Men's Suit Fit Guide

There are two essential components when it comes to buying a suit: fit and size. Fit is the overall shape of that particular suit. Size is the number inside your jacket.

Find Your Fit

Suit & Separates

Extra-Slim Fit
Slim through the shoulders. Narrow sleeves. Extra-slim trousers.

Extra-Slim Fit

Slim Fit
Narrower through the chest. Higher armholes. Fitted trousers.

Slim Fit

Classic Fit
Wider through the chest and shoulders. Fuller trousers.

Classic Fit

Find Your Size

Suit and sport coat sizes have one number and one descriptive word (for example, 38 short, 40 regular, 42 long). The number refers to your chest measurement, and the descriptive word refers to the length of the jacket.

Check your own measurements and look for additional size information on the product page to determine which size you should purchase.

All Nordstrom stores offer alteration services, and basic alterations are free for many full-priced items purchased at Nordstrom (online or in stores). Find a store near you.

To get a full breakdown on how to buy a suit, check out our infographic.

Over Arm
With arms at your sides, have someone measure around the broadest part of your shoulders and upper arms.

Chest
With arms at your sides, measure around your upper body, under your armpits and over the fullest part of your chest and shoulder blades.

Waist
Bend to one side to find the natural crease of your waist. Measure at this point, keeping the tape comfortably loose around your waist.

Custom Suiting

Whether you're looking for a tailored fit or want to choose your own design, our made-to-measure suits are personalized to your needs.

• You choose the style, fabric, pattern and details.
• Your measurements are taken and applied to the pattern.
• Your suit is made and when it's ready, you'll come in for a final fitting and adjustments.

Made-to-measure services are available for selected styles from participating brands, including Hart Schaffner Marx, Hickey Freeman, Canali and more.

Suit Length

Short (S)

Regular (R)

Long (L)

X-Long (XL)

Your Height

5'4" to 5'7 1/2"

5'8" to 6'2"

6'2 1/2" to 6' 5"

6'5 1/2" and up

Tall suits are classified as Long and X-Long (6'2 1/2" and up).
Big suits are classifed as 48 U.S. chest size and up.

Men's Suit & Sport Coat Size Conversions

EU Chest Sizing

U.S. Chest Sizing

Helpful Hints

• If your over-arm measurement is more than 7" larger than your chest measurement, choose a suit one size larger than your chest.

• Suits have what is called a "drop," which is the difference between the size of the jacket and the size of the pants. Classic-fit suits typically have a 6" drop, meaning that a size 38R jacket is paired with size 32 pants. Slim-fit and extra-slim-fit suits typically have a 6" to 7" drop.

• Suit makers usually leave enough extra fabric at the seams to allow pants to be let out by 1" to 2". Pants can always be taken in.

• All Nordstrom stores offer alteration services, and basic alterations are free for many full-priced items purchased at Nordstrom (online or in stores). Find a store near you.