snug fit as a positive meaning

[JungKim]

When you try on a jacket, can you say "It's snug" to mean that it fits perfectly?
Or does it always mean that it's tight?

 

[Barque]

Something that fits snugly is close-fitting, without being too tight. In your sentence, I suppose you could say "It's snug" in your situation, provided it's close-fitting.

 

[JungKim]

But you could also be saying "It's snug" to mean that it's tight enough to go up one size, right?

 

[Uncle Jack]

It depends what you are looking for. With some clothes you may be looking for a loose fit, so to find somthing that is a snug fit means you want to go up a size. For another garment a snug fit is exactly right.
'Snug fit' is sometimes used for 'tight fit', but the usual meaning is generally positive.

 

[Barque]

But you could also be saying "It's snug" to mean that it's tight enough to go up one size, right?

I wouldn't use "snug" that way.

snug (WR dictionary): fitting closely or tightly, such as a piece of clothing: a snug sweater.

The usual impression that "snug-fitting" conveys is a close but comfortable fit.

 

[dojibear]

When you try on a jacket, can you say "It's snug" to mean that it fits perfectly?
Or does it always mean that it's tight?

It does not mean either of those. Use "snug" to describe the fit, but not to say it fits well or poorly. "Snug" does not mean "too tight". It also does not mean "tight but not too tight".

In other words, "snug" is not a good/bad value judgement about the fit.

Some people, for some garments, want a "snug fit". With other garments, some people want a "loose fit". It is often an individual choice. I hate T-shirts that are tight (snug) on me, while other people like their T-shirts to be tight. I am the same about sweaters.