Carhartt Size & Fit Guide 2025: Measure Once, Buy Right – Jackets, Bibs, and Shirts Explained

While shoppers abandon their online carts for a range of reasons, being unsure of sizing is among the most common. When you don’t want to deal with the hassle of making returns, it can be risky to guess your size and buy online.

Rest assured that when it comes to Carhartt sizing, you can shop with confidence. In this guide, you can learn about what different fits mean, how materials contribute to sizing, how to perform measurements, and more. 

Understanding Carhartt Fits

How you shop for Carhartt workwear, like jackets, bibs, and shirts, can require a far different approach than if you were shopping for a pair of sweatpants or a nice casual T-shirt. 

Most Carhartt-branded workwear falls within three categories – relaxed, original, and loose, with each option providing insight into what you can expect when you put it on. 

Relaxed

A relaxed fit describes a garment that balances a close silhouette and mobility. Garments with this cut are typically ideal for both casual wear and work. 

An example of a Carhartt jacket with a relaxed fit is the flame-resistant Full Swing® Quick Duck® coat. On a scale of form-fitted to loose-fitted, most reviewers describe it as form-fitted. It’s available in regular and tall to accommodate people of different heights, as well as sizes. 

Original

The original fit is the roomiest option of the Carhartt range. It makes it easy to layer garments over hoodies or base layers. You would opt for an original fit garment if you regularly work in challenging conditions where you need to layer up and down and ensure high visibility at all times. 

Loose

As the name suggests, a loose-fitting garment is one that’s extra generous for layering and range of motion. It’s a particularly desirable fit for workwear. An example of a loose-fit Carhartt jacket is the flame-resistant, high-visibility Force loose-fit midweight sweatshirt. 

This sweatshirt has regular and tall sizing options and is designed to be worn over multiple layers. It has extra space in the chest and shoulder area. 

Measuring Tutorial for Carhartt Garments

If you’re unsure how to confidently purchase a Carhartt jacket, bib, shirt, or other garment, the following measurement advice may help. 

How to Measure Yourself for a Jacket

1. Keep your undergarments on and any clothing you would intend to wear under a jacket

2. Obtain a soft measuring tape

3. Measure just under your arms and across the shoulder blades. Hold the measuring tape firm and level. If your chest measurements fall between two sizes on the provided sizes chart, go up a size. 

4. Measure your natural waist – bend from side to side to find the natural bend. It isn’t always the smallest point. 

How to Measure Yourself for Overalls and Coveralls

1. Measure your height to determine if you need to buy short (5’3”-5’7”), regular (5’7”-5’11”), or tall (5’11”-6’3”) overalls 

2. Measure your natural waist (find it by bending side to side) 

3. Measure the inseam. With a soft tape measure, measure from the crotch down to your preferred length. Alternatively, measure pants you already own and like. Lay them flat and measure from the crotch point along the seam to the hem. 

How to Measure Yourself for Work Shirts

Whether you’re buying a loose, casual, or relaxed-fit shirt, you can measure yourself by following these steps:

1. Measure slightly under your arms and across your shoulder blades with a soft tape measure

2. Measure your natural waist by bending side to side to find it.  

Line-Specific Fit Tips

After owning several Carhartt garments or browsing the options online or in-store, you may have realized that different items can fit differently. This can be confusing when you typically shop for one standard size. 

However, there’s a method to the madness of different fits and sizes. For example, the popular Detroit jackets run true to size, but still leave enough room for light layering, such as a t-shirt underneath. 

In the Shoreline Rainwear range, they are slightly oversized to allow for multiple layers underneath in colder weather. After all, rainy weather often means cold weather! If you’re buying Rugged FlexⓇ jeans, you’ll likely find that you can order your regular size, but they have a bit of extra stretch for mobility and comfort. 

If you’re buying quilt-lined jackets for the colder weather, consider sizing up so you allow for the quilt lining as well as any additional layers you plan to wear.

Shop Carhartt with J.M.D. Sox Outlet Today

Are you ready to shop with confidence? Add your favorite Carhartt apparel to your shopping cart today. If you’re still unsure of the best sizes to buy, visit your local J.M.D. Sox Outlet store in Illinois. Our team is always happy to help our customers choose the right garments for the right occasions – and in the right size and fit!