Size Chart Decoder
Every brand has a size chart, and almost none of them make it easy. Some list your body measurements, and some list the garment’s. Some measure flat, so every number is half what you expect. And when your bust says one size and your hips say another, the chart just shrugs.
The Size Chart Decoder does the fitting room math for you. Enter your measurements, copy in the brand’s chart, and you’ll see exactly which size to order and where it will be snug or roomy.
Decode any size chart
Copy the brand’s chart in, and see which size to order and where it’ll pull.
| Size | Bust | Waist | Hips |
|---|
How to use the decoder
- Enter your measurements. Bust, waist and hips, measured snugly in your usual bra. Not sure how? The Plus Petite Size Calculator page has step-by-step instructions.
- Choose what you’re buying. Tops are sized by bust, pants and skirts by waist and hips, and dresses by all three.
- Check the chart’s heading. It will say body measurements or garment measurements. This is the step most people miss.
- Pick how you like things to fit, from close to relaxed.
- Copy in the brand’s chart, smallest size first. Skip any column the brand doesn’t list.
Body measurements vs garment measurements
This one detail explains most online ordering mistakes.
- Body measurements describe the person a size is made for. If the chart says 46″ bust, it’s designed for a woman with a 46″ bust.
- Garment measurements describe the clothes themselves. A top with a 46″ bust measurement is 46″ around, and it would be skin-tight on a 46″ bust.
- Flat measurements are garment measurements taken across the front only. Double them to get the full measurement.
The decoder handles all three. For garment charts, it adds the extra room (called “ease”) you need to move and breathe.
How the decoder picks your size
It checks each size, smallest first, and chooses the first one that fits every measurement that matters for that garment. The room you need depends on the chart type and how you like things to fit:
| Chart type | Close fit | Skims, not tight | Relaxed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body measurements | Up to 1″ smaller than you | At least your measurement | 1″ or more bigger than you |
| Garment: bust and hips | You + 1″ | You + 3″ | You + 5″ |
| Garment: waist on dresses | You + 1″ | You + 2″ | You + 4″ |
| Garment: waist on pants and skirts | Same as you | You + 1″ | You + 2″ |
The extra room the decoder looks for in each size. Flat measurements are doubled first.
After it picks a size, it tells you where that size will be snug, just right or roomy. If the next size down misses by less than an inch in only one spot, it tells you you’re between sizes.
When you’re between sizes
Being between sizes is normal when you’re curvy. Here’s how to decide:
- Is there stretch? Check the fabric content. With 3% or more elastane, the smaller size often works.
- Where’s the tight spot? Tight at the waist can be forgiven with stretch. Tight at the bust, shoulders or hips can’t.
- Can you tailor the bigger size? Taking in a waist is easy and cheap. See the Tailor or Return? Fit Checker for what’s fixable.
- Check the reviews. Look for comments from women with similar measurements. “Runs small” from three shoppers is worth listening to.
Ruth’s fit note
Buy for the part that can’t be changed. On tops and dresses, that’s your bust and shoulders. On pants and skirts, it’s your hips.
Everything else, like a gaping waist or a long hem, is a quick trip to the tailor. You’re not hard to dress. You just need to know which number to trust.
What size charts don’t tell you
Size charts are all about width. They say nothing about where the waist sits, how long the sleeves are, or the rise on pants. That’s the petite part of plus petite, and it’s why a size that’s “right” can still look wrong.
Look for these extra details on the product page, and compare them with your numbers from the Pants Rise & Inseam Finder:
- Sleeve length, from shoulder seam to cuff
- Body length, from shoulder to hem
- Front rise and inseam on pants
- Whether a petite or petite plus version exists
Frequently asked questions
Should I always size up if I’m plus size?
No. Size for your largest relevant measurement and tailor the rest. Sizing up beyond that gives you more length and more fabric everywhere, which is usually the last thing a petite frame needs.
What if the chart gives a range, like 44–46″?
Enter the top of the range. That’s the largest body the size is designed for, which is what the decoder needs to check.
What if the brand uses S, M, L or 1X, 2X?
Type the size names exactly as the brand writes them. The decoder works with any label, as long as you enter the sizes in order from smallest to largest.
Why does my size change between brands?
There’s no legal standard for clothing sizes, so every brand sets its own. A 20W in one brand can be a 22W in another. That’s exactly why checking each chart is worth the minute it takes.
Can I use this for UK or EU sizes?
Yes. Switch to centimeters if the chart is metric, and type the size labels as written.
More Plum & Poise fit tools
- Plus Petite Size Calculator: your size range in a minute.
- Tailor or Return? Fit Checker: know what’s worth fixing.
- Pants Rise & Inseam Finder: the length numbers size charts leave out.
- Short-Waisted or Long-Waisted Test: find where your waist really sits.