Size is the single most common reason an online clothing order goes back. It is not because shoppers make careless choices — it is because a “medium” from one brand is not a medium from another, and most size charts assume you already know how to read them. This guide explains how to measure, what the numbers mean, and how to decide when you are between sizes.
Why does size vary so much between brands?
Because there is no enforced standard. Sizing systems vary by country of origin, by the market a brand sells into, and by the fit that brand has decided to use. A garment made for the Asian market is often cut smaller than the same label size made for Europe or North America. Even within one market, a slim fit and a relaxed fit in the same size number are different garments. The label is a starting point, not a guarantee.
How do I measure myself correctly?
Use a soft tape measure, wear light clothing, and keep the tape level — not pulled tight and not loose. Measure your bust at the fullest point, your waist at its narrowest, and your hips at the fullest. Write the numbers down. If you measure once and remember the figures, you can compare against any size chart without measuring again.
What do the measurements on a size chart actually mean?
Two different things, and confusing them causes most of the errors. Some charts list body measurements — what the garment is designed to fit. Others list garment measurements — the actual flat measurements of the item, usually while laid flat. A body-measurement chart and a garment-measurement chart for the same size will disagree, and both can be correct. Check which one you are reading before you compare.
Should I size up or down if I am between sizes?
It depends on the fabric and the cut. For a structured or non-stretch garment, size up — you can take it in, but you cannot add fabric. For a stretch knit or a loose cut, size down. For anything you intend to wear over other layers, size up. If the description mentions “fitted” or “slim”, assume it runs small.
| Measurement | How to take it | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Oberweite | Around the fullest point, tape level | Measuring over a padded bra you will not wear with it |
| Taille | At the narrowest point, usually above the navel | Holding the stomach in |
| Hüfte | At the fullest point, feet together | Measuring too high |
| Inseam | Crotch seam to hem on a pair that fits | Measuring the outside leg |
| Garment flat | Lay flat, measure across, double it | Forgetting to double |
How do I measure a garment I already own?
Lay it flat, buttoned or zipped, and measure straight across the chest just below the armholes. Double that number for the full circumference. Do the same at the waist and hip. Compare those figures to the flat measurements of the item you are considering — this is the most reliable method there is, because it compares two garments rather than a garment and a body.
Which fabrics are more forgiving on size?
Knitted fabrics with elastane give, so a slight size error is absorbed. Woven fabrics — cotton poplin, linen, most formal fabrics — do not. Bias-cut garments drape and forgive more than straight-cut ones. If you are unsure and the garment is woven with no stretch, that is the case where sizing up is the safer choice.
How do I choose between two sizes for a dress?
Fit the largest of your three measurements. If your bust fits a small but your hips fit a medium, take the medium and adjust the top — taking a garment in is straightforward, letting it out usually is not. If the dress is fitted through the waist with no stretch, check the waist measurement specifically before deciding.
What if the size is wrong when it arrives?
Check the return window before you order, not after. Our returns policy allows 7 days, and items need to be unworn with tags and original packaging. Keep the packaging until you are sure — that is the detail most often missed, and without it a return can be refused even when the garment is unworn.
How can I check size before ordering?
Read the size chart on the product page, check whether it is body or garment measurements, and compare against either your own measurements or a garment you already own that fits well. If the listing does not state measurements, ask before ordering. See our size guide for the measurement tables we use, or contact us with a question about a specific item.