How do I choose a size from an unfamiliar chart?
Compare the exact listing’s measurements with a similar item that fits you well. Use the same units and measuring points on both pieces. A familiar S, M or L label, or your height and weight alone, cannot show how a particular cut will fit.
First establish whether the chart describes a person’s body, a finished garment’s circumference or a flat garment’s width. For example, a flat chest width of 56 cm corresponds to about 112 cm around that garment when doubled; it is not a recommended body chest size.
Measure a reference garment the same way
- Choose the same type of garment and the fit you want: compare a hoodie with a hoodie rather than a thin T-shirt.
- Fasten closures, lay it flat and smooth it without stretching the fabric.
- Use a flexible tape, keeping it straight and visible from its starting point.
- Record the measuring points, units and whether the fabric or waistband was stretched.
- Repeat an unexpected measurement before choosing a different size.
Which measurements matter for each garment?
| Item | Measurements to compare | Details that change the comparison |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirts and jerseys | Chest width and body length. | Check where length starts and whether the cut is cropped or oversized. |
| Hoodies and jackets | Chest, body length, shoulder and sleeve. | Allow for the layers you intend to wear; dropped shoulders change sleeve starting points. |
| Pants and shorts | Flat waist, front rise, inseam and total length. | Record relaxed or stretched waist; check thigh and leg opening for the intended silhouette. |
Measure the chest from underarm to underarm on a laid-flat top. For body length, note the exact shoulder or neck point used. For an inseam, measure from the crotch seam down the inside leg. Do not compare a center-back length with a shoulder-to-hem length as if they were identical.
Once the measuring points match, consider the intended shape as well. The boxy versus oversized T-shirt comparison shows why two tops with similar width can sit differently over the same trousers.
A worked hoodie comparison
Suppose your comfortable hoodie measures 58 cm across the chest and 69 cm in body length. Two chart options show the following measurements, taken by the same method:
| Measurement | Your hoodie | Option A | Option B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat chest | 58 cm | 56 cm | 59 cm |
| Body length | 69 cm | 68 cm | 71 cm |
Option A is 2 cm narrower across the chest; Option B is 1 cm wider and 2 cm longer. Option B is closer in width but will not reproduce the same length. Compare those differences against the fit you want, then check shoulder and sleeve measurements before deciding.
This is a comparison exercise, not a recommendation to size up. Fabric stretch, lining, construction and measurement variation can still change the result. A slightly different figure is not automatically a defect; ask what tolerance the listing states.
Convert centimetres and inches before comparing
Inches = centimetres ÷ 2.54. Centimetres = inches × 2.54. Keep the unrounded figure while calculating, then round consistently for your notes. A 56 cm flat chest is approximately 22.05 inches. A 22-inch flat width is 55.88 cm, so those two values are very close.
A flat waistband and a waist circumference need the same distinction as a chest measurement. Doubling a relaxed flat waist gives an approximate garment circumference; it does not account for stretch or establish which body size will feel comfortable.
Shoes: foot length and insole length are different
Measure both feet while standing, using a wall and a sheet of paper to mark the heel-to-longest-toe distance. Wear the type of socks you expect to use and record the longer foot. Compare it with the exact model’s fit guidance; US, UK and EU labels alone are not interchangeable across every listing.
An insole measurement describes the inside component, not your foot. Ask whether an insole is removable and how it is measured before using a photograph. There is no single extra-length allowance that works for every shoe shape, width and intended fit. If the chart gives only an unexplained number, ask what it measures.
What should I ask when the size chart is unclear?
Please confirm the measurements for [item and selected size]: flat chest from underarm to underarm, body length from [stated point], and sleeve from [stated point]. Please show the tape from zero to the endpoint in centimetres, with the garment flat and unstretched. My reference item measures [values] using the same points.
For pants, replace the measurements with relaxed waist, rise and inseam. For shoes, ask for the exact size label and the stated foot-length or insole method. Confirm any measurement-service fee and review the answer before your return deadline.
When the item arrives, compare your own order-specific QC measurements with the saved chart. Keep the chart and measurement photos together so any discrepancy can be explained clearly.