Jackets: What Type Should I Buy for a Tall Body Shape?

Introduction: Why Jacket Fit Is Especially Crucial for Tall Frames

Tall individuals often face disproportionate challenges in fashion—literally. From sleeves that fall short to awkward hemlines and poor shoulder alignment, finding jackets that properly accommodate a tall body shape can be a continuous struggle. Unlike other clothing categories, jackets are built on fixed structural lines—when those lines fall in the wrong place, the garment loses both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

If you’re tall, fit precision becomes more than just a comfort issue—it’s a visual and structural necessity. In this guide, we’ll cover:

• How height impacts jacket fit

• Which styles and cuts are optimal

• Technical elements like sleeve pitch, seam placement, and fabrication

• What to avoid when shopping

• The best brands for tall shoppers

• And how Tellar.co.uk eliminates sizing guesswork with real-time measurement-matching technology

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The Tall Frame: Structural Characteristics and Fit Challenges

Tall body shapes—commonly defined as 5’9” (175cm) and above for women, or 6’1” (185cm) and above for men—usually include at least one of the following structural characteristics:

• Longer arms and legs

• Extended torso or high rise

• Broader wingspan

• Lower waist-to-hip ratio (particularly in men)

These factors result in key challenges when wearing standard jacket sizes:

To correct these imbalances, jacket selection should consider both design mechanics and fabrication strategy.

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Jacket Styles That Suit Tall Body Shapes

The following jacket types consistently offer the best results for tall frames, based on structural alignment and fabric response:

1. Longline Trench Coats

Why it works:
Trench coats are naturally structured and elongating. A longline cut complements vertical proportions, while belted waists offer optional contouring.

Technical tip: Opt for a raglan sleeve design, which better accommodates longer arms and broader shoulders without disrupting vertical drape.

Recommended brands:

• Arket (Tall line available)

• Massimo Dutti (elegant finishes, extended lengths)

• The Frankie Shop (genderless, oversized tailoring)

📍**Use Tellar.co.uk to find your trench size** across all three brands.

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2. Single-Breasted Blazers (Long Cut)

Why it works:
Single-breasted blazers in longline formats streamline the torso without excess volume. Tall individuals benefit from added length through the hip and proportional lapel positioning.

Technical tip: Ensure shoulder seams align at the acromion (shoulder bone) and sleeve pitch matches your natural arm slope. Misalignment will cause gaping or puckering at the back.

Avoid: Cropped blazers or exaggerated shoulder pads—they visually compress tall frames.

Recommended brands:

• COS (minimal tailoring with longer fits)

• Reiss (excellent sleeve and waist ratios)

• Banana Republic Tall

📍**Tellar’s profile tool** ensures you’re matched to correct chest and sleeve sizes from these brands in real time.

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3. Duster Jackets and Maxi Coats

Why it works:
These elongated silhouettes harmonise with longer legs and torsos, offering a sleek columnar effect.

Fabric tip: Choose wool, boiled cashmere, or dense cotton blends. Avoid polyester-heavy blends that lose structure and drape unevenly over time.

Recommended brands:

• Theory (premium fabric blends, sharp tailoring)

• Mango (Tall Range)

• Sezane (runs slightly long in European sizing)

🧥 Browse size matches for duster coats via Tellar’s real-time sizing engine.

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4. Structured Utility Jackets

Why it works:
Utility jackets combine function and fashion, with design elements (like cinched waists and straight hems) that flatter longer torsos. Great for layering.

Recommended features:

• Adjustable drawstrings

• Box pleats or back vents for mobility

• Higher armhole cuts to offset shoulder span

Avoid: Cropped safari jackets—they will truncate the torso.

Brands that work:

• Uniqlo U

• Barbour International

• & Other Stories

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Styles to Avoid for Tall Body Shapes

While fashion is flexible, these jacket styles often disrupt balance or result in poor fits on tall frames:

• Cropped bombers – visually shorten the torso and elevate waistlines awkwardly

• Peplum jackets – flared hems often sit too high

• Classic blousons – elasticated hems ride up

• Shackets – often cut boxy and short, unless designed for tall frames

• Cropped puffers – disrupts vertical silhouette unless worn for intentional contrast

Avoid brands that don’t offer long lengths or tall ranges unless using Tellar.co.uk’s fit predictor to verify actual garment measurements.

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Technical Buying Tips for Tall Bodies

✔ Check Shoulder Width

Use shoulder-to-shoulder measurement across the back. Tellar.co.uk stores exact dimensions across 1,500+ brands.

✔ Prioritise Sleeve Length

Standard jackets = 60–62cm sleeves. Tall fit = 65cm+. Use Tellar’s conversion guide to avoid short-cuffed issues.

✔ Avoid Tight Tailoring

Don’t over-fit jackets to “balance” your height. Looser silhouettes are more flattering for tall builds, particularly if you have a low rise or broad chest.

✔ Fabric First

Choose denser fabrics like twill, boiled wool, heavyweight denim, and gabardine for durability and better drape over longer frames.

✔ Jacket Length Should Hit Mid-Hip or Below

For formalwear, coats should reach at least mid-thigh to preserve proportion.

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Best Brands for Tall-Specific Jackets

🔗 Explore these brands with Tellar’s size-matching engine:
https://www.tellar.co.uk/store-size-lookup/

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Why Tellar.co.uk Solves the Jacket Sizing Problem

At Tellar.co.uk, we’re tackling fashion’s biggest inconsistency: size variation across brands.

Our free tool eliminates guesswork by:

• Comparing your measurements to real jacket dimensions

• Highlighting sleeve, shoulder, and torso compatibility

• Offering smart size predictions for tall frames

• Covering 1,500+ brands including Zara, COS, Reiss, Mango, H&M, and more

🎯 Whether you’re shopping high street or designer, we know exactly how each brand fits—and we deliver the correct size first time.

✅ Create your profile today
✅ Use our Store Size Lookup Tool
✅ It’s free, private, and takes less than 60 seconds

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Connect with Us

Stay updated with more expert fit tips, brand breakdowns and tall-size recommendations.

• Instagram – @Tellarsizing

• Pinterest – TellarUK

• Twitter (X) – @Tellar100

• Facebook – TellarSizing

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Conclusion: Invest Smart, Fit Smarter

Tall individuals have a natural advantage in fashion when garments are proportionally correct. With the right jacket, your height becomes an asset—conveying power, elegance, and symmetry. Focus on structural design, sleeve length, and strategic fabrics. And don’t waste time or money second-guessing brand sizing ever again.

💡 Tellar.co.uk is your definitive fit solution.
Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.
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