it stays on indoors.
When should I order for Christmas?
Late October or November. Made to order jackets have a production window, and shearling pieces take longer to build than plain styles.
Getting It Right
Measure a jacket he already owns, pick a style that matches what he already wears, and order with time to spare. Browse Men Leather Jackets at Leather Outlet and check the Size Guide. Made to order in real leather, XS to 5XL, free worldwide shipping.
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