How We Measure

We provide you with two measurement sources:

The “Branded” Size

We list the manufacturers’ label size, as is. If it’s a “small” we will use an “S” but if it’s a European code (or other), we don’t convert it. The good news is, if it’s a brand that you’re familiar with, you will have a good idea of how it will fit. Even if you’re familiar with the brand, we urge you to utilize the Plaid and Lace measurements as well.

The Plaid and Lace Measurements

We provide raw measurements of the item. We urge you to use this information to ensure that you will be satisfied with the fit of the item unless you are completely confident the label size is accurate enough. Here is a description of how we measure:

Bottoms: Jeans, pants, shorts are measured the same. The waist is measured at the top of the waist band, laid flat, button/snap/zipper (if any) engaged and the fabric is relaxed, not stretched. This number is doubled to provide the true circumference of waist. The inseam is measured from the bottom of the cuff or hem to the crotch seam. We round the number down to a whole number if there is a fraction (e.g. waist total is 33 1/2 inches, we round that down to 33 inches), with the assumption that more size in the waist or a slightly longer hem is the safest approach.

Tops: The chest size is measured from the bottom of the arm seam to its opposite side. The item is laid flat, buttons/snaps/zipper etc. (if any) are engaged and the fabric is smoothed and any gathering (front or back) is relaxed. This number is doubled to reflect the true circumference of the item. The length is measured from where the yoke meets the collar (or neck seam for tops without collars) to the bottom of the hem.   

Dresses: As with Tops, the chest size is measured from the bottom of the arm seam to its opposite side. The item is laid flat, buttons/snaps/zipper etc. (if any) are engaged and the fabric is smoothed, and any gathering (front or back) is relaxed. This number is doubled to reflect the true circumference of the item. The length is measured from the top of the arm hole to the hem.

Skirts: As with Pants, the waist is measured at the top of the waist band, laid flat, button/snap/zipper (if any) engaged and the fabric is relaxed, not stretched. This number is doubled to provide the true circumference of waist. Measuring the length of a skirt can be challenging. As with all clothes, we lay the item out flat, smoothed but relaxed. We measure from the top of the waist band at the side (not the center) of the item to the bottom of the hem (again, at the side of the item).

At first glance, this can appear to be a lot of information. For the most part, the process we follow for the measurements we provide is pretty basic. Our purpose for providing this information is to give you tool to more easily find clothes that will fit the way you want. Using this information as a starting place, some customers create a simple chart of measurements (chest, waist etc.) based on clothes they already have to ensure the desired fit. If you would like more information, including the illustrations we use for staff training, please send us a note through our “contact us” and we will email you that information.

updated: August 11, 2025