How to Find a Winter Coat That Fits When You Are Tall
A winter coat that is too short in the sleeves or body lets cold air in at the wrists and waist, which defeats the point of a warm jacket. Tall people often size up to get length and end up with a baggy, drafty coat. Knowing your measurements and looking for tall cuts solves most fit problems before the cold arrives.
Measure before you shop
Measure your sleeve length from the centre back of your neck, over your shoulder and down to your wrist bone with your arm slightly bent. Measure a coat you like from the base of the collar at the back to the hem for body length.
Compare these numbers with the brand's size chart rather than relying on the letter size. Tall-specific sizes often list sleeve and back length, which makes online shopping far less of a gamble.
Tall sizing versus sizing up
Tall sizes such as LT and XLT keep the chest and waist of the regular size while adding length to the sleeves and body. Sizing up to a larger regular size adds width across the chest and shoulders, often without enough extra length.
A coat that is too wide traps less warm air close to your body and lets drafts in. If a regular large fits your chest but the sleeves are short, look for a large tall rather than an extra large.
Styles that suit tall frames
Longer parkas and coats that fall to mid-thigh or below cover the lower back when you bend and sit, which is where short jackets let cold in. Adjustable hems and drawcords help seal out wind.
Look for sleeves with inner cuffs or thumbholes, adjustable Velcro cuffs and articulated elbows, which prevent sleeves riding up when you reach or cycle. Hoods should be large enough to fit over a hat without pulling the coat up at the back.
Check fit with real movement
Try coats on with the layers you will wear underneath, such as a sweater. Reach forward as if driving, raise your arms overhead and sit down. Sleeves should still cover your wrists and the hem should cover your lower back.
Shoulder seams should sit near the edge of your shoulders, and the zip should close easily over layers without pulling across the chest.
Accessories that fill the gaps
Long gauntlet gloves that tuck over or under sleeves close the wrist gap if sleeves are borderline. A long scarf or neck gaiter covers the collar area that often sits low on tall people.
Longer base layers and tall-cut sweaters keep the lower back covered when coats ride up. Buying tall layering pieces makes almost any coat warmer in practice.