Clothing sizes are not standardised. A size 10 from one label can sit a full size away from a size 10 from another, and the same label can differ between a woven blouse and a stretch jersey top. This is why ordering by the number you usually wear produces so many returns. Measurements are the only figures that transfer reliably between brands.
Taking them takes about five minutes and only needs a soft tape measure. Done once, the numbers stay useful for a long time.
The four measurements worth having
Measure over your underwear rather than over clothing, and keep the tape level and snug without pulling it tight.
- Bust: around the fullest part, with the tape flat across your back.
- Waist: at the narrowest point, usually just above the navel. Bend to one side; the crease that forms is the spot.
- Hip: around the widest part of the hips and seat, roughly twenty centimetres below the waist.
- Inseam: from the top of the inner thigh to the ankle bone, for trousers and full-length styles.
Write the four numbers down and keep them in your phone. Compare them against the size chart on each product page rather than assuming consistency across styles.
When measurements land between sizes
Most bodies do not match a single column across all four numbers. The usual advice is to size to the largest measurement and adjust from there, but which measurement leads depends on the garment.
- For fitted dresses and tailored pieces, let the bust or hip lead, whichever is proportionally further from the chart.
- For trousers, let the hip lead. A waist that is slightly loose is a far easier alteration than a hip that is tight.
- For relaxed and oversized cuts, the smaller size is often the better choice, since the design already includes extra room.
Fabric changes the answer
Two garments with identical measurements can fit very differently depending on what they are made from. A woven cotton or linen piece has almost no give, so the chart should be followed closely. Anything with elastane will stretch to accommodate a centimetre or two. Heavy knitwear relaxes with wear and tends to grow slightly rather than shrink.
Check the fibre content on the product page before deciding. It is the single most useful line of information after the size chart.
Reading the fit description
Words like slim, regular, relaxed and oversized describe the cut, not the size. A relaxed size 12 and a slim size 12 can differ by several centimetres through the body. If a description mentions that a style runs small or large, treat that as a direct instruction and adjust.
If it still is not right
Even with careful measuring, some pieces will not suit. That is normal, and it is what the return window exists for. Our Refund Policy sets out the timeframe and condition requirements, and the FAQ answers the questions we receive most often about sizing. If you are unsure between two sizes before ordering, send us your measurements and the style you are considering through the Contact page and we will give you a straight answer.
