How to Measure Yourself
Our Junior department carries a mix of numeric sizes (00, 0, 2, 4… up to 16), letter sizes (XS through XL), and denim brands labeled by waist measurement in inches (24, 25, 26, 27…). Because the same brand can use two or three of these systems across different items, the measurements below will land you a better fit than the size label alone. Measure over lightweight clothing with the tape level and snug but not pulled tight.
Bust: Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your bust, keeping it level under the arms. Wear the bra you'd normally wear under the garment. This is the primary measurement for tops, dresses, blazers, and jumpsuits.
Waist: Find your natural waistline — the narrowest part of your torso, usually an inch or two above the belly button — and measure there. Used for dresses, skirts, and anything with a defined waist.
Hip: Stand with feet together and measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat. Used for pants, skirts, and jumpsuits, and often the size-determining measurement for fitted bottoms.
Inseam: Measure from the crotch seam of a well-fitting pair of pants down to the bottom of the leg. If you're measuring your body, measure from the crotch down to the top of your foot while standing straight. Check this against the pant's stated inseam for length.
Denim Waist (inches): If a denim piece is labeled 24, 25, 26, etc., that's the waistband measurement in inches — compare to your natural waist. If you prefer a low-rise fit, you may measure 1–2 inches higher than your hip bones for a more accurate denim size.
Height: Stand barefoot against a wall and measure from the top of your head to the floor. Important for dresses, rompers, and jumpsuits where length can make or break the look.
Pro tip: When measurements straddle two sizes, size up for anything with structure (blazers, fitted dresses, denim) and size down for anything relaxed (tees, oversized knits, flowy dresses).
Pro tip: Denim fit varies more by brand than by size label. Check Brand Notes for the specific denim brand — Tractr and DL1961 run true to measurement, Blank NYC runs slim, and vintage-inspired cuts often add 1–2 inches of ease at the hip.
Pro tip: Some brands run oversized on purpose (Free City, Perfect White Tee, Free People) and some run small (Limeapple, Chic 2 Chic). Check Brand Notes on the product page before ordering.
