While we do our best to sew each garment precisely to its specification every time, hand sewing and cutting fabrics, working with different fabric types, and applying different washes or finishes to garments will naturally result in small variations in just how precisely the finished garment matches the ordered dimensions.

There’s a second source of variation worth considering: measuring tolerance. This is the natural variance that comes from different people measuring garments by hand. Technique, tools, amount of force applied, and exactly where on the garment one measures can all produce slightly different results, even on the same piece. Measuring tolerance is a separate variable from sewing tolerance, and the two together can add to the perceived variance of a garment.

The measurement tolerances in the table below represent the acceptable range of precision relative to your ordered shirt dimensions. Out of the box, your unwashed shirt should measure within these tolerances relative to the Pre-Wash dimensions. 

After laundering the shirt according to the care instructions on the tag, it should measure within these same tolerances of your Ordered dimensions.

Once you launder a garment, continued wear and cleaning can affect how closely it continues to match these tolerances. While we automatically adjust the dimensions used to produce a shirt such that it will match your Ordered dimensions after it is laundered 1-2 times, over a long enough time of washing and wearing shirts, measurements may gradually shift.

Using different laundering methods will have different effects — high-heat drying tends to shrink fabric, while a commercial ‘wash and press’ may stretch it out — and depending on the method, measurements may fall outside the tolerances. Even if your preferred cleaning method is not the recommended method on the tag of your shirt, we can generally support you with finding the right size, but the tolerances below will no longer apply. The key to honing in on the right size is staying consistent with whichever care method you choose, allowing us to adjust your saved size relative to the experienced resulting fit. Understanding how your garment was cared for, though, is necessary for us to give you the most accurate guidance.

Casual pants typically undergo a washing process during production, so they arrive at your door already measuring within tolerance of your Ordered dimensions. Following the care instructions on the tag will help ensure they stay within tolerance going forward, while straying from the recommended care method is more likely to push measurements outside of range. 

Pants tend to stretch more than shirts or tops in general, since more force is applied to them during everyday wear and movement. This is most noticeable in three key areas: hip width, back rise, and waist width. Even with consistent, correct care, these areas are expected to get larger over time compared to other areas of the garment.

For tailored clothing, the measurement tolerances below assume dry cleaning only. Any laundering involving water will invalidate them and will likely damage the garment itself. Stretching and relaxing of certain dimensions can also be a factor over time and wear, with fabric also playing a part. For example, a slim sized linen trouser can experience mild stretching in the hip width, back rise, and waist width after wear. 

Shirts

Measurement tolerance for shirts:

Note: The tolerance measurement of the Chest Width, Midsection Width, Bottom Width, and Sleeve Width is doubled to calculate the tolerance for the full circumference around the shirt at those points. For example, the tolerance for Chest Circumference is + or -0.8”, which is double the Chest Width tolerance of + or -0.5”.

Jackets

Measurement tolerance for jackets:

Note: The tolerance measurement of the Chest Width, Midsection Width, Hip Width, Sleeve Bicep Width, and Sleeve Opening Width is doubled to calculate the tolerance for the full circumference around the jacket at those points. For example, the tolerance for Chest Circumference is + or -0.8”, which is double the Chest Width tolerance of + or -0.4”.

Pants

Measurement tolerance for trousers:

Note: The tolerance measurement of the Waist Width, Hip Width, Knee Width, and Leg Opening Width is doubled to calculate the tolerance for the full circumference around the pants at those points. For example, the tolerance for Waist Circumference is + or -0.6”, which is double the Waist Width tolerance of + or -0.3”.