Size Help

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR SIZE

Please do not solely rely on the listed size for your correct fit. Designers often use different measurements for sizes depending on the overall look they desire, so sizes can not only vary brand to brand but also within the same brand.

Also, for vintage and pre-worn items the shape may have changed after years of being worn. The best way to help ensure your correct fit is to compare the measurements to a similar item that fits you well and to refer to the size info below. You can also gauge it against what size clothes you generally buy from other stores. We also try the clothes on where possible to try and advise the most appropriate size.

Many vintage garments have no size label, as a guide we determine the size of the garment using the following measurements below that match up with your actual body chest measurement:

CHEST:

 XS 33 - 35"
 S 36 - 38"
 M 39 - 41"
 L 42 - 44"
 XL 45 - 47"
2XL 48 - 50"
3XL 51 - 53"

 

e.g. if you measure your chest and it is 40” then this should make you size M

e.g. if you measure your chest and it is 44” or 44.5” then you are at the upper end of L, bordering on XL, so this should make you size L or L / XL depending on your other body measurements and how loose you like to wear your clothes.

Also, for jackets and coats, please be aware that the garment chest measurement will typically be larger compared to your actual body chest measurement, as there needs to be room for movement and a comfortable fit. We would recommend to have 3 to 4” room for movement for lighter weight jackets and around 5 to 6” for heavier sheepskin and padded jackets e.g. for a lighter jacket if your body chest measurement is 40” then an actual garment chest of approx 43 to 44” should be a good fit, and for heavier jackets approx 45 to 46” should fit well. Of course if you want a tighter or looser fit then you have to adjust accordingly.

WAIST:

For casual trousers, jeans and shorts most brands typically add a few inches to the actual waist measurement stated to allow room for movement and a comfortable fit e.g. if the size states 34” waist, the actual full waist measurement may be approximately 36”.

As a lot of vintage trousers have no size, we will also size up following this principle e.g. if the actual trouser waist measurement is 34”, we would recommend this as a good fit for a 32” waist measured on the body (UK Sizing), which allows room for a comfortable fit.

MEASURING DIAGRAMS

OUTERWEAR & TOPS NORMAL SLEEVE

 Outerwear and Tops size chart

A - CHEST - armpit to armpit (double for full chest)
B - SLEEVE* - shoulder seam to cuff end   
C - SHOULDER - distance between shoulder seams straight across at the back
D - LENGTH - at the centre back from the base of the collar to the hem

* Please note sleeves with a fixed external rib will be measured to the cuff rib end; for B3 flying jackets with a roll up cuff, it will be measured with the cuff rolled down to the cuff end.

 

OUTERWEAR & TOPS RAGLAN SLEEVE

 

Outerwear & Tops Raglan sleeve size chart

 

A - CHEST - armpit to armpit (double for full chest)
B - SLEEVE* - armpit to cuff end   
C - SHOULDER** - n/a
D - LENGTH - at the centre back from the base of the collar to the hem

* Please note sleeves with a fixed external rib will be measured to the cuff rib end; for B3 flying jackets with a roll up cuff, it will be measured with the cuff rolled down to the cuff end.

** Raglan shoulder jackets have no shoulder seam like a typical set in sleeve, so raglan shoulder jackets will have ‘n/a’ against this measurement.  

 

BOTTOMS & SHORTS

 

Trousers and shorts size chart

 

A - WAIST - straight across the waistband (double for full waist)
B - THIGH WIDTH - point where the legs meet at the crotch straight across
C - HEM - width of leg opening (double for full circumference)
D - RISE - point where the legs meet at the crotch to the waistband top edge
E - INSIDE LEG - point where the legs meet at the crotch to the hem
F - OUTSIDE LEG - top of the waistband to the hem

 

COVERALLS

 

Coveralls size chart

 

A - CHEST - armpit to armpit seam seam (double for full chest)
B - SLEEVE - shoulder seam to cuff end   
C - SHOULDER - distance between shoulder seams straight across at the back
D - WAIST - straight across the waistband (double for full waist)
E - THIGH WIDTH - point where the legs meet at the crotch straight across
F - HEM - width of leg opening (double for full circumference)
G - INSIDE LEG - point where the legs meet at the crotch to the hem

 

DUNGAREES

 

Dungarees size chart

 

A - WAIST - straight across the waistband (double for full waist)
B - THIGH WIDTH - point where the legs meet at the crotch straight across
C - HEM - width of leg opening (double for full circumference)
D - INSIDE LEG - point where the legs meet at the crotch to the hem

For further size advice please email: info@commonilke.co.uk and we'll be happy to help.