How to choose a down jacket by size and try it on correctly

How to take dimensions - basic measurements

Before you buy a down jacket, you need to purchase a measuring tape - they sell it in sewing stores and make a measurement, because the main mistake when choosing outerwear, including down jackets, is a selection by eye.

When choosing a down jacket, it is necessary to measure:

Before proceeding to measurements, we advise you to wear the clothes that you most often wear under the down jacket. Depending on the region and temperature in winter, it can be jumpers and sweaters, shirts, dresses, sweatshirts, insulated jeans, trousers, in general, everything that provides additional comfort in winter.

@hm

Also, do not forget to wear a bra, if, of course, you wear it on a regular basis. Measurements on the naked body in this case are less informative, because the extra 1-2 cm, which gives a layer of clothing, can result in the tightness of a down jacket or coat.

Also pay attention to the fact that all measurements should be made in a standing position, the legs are located together or slightly spaced - no more than the width of the shoulders.

Bust

Breast measurement is made at the highest point of the chest.

1. Visually determine the highest point of the chest;
2. Stretch a centimeter under your arms and place it clearly parallel to the floor;
3. Connect the parts of the centimeter tape and write down the resulting number.

The measuring tape should not squeeze the chest or vice versa, be too relaxed.

Waist

It is the narrowest part of this piece of figure.

1. Stand up straight and put your feet together;
2. Feel the bottom of the ribs and the upper part of the thighs - in the gap between them and the waist is located;
3. Place the measuring tape on the narrowest part of this section of the figure;
4. Fix the resulting number.

As in the case of chest measurements, when measuring the waist, you can not pinch the tape, otherwise the indicators will be biased. And another important point is that you need to measure the waist in its natural position, that is, not on inhalation or exhalation, but in the interval between them.

Hips

The volume of the hips is measured in the most protruding part:

1. Stand up straight and put your feet together;
2. Visually identify the widest part of the thighs and girth it with a centimeter tape;
3. Fix the result.

If you can't visually identify one of the widest places – measure your hip in several places that seem the most prominent, compare the numbers and take the largest of them.

Height

For correct measurement of growth, it is recommended to attract an assistant:

1. Take off your shoes, socks;
2. Stand against the wall, pressing your heels, pelvis, shoulder blades, head. It is important to ensure the maximum adhesion of the body to the surface of the wall, as far as anatomical features allow;
3. Place your head straight, looking straight ahead;
4. Ask the assistant to place a ruler parallel to the floor, so that it lies on the top of the head and touches the wall with the end. At the point of contact of the ruler and the wall, you need to put a serif or a point;
5. With a centimeter tape from the floor to the left mark, measure the distance and fix the result.

Sleeve length

1. Lower your hand along your body. The elbow should be slightly bent - in a natural position, and the fingers are relaxed,
2. Place a centimeter tape on the highest point of the shoulder and stretch it along the outside of the arm to the end of the radius bone - the place where the forearm passes into the hand;
3. Fix the resulting length.

You can measure the length of the sleeve for choosing a down jacket by the already existing outerwear - a fur coat, a jacket, a sheepskin coat.

Table of the ratio of measurements and sizes of down jackets

When all the measurements are ready, correlate them with the data from the size table of women's down jackets and other outerwear. These are generally accepted indicators that are used by manufacturers for sewing down jackets.

Unfortunately, the presented average measurements often diverge from the real indicators - the hips can correspond to the size L, and the waist can be like that of size S. In such cases, we recommend focusing on the protruding parts of the body - chest and hips, since the waist line is a secondary criterion for the selection of outerwear.

The presented table is just a cheat sheet that will help determine the approximate dimensional indicators.

Often, manufacturers use their own size grids, which are placed on store websites. For example, the brand of outerwear Moncler offers customers its own gradation of sizes from 00 to 7, in which the Russian size 46, for example, corresponds to the size Moncler 3.

@moncler

Separately, let's talk about the length of the sleeve. Generally, sleeve length is also standardized for clothing size. For example, for size M, a full sleeve will be 60-62 cm, and on XXL 61-63 cm. These indicators are relevant for classic full-length sleeves that are used for outerwear. Sleeve measurements for models without sleeves - vests, and with a shortened sleeve three-quarters are not taken into account.

Memo on the ratio of sleeve length to size:

How should a down jacket sit on a woman

Previously, it was easier with winter jackets - which fit the size, so they bought. Now, with a variety of styles and stylistic directions, each down jacket has planting features.

Let's start with length. There are three main down jacket lengths:

1. Shortened jackets are winter jackets, the lower edge of which runs along the hip line or slightly lower;
2. Medium length - from the middle of the thigh to the knee;
3. Long - below the knee.

