The Ultimate Guide to Jackets: Styles, Body Shape Matching, UK & USA Brands & How to Find Your Best Fit

Author: Tellar Editors | Date: July 2025 | Honest. Independent. Unbiased.

Whether you're dressing for work, weekend outings or transitional weather, the right jacket can transform your entire outfit. But with countless silhouettes—from structured blazers to oversized bombers—knowing which jacket suits your body shape and how to find your perfect size across brands is essential.

This guide breaks down:

Every major jacket style and what body shape it flatters
Key differences in UK vs USA sizing
High street and designer brand options
How to use tellar.co.uk to guarantee fit with real-time brand size matching
Plus, a hub of free fashion guides you can trust

🧥 Types of Jackets & What Suits Your Shape

1. Blazer

Best for: Hourglass, rectangular, and pear-shaped bodies
Choose single-breasted to elongate; double-breasted to balance broad shoulders
Tailoring defines the waist and flatters bust/hip ratios

🔗 Smart Casual Blazer Guide by Body ShapeInstruction on Posts

2. Biker Jacket

Best for: Petite, athletic, or hourglass figures
Cropped length draws attention to the waist
Adds edge to floaty dresses or high-waist trousers

3. Trench Coat

Best for: Tall, hourglass, or rectangular body types
Belted shape creates waist definition; lapels flatter busts
Ideal for layering over workwear or evening dresses

4. Bomber Jacket

Best for: Rectangle or pear shapes
Adds volume to the upper body, balancing hips
Cropped cuts highlight waistlines—go structured, not slouchy

5. Utility / Safari Jacket

Best for: Apple and rectangle figures
Cinched waists create shape; pockets add structure
Lightweight versions are great for spring/summer layering

6. Oversized Blazer / Boxy Fit

Best for: Tall or lean frames
Avoid if petite, unless paired with fitted bottoms
Adds drama but can overwhelm small frames

7. Duster Jacket / Longline Coat

Best for: Pear, hourglass, or rectangular shapes
Straight lines elongate the body
Works well layered over dresses or wide-leg trousers

8. Peacoat / Double-Breasted Short Coat

Best for: Hourglass, inverted triangle, or athletic shapes
Balanced silhouette adds width at the hip
Best worn open if bust is fuller

📏 Body Shape Breakdown

Shape	Key Tips	Best Jacket Types
Hourglass	Emphasise waist	Blazer, trench, fitted leather
Pear	Add volume to shoulders	Bomber, structured blazer
Apple	Skim midsection, draw vertical lines	Longline jackets, safari
Rectangle	Define waist, build shape	Cinched utility, double-breasted
Inverted Triangle	Add width at hip	A-line coats, peacoats
Petite	Avoid bulk, go cropped	Biker, short trench, fitted blazer

For more on clothing and proportion:

🔗 The Ultimate Clothing Sizing GuideInstruction on Posts

🔗 Finding Your Clothes Size – Full GuideInstruction on Posts

🌍 UK vs USA Jacket Sizing

Jacket sizing is notoriously inconsistent, especially across continents. UK sizes are typically 2 sizes ahead of US labels.

UK Size	US Size	EU Size
6	2	34
8	4	36
10	6	38
12	8	40
14	10	42
16	12	44

But that’s just a starting point. Shoulder width, sleeve length, and bust fit can vary even within a single brand.

Avoid guesswork with this size resource:

🔗 UK vs USA vs European Clothing Sizes – The Ultimate GuideInstruction on Posts

🛍️ Best Jacket Brands – High Street & Designer

🇬🇧 UK High Street

Brand	Known For	Fit Notes
Massimo Dutti	Tailored trenches & soft blazers	Slim EU sizing, elegant cuts
White Stuff	Casual cotton jackets	Generous across hips & bust
Reiss	Formal blazers & belted coats	Narrow shoulders, size up if curvy
M&S Autograph	Classic peacoats & trenches	True to size, often fuller bust-friendly
Joules	Waterproof parkas & puffers	Roomy outerwear, consistent UK sizing

🔗 Massimo Dutti Fit GuideInstruction on Posts

🔗 White Stuff Sizing BreakdownInstruction on Posts

🔗 Next Sizing GuideInstruction on Posts

🇺🇸 USA & Global Designers

Brand	Known For	Fit Notes
Theory	Sleek wool blazers & trenches	Narrow cut, size up if busty
Rag & Bone	Biker and bomber jackets	True to US sizing
Sézane (France)	Suede and boucle jackets	Size up in most EU sizes
Everlane	Utility styles and boxy cuts	Great for rectangles, size flexible
COS (Sweden)	Oversized structured blazers	Dramatic cuts, size down for petite frames

🔍 How to Find Your Perfect Jacket Fit with Tellar.co.uk

Choosing the right size in jackets is one of the trickiest parts of fashion. From shoulder seams to bust allowance and sleeve length, fit can change drastically across styles and brands.

That’s where tellar.co.uk comes in.

✔️ What is Tellar?

Tellar is the UK’s leading size-matching platform that compares your body measurements to each brand’s sizing data in real time.

✅ Covers 1,500+ brands across UK, US and EU

✅ Works for jackets, jeans, dresses and more

✅ Offers instant fit predictions and styling notes

✅ Always free, unbiased, and in-browser—no downloads needed

💡 How Tellar Works

Create your profile using your bust, waist and hip—or your size in a brand you already own
Use the Store Size Lookup Tool to search your next jacket brand
Get instant recommendations—"size 10 in this blazer", "size up for shoulder room"
Plus, see fit tips like “tailored waist” or “roomy sleeve cut”

🧭 Explore Tellar’s Free Fashion Hub

Beyond jackets, Tellar offers thousands of expert-written articles on styling, fit science, and brand reviews:

🔗 Flattering Jeans for Every Body ShapeInstruction on Posts
🔗 The Ultimate Guide to Women’s Tuxedo SuitsInstruction on Posts
🔗 Jeans for Petite Women – High Street & DesignerInstruction on Posts

This Fashion Hub is built to help you make smarter shopping decisions—independently, honestly, and always free.

📣 Follow Tellar for Daily Fashion Guidance & Fit Expertise

Get expert updates weekly on:

Brand fit updates
Sizing trends across UK & USA labels
Seasonal outerwear recommendations
Styling for your shape and wardrobe needs

Instagram: @Tellarsizing
Twitter/X: @TellarSizing
Facebook: Tellar Sizing
Pinterest: TellarSizing

Final Word

Jackets are an essential year-round wardrobe staple. From tailored blazers to oversized trenches, finding the right style and fit for your body is key to looking and feeling confident. But with sizing so inconsistent across brands and countries, most shoppers guess—and guess wrong.

Tellar.co.uk eliminates that guesswork. Use our real-time size matching tool to know exactly which size to buy from any brand—paired with styling guides, shape-specific advice, and 1,000s of expert articles.

“Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.”

Start now: tellar.co.ukInstruction on Posts