Why letter sizes mislead
A "L" on a Chinese size chart is often closer to a European "M". Some sellers follow international sizing, many do not, and the same seller can mix both across different products. Streetwear cuts add another layer: a boxy hoodie labelled "M" may be wider than a slim-fit "L". That is why experienced buyers ignore letters and compare centimetres.
How to measure a garment you own
- Choose an item that fits you the way you like.
- Lay it flat on a table, smooth out wrinkles.
- Chest width: measure straight across from armpit to armpit.
- Length: from the highest point of the shoulder to the hem.
- Sleeve: from the shoulder seam to the cuff.
- Shoulder: seam to seam across the back, useful for jackets and shirts.
- For trousers: waist straight across (then double it), inseam and leg opening.
Compare these numbers to the chart on the product page. Pick the size whose chest width is closest to yours, then check the length. If chest and length point to different sizes, decide which matters more for the fit you want.
Category-by-category tips
Hoodies and sweatshirts
Many streetwear hoodies are cut boxy. If the chart chest width is already 2–4 cm bigger than your favourite hoodie, take your measured size; if you want an oversized look, go one up. Check sleeve length too — dropped shoulders make sleeves look longer.
Jackets and puffers
You will wear layers underneath. Add 3–5 cm to your chest measurement before choosing. Padded jackets also lose a little internal space to the filling.
T-shirts
Check length as well as chest. Some tees are cropped, others very long. Heavy cotton tees may shrink slightly after the first hot wash.
Knitwear
Knits stretch, so a close match on chest width is usually fine. Ribbed cuffs and hems should feel snug rather than loose.
Jeans and trousers
Use waist measurement in centimetres. Stretch denim is forgiving; rigid denim is not. Inseam matters if you are tall or short — many listings assume an average leg length.
Sneakers
Measure your foot from heel to longest toe in centimetres and match the chart's foot-length column. If you are between sizes or have wide feet, go half a size up. Basketball-style shoes often feel narrower than runners.
Reading a Chinese size chart
| Chart term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 胸围 (chest) | Usually full chest circumference; halve it to compare with a flat measurement |
| 衣长 (length) | Body length |
| 袖长 (sleeve) | Sleeve length |
| 肩宽 (shoulder) | Shoulder width |
| 腰围 (waist) | Waist circumference |
| 裤长 (trouser length) | Full trouser length |
| 脚长 (foot length) | Foot length in mm or cm |
The most common mistake is comparing a full chest circumference with a flat, armpit-to-armpit measurement. Always check whether the chart number is "around" or "across". If the chest figure looks about twice what you measured, it is a circumference.
Shoe sizes: a rough conversion
Shoe charts on Chinese listings usually show EU sizes, sometimes with foot length in millimetres. Use foot length as the deciding number; the table below is only a rough guide for orientation.
| Foot length | EU | US men | UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~24.5 cm | 39 | 6.5 | 6 |
| ~25.5 cm | 40.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 |
| ~26.5 cm | 42 | 8.5 | 7.5 |
| ~27.5 cm | 43 | 9.5 | 8.5 |
| ~28.5 cm | 44.5 | 10.5 | 9.5 |
Different brands and factories size slightly differently, so always prefer the foot-length column on the product page over this table.
When the chart is missing
Ask the agent to request measurements from the seller, or leave a note on the order asking the warehouse to measure the item when it arrives. Spreadsheet notes such as "runs small, size up" are also useful here. If none of these are available, choose a listing with a chart instead — there is almost always an alternative.
Women's and unisex sizing
Many spreadsheet items are listed as unisex, which usually means a men's cut. If you normally wear women's sizes, compare chest width and length in centimetres rather than converting letter sizes; a unisex "S" can be noticeably wider than a women's "S". For shoes, unisex charts sometimes list only men's sizes, so use foot length again. Women's-specific listings tend to have narrower shoulders and shorter sleeves, which is worth checking if you want an oversized look.
Keep a personal size card
Write your key measurements on a note on your phone: chest width, length, sleeve, waist, inseam and foot length. Add the sizes that worked for you on past orders, for example "boxy hoodies: L, slim tees: XL". After two or three hauls, this card will make sizing almost automatic. For the full ordering flow, see how to use an Oopbuy spreadsheet.