How to figure out how much to shorten sleeves on leather jacket

[polarWhite]

I understand that once a new leather jacket has been broken in, the sleeves will shorten a bit due to folds and creases mostly formed around the elbow.

Currently, the sleeves are a bit long and I am wondering how much break-in should I do before determining if I need them to be shortened and if so by how much.

Also, since the leather is thick and stiff (steerhide and horsehide), what's the best way to figure out how much needs to be shortened? It's not like I can simply fold the sleeve up to the desired length.

Finally, speaking of desires lengthy, if I don't plan to use it as a riding Jacket
(I decide to stick to my gortex armored gear for riding), are the sleeves supposed to rest on the wrist bone or further down?

Attached are pics of where the sleeves rest currently.

Thanks
PW

 

[RDS]

Firstly, there isn’t any absolute prescribed length for sleeves and it’s really all down to personal preference.
What one person regards as too short someone else might think perfect, while another says too long. There are those who want the cuffs to end at the wrist joint, some to have them fall between wrist and thumb joint and others prefer them even further down.
Personally I think the sleeves on your two jackets look fine and I’d be happy to leave them as there are. However, I certainly wouldn’t do anything at all about reducing their length until both jackets have had a lot more regular wear. As they have zipped cuffs any alterations are a little less straightforward (and consequently more costly)

 

[barnabus]

are the sleeves supposed to rest on the wrist bone or further down?

There's no "supposed to". Wherever they're comfortable and you think it looks right.

 

[Bennarion]

Don't jump to conclusions. Time will tell and your opinion will change.

 

[Will Zach]

On the Schott, the sleeves might indeed be a bit long. They are resting below your wrists, and, being stiff, might push the shoulders up. That is what would bother me if this was my Schott - the shoulders are pushed up. But I am not sure if this is due to the sleeves. Maybe you can open up the sleeve zippers so the sleeves hang freely, and pat the shoulders down with a damp rag. See if the jacket shoulders conform more to your body. Then check where the open sleeve cuffs fall on your hand. That might give you an idea by how much (if any) to shorten. The Vanson looks good.

 

[polarWhite]

On the Schott, the sleeves might indeed be a bit long. They are resting below your wrists, and, being stiff, might push the shoulders up. That is what would bother me if this was my Schott - the shoulders are pushed up. But I am not sure if this is due to the sleeves. Maybe you can open up the sleeve zippers so the sleeves hang freely, and pat the shoulders down with a damp rag. See if the jacket shoulders conform more to your body. Then check where the open sleeve cuffs fall on your hand. That might give you an idea by how much (if any) to shorten. The Vanson looks good.

Good observation. You are exactly right, the zipped up sleeves being too long push up the whole sleeve which in turn push up the shoulders.

As you recommend, I will unzip them and let them hang and then mark accordingly at where I want them to rest. Probably between wrist bone and thumb bone.

Thanks!

 

[Will Zach]

Good observation. You are exactly right, the zipped up sleeves being too long push up the whole sleeve which in turn push up the shoulders.

As you recommend, I will unzip them and let them hang and then mark accordingly at where I want them to rest. Probably between wrist bone and thumb bone.

Thanks!

I would also recommend the trick of wetting and patting down the shoulders. Wet leather is remarkably pliable and able to conform to the body, particularly if allowed to dry with jacket on.

 

[polarWhite]

I would also recommend the trick of wetting and patting down the shoulders. Wet leather is remarkably pliable and able to conform to the body, particularly if allowed to dry with jacket on.

Thanks for the tips!