Guide
Lolita size guide
Chinese brands size by measurement, not by letter. Five numbers and a tape measure are all you need.
Measure these five things
Use a soft tape in centimetres, over the underwear you will wear with the dress.
| Measurement | How to take it |
|---|---|
| Bust | Around the fullest part of the chest, tape level |
| Waist | Around the narrowest part of the torso, usually just above the navel |
| Shoulder width | Straight across the back, from one shoulder point to the other |
| Upper arm | Around the widest part of the upper arm (for OPs and blouses) |
| Height | Without shoes; used to judge skirt length |
How to read a Chinese size chart
Charts list the garment's measurements in centimetres, not your body's.
- Fixed measurements (no shirring): the garment must be a few centimetres larger than your body at the bust (about 2–4 cm for a fitted bodice).
- Shirring range (e.g. waist 64–88 cm): the shirred back stretches between the two numbers. You are comfortable when your measurement is in the middle of the range; at the maximum the shirring is fully stretched.
- Length: measured from shoulder or waist to hem. Compare it with your height: a 100 cm OP length on someone 160 cm tall usually ends around the knee.
Size letters
S, M, L and XL in Chinese charts often run one or two sizes smaller than US or UK letters. Never order by letter alone.
Example
A dress lists bust 84–104 cm (shirred), waist 66–88 cm (shirred), length 98 cm. With a bust of 92 cm, a waist of 74 cm and a height of 162 cm, the dress fits comfortably and ends around the knee.
Let us check
Send your five measurements with every order request. We compare them with the brand's chart and tell you if a size is tight, if a different size or brand would fit better, or if a custom size is possible. For extended sizes, see plus size lolita dresses.