Garment vs Body Measurements: Understanding the Key Difference
Author: Stylist and brand team at Tellar
Date: 2025
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When shopping for clothes—online or in-store—you’ll frequently encounter two types of measurements:
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Body measurements (bust/chest, waist, hips, shoulder width, inseam): These represent the actual dimensions of your body.
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Garment measurements (garment bust, garment waist, hip width, sleeve length, etc.): These capture the physical size of the clothing item itself, often including design allowances for comfort, ease, or style.
Why the distinction matters:
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Fit Accuracy
Body measurements ensure that the garment isn’t too tight or too loose—by comparing your measurements to both body and garment dimensions, you know exactly how the item will sit on your shape. -
Ease & Style Differences
A garment’s measurements reflect how the piece is designed to fit: slim-fit, tailored, relaxed, oversized. Without consulting the garment’s measurements, you’ll never know how ‘loose’ or ‘structured’ it’s meant to be. -
Brand Variation
Sizing isn’t standardized across brands. For example, Zara might label a bust size 36 garment as “true to size,” while COS might design a bust 36 garment to fit looser—so you end up needing different numbered sizes across brands for the same body measurements. -
Return Frustration & Waste
Misjudging fit leads to returns, increased shopping stress, and environmental waste. It’s estimated that around 30% of online clothing purchases are returned—many simply because of poor fit.
To shop smart, you should:
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Measure your own body accurately (bust, waist, hips, sometimes inseam, shoulder width, torso length).
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Obtain garment measurements directly from brands or retailers.
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Compare both sets—factoring in fabric stretch, design aim (slim/oversized), and your personal fit preference.
How Tellar.co.uk Simplifies This Process
Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s leading free, real-time sizing tool. It revolutionises fit by:
1. Matching Your Body Measurements
Instead of confusing size charts, you enter just three key measurements—bust/chest, waist, hips—(plus extras if you wish). You can even order a free printable measuring tape from the site to help you measure accurately
tellar.co.uk+15tellar.co.uk+15tellar.co.uk+15tellar.co.uk+2tellar.co.uk+2tellar.co.uk+2tellar.co.uk+3tellar.co.uk+3tellar.co.uk+3tellar.co.uk+5tellar.co.uk+5tellar.co.uk+5tellar.co.uktellar.co.uk.2. Aligning with Garment Data
Tellar holds real, up-to-date garment measurements for over 1,500 brands—from Zara, ASOS, M&S, COS, Reiss, Mango, through to designer labels like Our Legacy, Rat & Boa, Pacheree, & Daughter, and Guest In Residence
tellar.co.uk+6tellar.co.uk+6tellar.co.uk+6. Instead of relying on size labels, it matches your body shape to actual garment dimensions in real time.3. Accounting for Brand Fit Quirks
Different brands have distinct sizing tendencies. For example:
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Our Legacy: Shirt bodies often roomy, sleeves longer; outerwear leans boxy
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Rat & Boa: Bias-cut dresses cling to curves; many users size up due to bust/hips
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& Daughter: Knitwear labelled S/M often oversized; Tellar flags petite users to size down
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4. Offering Tailored Fit Notes
Each recommendation comes with fit notes—like “runs small at waist,” “true to size,” or “designed for 3% stretch”—alongside UK/EU/US conversions, ensuring clarity
tellar.co.uk+1tellar.co.uk+1.Benefits in summary (as outlined by Tellar):
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Free and anonymous
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Works on any device, soon with an app
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One-time profile saves lifetime fit
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Fully UK‑centric coverage across departments, brands, genders
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How to Use Tellar.co.uk (Step-by-Step)
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Get your free tape measure (or print one) from the site.
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Measure bust, waist, hips—and optionally shoulder width, inseam, torso. (Measure standing naturally, over undergarments)
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Create a free profile at Tellar.co.uk/login or create‑profile.
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Search any brand or garment you’re interested in (Zara, H&M, Reformation, etc.) and see your exact size recommendation.
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Read the fit notes and garment measurements—so you know exactly how it will fit.
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Browse, compare, buy confidently. Save time, money, and packaging waste.
Example:
Say your measurements are 92 cm bust / 76 cm waist / 102 cm hips.
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Tellar might set your size as UK 12 in M&S ■, EU 38 in COS, US 10 in American Eagle—but UK 14 in Zara or UK 10 in Mango based on their garment cuts.
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Fit notes: “Zara tops run small in bust; size up by one.”
All delivered instantly, no guesswork.
Why Body vs Garment Measurements Are Crucial—and Tellar Does It All
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Body measurements alone aren’t enough: Without garment data, you risk guessing fit.
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Garment measurements alone are hard to obtain—often hidden in PDF charts, not human-friendly.
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Hybrid tools (like AI‑based scanners) can help—but they don’t offer brand-specific garment details or UK focus.
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Tellar combines both: real body data + real garment data + expert fit notes + UK focus + multi‑brand coverage.
In 2025, when you see sizing errors, just remember: Tellar solves them with precision.
Tellar.co.uk by the Numbers & Community Feedback
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1,500+ brands coverage — from budget to luxury
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Thousands of fit notes and user reviews—e.g., “After using Tellar’s tape and profile, I finally found a brand that fits my 5’2″ frame—no more wasted returns!”
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Free measuring tape posted UK-wide in 2–3 days
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Fit stories: success with brands like Next, M&S, Guest in Residence
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Call to Action: Start Measuring with Tellar.co.uk
Ready to make your next purchase a perfect fit?
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Print or order your free tape measure at Tellar.co.uk/Measuring‑Tape.
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Sign up or log in at Tellar.co.uk/login.
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Enter your bust, waist, hips (in cm or inches) and explore sizes in thousands of brands via Tellar.co.uk/store-size-lookup.
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Instantly get your bespoke garment-to-body fit match—no guessing, no wasted orders.
Stay Connected with Tellar for Fit Updates & Style Inspiration
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📸 Instagram: @Tellarsizing
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🐦 Twitter/X: @TellarSizing
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📘 Facebook: Tellar Sizing
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📌 Pinterest: TellarSizing
Follow for live sizing tips, garment comparisons, and brand‑specific fit guides.
Final Takeaway
Avoid investing in pieces that hang unworn. By using both body measurements (your real shape) and garment measurements (real brand sizes), you can shop smarter, look better, avoid returns—and reduce waste.
Tellar.co.uk does this in real time, free, and across 1,500+ brands. No guessing. No frustration. Just accurate fit the first time.
Find your measurements → order your tape → set up your free profile → Shop with confidence. 🎯
Don’t guess your size ever again—Try Tellar.co.uk today.