When choosing clothes at an online store, many of you have surely felt anxious at least once, wondering, "Will the size be okay?" With only photos and text, it is often difficult to convey the thickness of the material, the feel of the garment, or how it sits on the body. That is precisely why, even when you find a piece of clothing you love, you might hesitate to buy it because you are unsure about the size.
To help ease that anxiety, we recommend measuring the clothes you wear often and keeping those numbers on hand. Having a reference garment makes it easier to compare against the sizes listed on an online store's product page, allowing you to make purchase decisions without hesitation.
When actually taking measurements, there are a few points to keep in mind for accuracy. Place the garment on a flat surface and measure it while gently smoothing out any wrinkles. The key here is not to pull on the fabric too much. Also, depending on the area, you may need to measure in a straight line or along the seam. Being mindful of which method to use will help prevent numerical discrepancies and give you a more accurate grasp of the size.
When measuring tops, you should generally check the "length," "bust," "shoulder width," and "sleeve length."
・Length: The straight-line distance from the starting point of the collar to the hem
・Bust: Twice the straight-line distance between the underarm seams
・Shoulder width: The straight-line distance between the seam-to-seam points of the shoulder transitions
・Sleeve length: The straight-line distance from the shoulder transition to the cuff
※For drop-shoulder designs, do not separate shoulder width and sleeve length; instead, measure the "yuki length" (sleeve length from the center of the collar tag to the cuff).
It is also reassuring to measure the armhole and cuff.
・Armhole: Twice the distance measured along the seam from the shoulder seam to the underarm seam
・Cuff: Twice the straight-line distance from one edge of the cuff to the other
Measuring the neck width and depth also makes it easier to visualize the fit around the neck.
Neck width: The straight-line distance between the widest points of the collar
Neck depth: The straight-line distance from the deepest part of the collar to the shoulder line
For bottoms, check the "waist," "rise," "inseam," "thigh width," and "hem width."
・Waist: Twice the straight-line distance of the waist width
・Rise: The straight-line distance from the top edge of the side of the waistband to the crotch seam
・Inseam: The distance measured along the seam from the crotch to the hem
・Thigh width: The straight-line distance across the crotch seam
・Hem width: The straight-line distance between both edges of the hem
It is convenient to keep the measured sizes in a note on your smartphone or as a photo. Organizing them into tops and bottoms makes them easier to look back on and allows for quick comparison the next time you shop online. For example, by summarizing the data as "Length: 65cm," "Bust: 110cm," etc., you can compare them with the measurements on product pages without confusion.
Online product pages often include the model's height and the size they are wearing, as well as photos of the garment being worn. Since it can be hard to judge just from numbers, these serve as hints for the actual silhouette and length, so use them as a reference when comparing with your own height to imagine, "How long will this look on me?" or "What kind of impression will the shoulder line give?" Wearing photos are also helpful for gauging sleeve length and overall balance. Especially for items intended for layering or those with loose silhouettes, this visual information makes the mental image of the finished look much more concrete.
It is also important to picture the scene in which you want to wear the item. Is it for daily use to wear simply on its own, for winter outfits with layers, for workwear to be worn for long hours, or for outings with friends? The necessary ease and length naturally change depending on your purpose. For example, a knit sweater you want to wear comfortably on the weekend is better with a little extra room, while for a shirt where you value a sharp, professional look for the office, checking the shoulder width and sleeve length carefully will give you peace of mind.
Furthermore, the material and design are essential points in choosing a size. Even with the same measurements, the feel of the garment varies depending on the material's elasticity, thickness, and stiffness—whether it is wool, cotton, or linen. While a thin shirt may be easy to move in even at a "just right" size, a thick knit might feel more comfortable with a bit of room. Since the fit also changes depending on the design, be sure to read the product description in addition to the measurements.
Online clothes shopping might feel like a bit of a hassle. However, by measuring a reference garment, saving the measurements on your smartphone, and imagining the scene while referencing wearing photos, you can make choosing a size much more reassuring. The moment you put on the item you ordered and feel, "It's just as I imagined—it feels great," the enjoyment of online shopping is sure to grow.
By imagining the occasion and comparing the numbers against the clothes you already have, these small adjustments turn online shopping into a more accessible and enjoyable experience.