In photos in online stores, models have an average height of 164-170 cm according to GOST If the model has a knee-length jacket, and your height, say, is 180 cm, then the down jacket will be shorter. It also works the other way around - on the model a jacket up to the hips, and on a girl with a height of 160 cm it will be slightly longer.

There is no clear classification by fit, but there are popular styles that determine how the down jacket should sit on a girl.

• Straight. Such a down jacket is built on the basis of a rectangle - the side seams are located parallel to each other. Choose straight down jackets by measuring the chest and hips - in the waist it will be free, and the parallels will not be broken. At the same time, keep in mind that if the measurements of the hips are much larger than the breasts, the down jacket of a straight cut will not sit so freely;

• Cocoon. This is a down jacket of an oval silhouette - by the way, it is ideal for girls with wide hips and large breasts. Such a down jacket should sit freely even with warm clothes worn under the bottom;

• A-shaped. The down jacket of the A-silhouette gradually expands towards the bottom. Suitable for girls with wide hips, significantly exceeding the indicators of breast measurements. When choosing, pay attention to the fact that the down jacket sits tightly in the chest area and in the waist area, and to the bottom it becomes completely free;

• Fitted. Similar models of down jackets have laces or a belt that help to emphasize the waist of the girl. Here, waist measurements come to the fore - it is important that the down jacket smoothly runs around it, and does not collect it with folds. In the chest area, such down jackets sit tightly, but the bottom, regardless of the length of the product, is free.

Separately, we will dwell on oversize down jackets. Before buying a down jacket in this style, it is important to understand – wearing oversize does not mean buying a down jacket a size larger. Oversize down jackets have the same size mesh as ordinary outerwear, but due to the features of the cut, the product looks more voluminous.

If you just take and buy a down jacket a couple of sizes larger, you will face the fact that it hangs and does not reflect the rebellious spirit of oversize at all, and in addition, the sleeves will be too long and unnecessary space will appear in the chest area.

How to measure the down jacket correctly

Fitting in the case of choosing a down jacket, the procedure, if not mandatory, then at least desirable. Manufacturers, although they work on generally accepted size grids, sometimes they may not coincide with reality. To protect yourself from unsuccessful purchases, order a down jacket in stores where it is possible to try it on at home before paying or visit the nearest store of the brand you like.

@baonshop How to try on a down jacket correctly:

1. Wear the thickest clothes from the wardrobe. If you measure the down jacket on a thin blouse, then in a thick sweater it will not be comfortable. So that there are no surprises, focus on the thickest thing of clothes for the winter;
2. Fasten all the zippers to the top - this will help to navigate whether the down jacket does not constrain movements;
3. Raise your arms - if the down jacket is small in the chest area, you will feel strong resistance in the armpits, as well as tension of the tissue on the back. It is better not to take such a down jacket - it is small, which means that it can tear at the first sharp movement of the hands,
4. Spread your arms to the sides. If somewhere you feel an excessive tension of the fabric, this is another bell - you need to try on a larger size;
5. Lean forward a little, especially if you choose an elongated down jacket or a down coat. Tilting will help determine if there is discomfort in the hip area;
6. Sit down on a chair. If the down jacket is small, you will feel the tension of the down jacket fabric along the side seams and along the back of the product.

Common questions about choosing a down jacket

How to understand that the down jacket is large?

The first criterion that testifies to this is long sleeves. Normally, the sleeve of outerwear - jackets, coats, sheepskin coats or down jackets should be no longer than up to the knuckles of the hand, clenched into a fist.

If the down jacket is classic, that is, not oversized, pay attention to the shoulder seams of the product - they should be at the place of the descent of the shoulder. If the shoulder seams are strongly lowered, then the down jacket is large. The only exceptions are oversize models, where the shoulder seam line can be well below the shoulder.

Do I need to buy a down jacket larger?

If you measure warm clothes and also wear a thick sweater or cardigan when trying on, you usually do not need to buy a down jacket for a size larger. Nevertheless, you need to focus not on measurements, but on your own feelings in the down jacket - if there is pressure somewhere, it is better to look at a larger down jacket.

What should be a casual down jacket?

In the casual style , a straight-cut down jacket or slightly flared to the bottom will fit. The model should not fit the hips and waist - look at the free silhouettes. Another option is parka, but it is more appropriate for sport-casual.

How to choose the size of the down jacket for a man?

Just like a woman - to make measurements, correlate with the size grid and try on in accordance with the rules described above.

See the Down jackets section of DRESS Magazine - what down jackets are in trend, the rating of down jackets and other materials useful for choosing a down jacket.

How to choose a good down jacket - the materials of the fillers and the outer coating of the down jacket.

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