Vest Size Chart

How to read the vest size chart

A vest size chart matches your body measurements to a size letter. Find the row where your chest falls, then check the waist and back length in the same row. If all three fall in the same row, that size is your starting point. If they fall in different rows, start with the row that matches the largest measurement, because a vest must fit the widest area that affects it before anything else.

The chart on this page uses broad adult ranges, which means it covers many body shapes in a few rows. It is a useful starting guide when you are comparing styles or shopping without a brand chart in front of you. It is not a promise that every vest labelled with that size will fit you, because brands grade their sizes differently and cut their vests for different shapes.

Chest, waist and back length in the chart

Chest is the main measurement for most vests, because it decides whether the front closes without pulling and whether the armholes sit in the right place. Measure around the fullest part of the chest with the tape level and your arms relaxed at your sides. Keep the tape snug but not tight, and do not hold your breath while you measure, because that adds a false inch that changes the size.

Waist matters because the vest hem and any waist shaping follow it. Measure at your natural waist, which is the narrowest point of the torso, usually just above the navel. Back length matters because it decides where the hem lands. Measure from the top of the shoulder at the neck down the back to the point where you want the hem to sit, usually just below the waistband.

General vest size chart

The table in this guide is a general chart, and the numbers below are the broad ranges used by the Vest Size Calculator on this site. An XS covers a chest of 31 to 33 inches, a waist of 26 to 28 inches and a back length of 24 to 25 inches. A size S covers a chest of 34 to 36 inches, a waist of 29 to 31 inches and a back length of 25 to 26 inches. A size M covers a chest of 37 to 39 inches, a waist of 32 to 34 inches and a back length of 26 to 27 inches.

A size L covers a chest of 40 to 42 inches, a waist of 35 to 37 inches and a back length of 27 to 28 inches. An XL covers a chest of 43 to 46 inches, a waist of 38 to 41 inches and a back length of 28 to 29 inches. An XXL covers a chest of 47 to 50 inches, a waist of 42 to 45 inches and a back length of 29 to 30 inches. If your measurements fall below XS or above XXL, use the nearest end of the chart as a rough guide and rely on the brand chart and the stated garment measurements instead.

When the chart and the brand disagree

When a brand chart gives different ranges from this general chart, follow the brand chart. The brand chart describes the actual vest you are buying, including how that brand grades its sizes and how much ease it builds into each size. A brand that cuts its vests slim will show smaller garment measurements for the same size letter than a brand that cuts its vests relaxed, and the general chart cannot capture that difference.

Also check whether the brand lists body measurements or garment measurements. Body measurements describe the person the vest is made for, while garment measurements describe the vest itself laid flat. A garment chest measurement will be larger than the matching body chest measurement because it includes ease. Mixing the two kinds of numbers is one of the most common reasons a vest ordered online arrives too large or too small.

How to use this chart

• Measure chest, waist and back length with a soft tape, over a thin shirt.
• Find the row where your chest falls first, then check waist and length.
• Start with the row that matches your largest measurement.
• Compare the result with the brand chart before you order.
• Check whether the brand lists body or garment measurements.
• If you fall between rows, read the between sizes guide before choosing.