Guide · sizing
Measure the garment, not the label
Sizes on agent sheets are a translation layer between three sizing systems and a seller who has never worn the item. The label is a guess. Three measurements are not.
The three numbers
- Shoulder seam to seam, flat
- Chest pit to pit, flat
- Length collar to hem
Write them down once. They replace every size chart on the sheet.
Why the chart disagrees with the label
A size chart is a table of body measurements. A garment label is a production decision. When a factory cuts a hoodie to fit a 96 cm chest, it prints “M” on it — and the same letter means something else in the next factory. The sheet can only record what the seller claims; it cannot fix the translation.
That is why the most useful rows are the ones that publish a flat measurement instead of a letter. When a row says “shoulder 52 cm”, that is a fact you can compare. When it says “L”, it is an opinion.
How to measure in three steps
- 01
Pick a garment that already fits
Not the one you wish fit. The one you reach for without thinking.
- 02
Lay it flat and measure
Shoulder seam to shoulder seam, pit to pit, collar to hem. Round to the nearest 0.5 cm.
- 03
Add or subtract for the cut
Boxy cuts need less shoulder. Oversized runs need more length. Adjust before comparing.
Letter sizes, converted
| Label | Chest (cm) | Shoulder (cm) | Length (cm) | Sleeve (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 100–104 | 44–45 | 66–68 | 60–61 |
| M | 106–110 | 46–47 | 69–71 | 61–62 |
| L | 112–116 | 48–50 | 72–74 | 62–63 |
| XL | 118–124 | 51–53 | 75–77 | 63–64 |
| XXL | 126–132 | 54–56 | 78–80 | 64–65 |
Ranges, not points. A row that only gives a letter is hiding the range; ask which end of it the factory cut.
Shoes: ask for the insole
Every seller converts EU sizes differently, and half sizes are where it breaks. The insole measurement in centimetres is the only number that survives the conversion, and it takes one message to get.
If the seller says
- “True to size” → insole 26.5 cm for EU 42
- “Runs small” → insole 26.0 cm for EU 42
- “Runs large” → insole 27.0 cm for EU 42
What to ask instead
“Can you measure the insole from heel to toe in centimetres and photograph it next to a ruler?”
One message. No exchange. Worth it every time.
The four mistakes that cost the most
Ordering your retail size
Agent garments are cut to a body, not to a brand. Your retail size is a starting point, never a conclusion.
Trusting “oversized”
Oversized is a cut, not a size. Two oversized hoodies can differ by 8 cm at the shoulder.
Ignoring shrinkage
Cotton loses 2–4% in length. On a cropped piece that is the whole difference.
Not asking for the flat photo
A garment lying flat next to a tape measure answers more questions than any size chart.
FAQ
Sizing questions
Should I trust the size chart on the spreadsheet?
Only when the row says where the chart came from. Charts copied from the retail product page are usually accurate; charts typed by the seller are usually optimistic by one size.
What measurement matters most for tops?
Shoulder width. Chest is forgiving, shoulder is not — and shoulder is the number sellers most often round up.
Do shoes run true to size?
Mostly, but the exceptions are expensive. Ask for an insole measurement in centimetres; it converts every seller’s own sizing into one number you can compare.
How do I measure a garment I already own?
Lay it flat, measure shoulder seam to shoulder seam, pit to pit, and collar to hem. Those three numbers are enough to match almost anything on the sheet.