Size labels vary a lot from one brand to another, and knitwear is especially tricky because the same size can be cut close-fitting or deliberately oversized. The most reliable way to choose a size online is not your usual letter size. It is to measure a sweater you already love and compare it with the garment measurements of the piece you want.
What you need
- A soft measuring tape (a ruler or a long piece of string works too)
- A sweater that fits you the way you like
- A flat surface, like a table or the floor
Step 1: Lay the sweater flat
Place the sweater face up on a flat surface. Smooth it out without stretching the knit, and line up the side seams so the front and back sit evenly.
Step 2: Measure the bust
Measure straight across the chest, from one side seam to the other, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the armholes. Double that number to get the full circumference. For example, 19 inches across means a 38-inch bust.
Many size charts, including ours, list the bust as the full circumference of the garment, so always check whether a chart gives a flat or a full measurement before comparing.
Step 3: Measure the length
Measure from the highest point of the shoulder, where it meets the collar, straight down to the bottom of the hem. For a sweater dress, this tells you where the hem will fall on your body: compare it with the distance from your own shoulder to your knee or calf.
Step 4: Measure the sleeve
Measure from the shoulder seam to the end of the cuff along the top of the sleeve. If the sweater has dropped shoulders, the sleeve measurement will look shorter on paper, because part of the arm length is in the body of the sweater.
Step 5: Compare with the size chart
Open the product page of the sweater you want and find its garment measurements. On every Nora Halden product, they are listed in inches and centimeters for each size in the Size & fit tab. Pick the size whose measurements are closest to the sweater you measured.
- Between two sizes on a fitted style? Size up for an easier fit.
- Oversized style? Take your usual size for a relaxed look, or size down for a closer fit.
- Allow for a small difference of about 1 inch (1 to 3 cm), since knitwear is measured by hand.
Garment measurements vs. body measurements
These are two different things, and mixing them up is the most common sizing mistake:
- Body measurements are your own bust, waist and hip. They tell you which size label usually corresponds to your body.
- Garment measurements are the measurements of the piece itself. The difference between the two is called ease: a fitted sweater has little ease, an oversized one has a lot.
Our size guide lists body measurements for each size, and each product page lists the garment measurements, so you can use both.
A note on sizing that runs small
Some of our pieces are cut smaller than typical US sizing. When that is the case, it is written in the fit notes on the product page. That is one more reason to compare garment measurements rather than relying on the letter size alone.
Still unsure?
Send us your measurements and the piece you are looking at through our contact page, and we will recommend a size. If it is not the right fit after all, you can return or exchange unworn pieces within 30 days.
FAQ
How do you measure a sweater's chest size?
Lay it flat, measure from side seam to side seam just below the armholes, and double the number for the full circumference.
Should a sweater be bigger than my bust measurement?
Yes. A sweater's bust measurement is usually larger than your body bust to allow movement. A few inches more gives a regular fit; much more gives an oversized fit.
Is it better to size up or down in sweaters?
For fitted styles, size up if you are between sizes. For oversized styles, size down if you want a closer fit.