Why measure instead of trusting the tagged size?
Because vintage Carhartt has shrunk, stretched and in our case been reworked. Duck canvas shrinks in the wash — a tagged 34 waist often measures 32 or 33 — and a cropped jacket no longer matches its original size at all. Flat measurements are the only reliable way to know how a piece will fit.
What are the key jacket measurements?
Pit to pit (chest): lay the jacket flat, zipped, and measure straight across from armpit seam to armpit seam. Length: from the base of the collar at the back to the bottom of the hem. Shoulder: seam to seam across the back. Sleeve: from the shoulder seam to the end of the cuff. Those four numbers describe the fit.
What are the key pant measurements?
Waist: lay the pant flat, button closed, measure across the top of the waistband and double it. Inseam: from the crotch seam to the hem along the inside leg. Rise: from the crotch seam to the top of the waistband at the front. Leg opening: across the hem, doubled. Thigh: across the leg just below the crotch, doubled.
How do I compare with something I already own?
Measure a jacket or pant that fits the way you want, using the same points, and compare. If your favourite jacket is 23 inches pit to pit and 26 inches long, look for a piece within an inch of those numbers. This works far better than converting between tagged sizes across decades and brands.
How much ease should a Carhartt jacket have?
For a relaxed workwear fit, two to four inches of extra chest circumference over your body measurement — so a 40-inch chest wears a jacket around 22 to 23 inches pit to pit. For a fitted modern look, less. Remember that a lined Detroit is bulkier than an unlined shell at the same measurement.
Do you provide measurements for every piece?
On request, for any piece in stock — message us with the reference number and we will send pit to pit, length, shoulder and sleeve, or waist, inseam, rise and leg opening. Because every piece is one of one, the measurements are of the exact garment you receive.
Every piece we sell is reworked by these standards
Everything written here comes from grading and reworking Carhartt every day. Browse what's in now, or message us and we'll send photos and measurements of anything.