Random question about jacket sizing

[bout to crash]

Since most of y'all are dudes, you have probably had to buy some kind of jacket with a measurement for the size versus random numbers like in women's clothing.
So I'm wondering, since I'm buying online and can't try it on...

If my chest at its widest point is about 39", then should I be getting a size 40 jacket?

[bout to crash]

Five views and nothing? 

[TimmyHiggy]

Is it a guys jacket you are buying?

[lordxizor]

A Google search would probably yield better results than asking a bunch of guys who wear jeans and band t-shirts all the time.

[bout to crash]

Oh man, I never thought to look it up. Thanks!

The Google search wasn't very helpful... and I know a lot of you own suits, so your regular wardrobe is not really that significant. I mean, I know what the measurements mean, I just don't know if you're supposed to get the exact size of your chest or something bigger in order to be able to button/zip something because I don't know exactly how it works.

I guess it's unisex.

[TimmyHiggy]

if its ladies then I *think* you are meant to get the same number, although you may want to account for the fact that you have boobs

[lordxizor]

Oh man, I never thought to look it up. Thanks!

Haha... I assumed you had, but sometimes the questions people ask here make me scratch my head and wonder if people don't realize that there are things on the internet more useful than DTF.

I have a suit, but I don't remember how I was fitted for it. A quick Google search yielded one site saying to add a size and another saying to add two finger widths at your chest when you measure around. Probably yields about the same result. Another site says that jacket maker generally leave 4" of extra room at the chest, so a size 40 would measure 44" around the chest. So it might just depend on how tight you want it to fit and what you're planning to wear underneath it.

If you're really concerned you could always go into a store that sells jackets pretending to be interested and have them measure you and suggest a size.

[bout to crash]

True, thanks... I emailed the seller about length, probably should have asked about width too.

Timmy, that measurement includes my boobs

[chknptpie]

He just wanted to make sure you didn't forget they were there... =P

[TimmyHiggy]

Boobs are an important factor to consider when making any decision!

And with the boob thing, I meant that surely you have to decide if you want it to fit your below-the-boob area or above, cos if its unisex it probably wont have very good boob proportions? Risk baggy bottom half vs not being able to fit in, a problem that paris hilton clearly had when she tried on her leathers for her motorcycle race team launch:

clearly having zip trouble - probably had man proportioned leathers

[Dr. DTVT]

While it requires some time, maybe hitting a tailor shop and asking them would help.  I don't know, I was fitted for a suit 5 years ago and I don't fit in it anymore.  $300 to wear something twice.  Dressing up is for suxors.

[bout to crash]

It's not a suit

Although I do love men's suit jackets