Pakistani Clothes Sizing for Overseas Buyers

Why one label does not mean one size

Brands cut their patterns differently, so a medium from one label can fit like a small or a large from another. Fit styles also vary: a straight kurta, an A-line shirt and a loose shirt on the same size chart will sit differently on you. Some brands name sizes with letters, others with numbers, and a number may refer to a bust measurement in inches, so check what the number means before you convert.

The size chart on the brand's own page is the only source that matches that garment. Look for whether the chart shows body measurements or garment measurements, because the two give different answers.

Body chart or garment chart?

A body chart tells you which body a size is made for. A garment chart tells you how big the finished piece is, so it includes the room built into the design. If the chart does not say which it is, ask the brand in writing.

A simple check is to lay a shirt you already like flat, measure across the chest and double it, and compare that number with the garment chart. If it matches the chart for the size you are considering, the cut should feel similar. This works only when the chart is a garment chart.

Measure yourself first

Measure over light clothing: bust at the fullest point, waist at the narrowest point, hip at the fullest point, and the shirt length from the shoulder to where you want it to end. Add shoulder width, sleeve length and, for trousers, the waist and the length to the ankle. Write the numbers down in one unit, either centimetres or inches, and keep them with you while you shop. The size guide has a converter between centimetres and inches.

Then compare each measurement with the chart. If your bust fits one size and your hip fits another, the larger size is easier to alter than a smaller one. The full method is in how to measure yourself and compare size charts.

Kameez length, sleeves and trousers

Kameez length is the part people most often get wrong online, since a brand's long shirt can end at a different point on you than on the model. Compare the listed shirt length with a kameez you own. Check the sleeve and armhole measurements if you prefer a looser sleeve.

For trousers, find out whether the waist is elastic or tailored, and whether the length is listed. A straight trouser, a shalwar and a wide-leg trouser need different amounts of room. Heavily embroidered shirts have limited room to alter, because the work sits on the seams, so choose the size you need rather than planning to fix it later.

Unstitched fabric and local tailoring

Unstitched suits avoid the size problem, because a tailor near you cuts the fabric to your measurements. That is often the easier route when you live abroad and returns are costly. Check the fabric length on the listing, since a tall person or a long shirt needs more fabric.

Tailoring cost and time depend on where you live, and tailors can be fully booked before Eid, so ask a tailor before you buy if the outfit is for a date. The stitched vs unstitched guide compares the two.

What to do when you are between sizes

Ask the brand's customer service for the garment measurements of the two sizes, in writing. Choose the size that gives you room, since taking in is simpler than letting out. Read the return rules before you pay, as many brands do not take back stitched items or sale items from overseas. See how to buy Pakistani clothes from abroad.

Before you order

• Write down your body measurements in one unit.
• Find the chart for this exact item, and note whether it shows body or garment sizes.
• Compare the shirt length and the trouser length, not only the bust.
• Save the chart and the product page as a screenshot.
• Read the return and exchange rule for your country on the brand's site.