These tables give common benchmarks. Every brand has its own pattern: always check the retailer’s size chart before ordering, comparing your measurements in centimetres.
Tops, knitwear and jackets
| Letter | EU / FR | UK / US | Chest | Waist | Collar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XXS | 42 | 32 | 80 – 84 cm | 66 – 70 cm | 36 (14 in) |
| XS | 44 | 34 | 84 – 88 cm | 70 – 74 cm | 37 (14.5 in) |
| S | 46 | 36 | 88 – 94 cm | 74 – 80 cm | 38 (15 in) |
| M | 48 | 38 | 94 – 100 cm | 80 – 86 cm | 39 – 40 (15.5 in) |
Size M is shown for reference only: Twinkr focuses on XXS, XS and S. For suit jackets, the European size is roughly half the chest measurement (44 for 88 cm) and the UK size is the European one minus 10 (UK 34 = EU 44).
Jeans and trousers
| Size | Waist | Common French size | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| W26 | 66 cm | 34 | XXS |
| W27 | 69 cm | 36 | XXS – XS |
| W28 | 71 cm | 38 | XS |
| W29 | 74 cm | 38 – 40 | XS – S |
| W30 | 76 cm | 40 | S |
Inseam is written L: L28 ≈ 71 cm, L30 ≈ 76 cm, L32 ≈ 81 cm, L34 ≈ 86 cm. One inch is 2.54 cm.
The five measurements to take
Use a soft tape measure, measure yourself in a thin t-shirt and keep the tape snug but not tight.
- Chest: horizontally, under your arms, around the widest part of your chest.
- Waist: where you usually wear your trousers, not necessarily at your navel.
- Collar: around the base of your neck with one finger slipped under the tape; add one centimetre for a comfortable shirt.
- Arm length: from the tip of your shoulder to your wrist bone, with your arm slightly bent.
- Inseam: from your crotch to the floor or ankle bone, barefoot; or measure a pair of trousers that fits you, laid flat.
Reading a product page
- Flat measurements: a chest width given flat must be doubled to get the circumference.
- Garment or body measurements: a chart may give your body measurements or the garment’s; the garment is always slightly bigger than the body, that is the ease.
- Model’s size: “the model is 1.85 m and wears a M” tells you how the piece drapes, not necessarily how it will fit you.
- Fit: slim, regular, relaxed, boxy… the same size looks different from one cut to another.
Between two sizes?
For fabrics that give (stretch denim, knitwear), take the smaller one. For structured pieces (jackets, poplin shirts), choose the one that fits your shoulders and have the rest altered. And when in doubt, check the retailer’s returns policy before ordering two sizes.
Ready to look? Browse our guides by piece.