how should the vest fit me?

Currently it is nice and snug accross the belly, bar is at my belly button. Have about 1" on each side of the bar before it hits the stops.

area up at the chest is floppy. It is like I need some boobs to fill up the extra space since there are no snaps there.

Please advise. I dont want things to stretch and have the vest not fit.

Oh I have a 38" waist and a 38" chest. Have an XL vest.

Use a medium, and when I tension my chest up the thing does not budge a bit (39" chest, 34" gut).
Had it for a long time now, am really stoked with it.
Think you should go for the L, if not the M, as it does slacken up and take your shape with time.
Nico

I got a dakine impact vest, and it is snug around my body but a little loose around the shoulders. Any ideas how to tighten it up?

It doesn't have adjustable shoulder straps like the cabrinha.

-tm

You got too big of a vest. You should fit in size Medium of the Cabrinha vest.