How to Measure for a Cardigan
A favorite cardigan and a soft tape measure can tell you more than a letter size. Use a garment with the kind of fit you want, and compare it with the chart on the particular style you are considering.
Prepare the garment
Lay it flat on a smooth surface. Fasten buttons or the zipper if that is how the cardigan is meant to be measured. Smooth it gently without pulling the knit. A stretched measurement will not represent the resting fit. For an open front, keep the panels naturally aligned rather than pulling them together.
Measure length
Start at the high point of the shoulder beside the neckline and measure straight down to the hem. If a product chart uses a different starting point, follow that chart. Uneven or curved hems can have different front and back lengths; compare the location the chart identifies.
Measure the chest
Measure straight across the garment under the armholes. That is the flat chest width. If a chart gives a full garment bust circumference, double the flat width before comparing. Do not compare a flat width directly with a full circumference or a body bust measurement. Product charts explain the available measurement type; ask us if the method is unclear.
Check shoulders and sleeves
Where available, compare shoulder width between the shoulder seams. For a set-in sleeve, measure from the shoulder seam to the cuff. Drop shoulders and raglan sleeves can use different starting points, so do not assume sleeve lengths from different constructions are directly comparable. Use the style’s chart notes and photos together.
Allow room for your layers
Repeat the comparison with a cardigan you comfortably wear over the intended base layer. A buttoned cardigan over a shirt needs enough room to close without pulling. A relaxed open front has a different fit goal. We do not recommend a fixed amount of extra room for every style, and we do not assume every knit will stretch the same way.
Read the numbers carefully
Our charts pair centimeters with inches; 1 inch equals 2.54 cm. Values are rounded for readability. These are garment dimensions, not a universal body-size recommendation. Manual measurements can vary by approximately 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 inches). Choose based on the specific chart, even if the letter differs from what you usually buy.
Before adding to your bag
- Confirm color and size together.
- Compare the hem and chest measurements you care about.
- Check the listed fiber information and follow the delivered care label.
- If you are between options, contact us with the style name and the fit you want.