Short answer: if your bust, waist, and hip measurements fit within one size on the chart and you like a classic cut, a ready-made jacket will fit well. If you are between sizes, have broad shoulders, a larger bust relative to your waist, or are looking for a specific color and fabric, it is better to have it made to measure.
Since 2019, over 300 women have come through my studio. At the first consultation, I most often hear one sentence: “Nothing in the shops fits me.” Usually, it is not the figure’s fault. It is the fault of a jacket cut to fit one average size. Below, I show you how to check the fit in the fitting room or at home, and how to choose between a ready-made model and a jacket made to measure.
How to check if a jacket fits well?
Put the jacket on over a thin blouse that you will wear it with most often. Button it and stand in front of a mirror. Check five areas.
- Shoulders. The shoulder seam should end where your shoulder ends. If it extends beyond it, the jacket is too wide. If a dip forms right at the sleeve, it is too narrow.
- Back. Cross your arms in front of you as if you were reaching for a cup. The jacket should not pull across your shoulder blades. A tight back is the problem clients mention most often.
- Bust. A buttoned jacket should not create X-shaped folds around the buttons. The lapels should lie flat, and the fastening should not stand out.
- Sleeve. With your arm down, it should end roughly at the wrist bone. This allows your shirt cuff or bracelet to be visible.
- Length. A short, boxy jacket ends at the waist or just below it. A tailored one reaches the hips. If the jacket ends exactly at the widest part of your hips, change the style, not the size.
If the jacket “passes” all five points, you have found your style. If two or three require adjustments, a tailor can only help partially. The sleeve can usually be shortened. The shoulders and back are practically impossible to alter without unpicking the entire jacket.
When is a ready-made jacket enough?
A ready-made model is a good choice when:
- Your bust, waist, and hip measurements fit within one column of the size chart,
- you like classic styles and colors that are easy to pair with the rest of your wardrobe,
- you want the jacket sooner and without a consultation.
My ready-made jackets are not kept in stock. The tailors in my studio sew them after an order is placed, in your size from the chart. This takes about 10 business days. You choose a ready-made design and fabric, and I make sure the jacket is finished with the same care as any other.
If this is your first tweed jacket, start with a tailored model in navy or in ecru. These two colors pair well with jeans, a white shirt, and black trousers, so the jacket will not wait in your wardrobe for an occasion. If you prefer a looser fit that you can also wear over a sweater, choose a boxy cut. You can find ideas on how to wear a dark jacket every day in the article Black bouclé jacket: 7 styling ideas.
Navy tweed jacket buttoned upView model 
Tweed jacket in ecruView model 
Black tweed jacket with lurex threadView model 
Ecru tweed jacket with a boxy cutView model
There is also a middle ground. If a ready-made model is close to your style, but you want to change the fabric or a detail, write to me. I will check if it can be made as a custom order.
When is it worth having a jacket made to measure?
- you are between sizes, for example, your bust is a 40 and your waist is a 36,
- ready-made jackets pull across your back or stand out at the bust,
- you have longer or shorter arms than average,
- you are looking for a specific color in which you feel good,
- you want a jacket designed for your lifestyle: for the office, for jeans, for special occasions.
With a custom order, I do not start with a size. I start with a conversation. I ask what situations you will wear the jacket in, what has been wrong so far, and what colors you feel best in. Then you choose a couture tweed and trim set, and I design the jacket based on 12 of your measurements. You will take the measurements yourself at home, following my step-by-step instructions. The tailors in my studio sew it for you, with hand-finished details.
“The thing that usually causes me trouble, that tight back, is perfect in your coat.”
MiaGiacca customer
You can find more such stories in the customer reviews.
I accept custom orders in editions, with 10 places each. The next one opens on November 16, 2026, along with a new selection of tweeds. Production takes about 6–8 weeks from the closing of orders.
Ready-made or made to measure: comparison
| Ready-made jacket | Jacket made to measure | |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | size from the chart | 12 of your measurements |
| Fabric | wool tweed from a selected model | a couture tweed and trim set chosen by you |
| Consultation | not required | conversation with me online or in Szczecin |
| Production time | about 10 business days | about 6–8 weeks from the closing of the edition |
| Availability | all year round | in editions, 10 places |
Frequently asked questions
I am between sizes. Which one should I choose?
Go by your bust circumference and back width, because the jacket cannot be widened there. The waist and sleeve are easier to adjust. If the difference is more than one size, consider having it made to measure or write to me with your measurements.
Can I return a ready-made jacket if it does not fit?
Yes. You can return an unworn jacket within 14 days of delivery. Details can be found on the shipping and returns page.
Can online made-to-measure tailoring work without a fitting?
Yes. You receive instructions describing each measurement, and you can also take the measurements at a tailor shop. I fulfill orders for customers from Poland, Germany, France, the USA, and Australia. Before starting work, I check your measurements and ask follow-up questions if anything raises a doubt.
Is a tweed jacket suitable for everyday wear?
Yes, and that is exactly when it shows its worth. Jeans, a shirt, a jacket. And you are ready, whether you are going to a meeting or picking up the children from school.
How long will a tweed jacket last?
A well-made jacket from wool tweed will last for years. Wool holds its shape, and a classic cut does not go out of fashion. After wearing it, air it out and hang it on a wide hanger.
If you still do not know which path is right for you, write to me on Instagram @miagiacca or at store@miagiacca.com. Send me your measurements, and I will advise you.