How to Choose the Right Size Online

December 9, 2025

🧵 How to Choose the Right Size Online

The practical, no-BS guide for humans buying sustainable clothing online.

Size Charts For all products at the bottom of the page

Buying clothes online shouldn’t feel like a puzzle, but fast fashion has trained everyone to expect inconsistent sizing, “vanity” measurements, and fit guides that don’t reflect real bodies. Slow fashion brands do it differently, and because our pieces are printed to order, getting the right size the first time matters.

Here’s your practical guide to understanding sizing when shopping sustainable fashion, eco activewear, yoga leggings, and organic hoodies online.

Usually it is the same use you always wear, so this can feel a bit long-winded if you know your body crack on and get ordering, if you´re not sure, let us help...

Also, we have real humans on customer support, so just ask us, and we´ll help!

We´re here for you!

Why slow-fashion sizing can feel different than fast-fashion sizing

Fast fashion often uses:

"Vanity sizing" Sizing up the labelling down so you like it there because you´re always a smaller size. Primani are champions at this, and psychologically it works, we all love to feel body confident!
Mass-produced templates
Fabrics that stretch out quickly

Slow fashion and custom-made use:

More accurate measurement charts
Smaller supply chains
Recycled + organic fabrics (which stretch differently)
Real fit specifications, not “wishful” ones

This means:

Your honest measurements matter more than your usual high-street size.

How to measure yourself accurately (30-second method)

You don’t need a tailor’s tape — a phone charger cable or a piece of string works.

Wrap it around the area (bust, waist, hips, etc.)
Hold where it meets
Lay it flat against a ruler or tape measure

This gives you your real measurement, not a guess based on brands you’ve worn before.

Here´s an example of Men´s T Size Guide

Below is a clear, friendly, body-respectful, and neurodivergent-inclusive sizing guide expansion that answers exactly what you’re asking:

💗 Where Exactly to Measure

Most sizing guides assume everyone magically knows where their “natural waist” or “hip apex” is.

Real humans don’t talk like that. So here’s the clear, body-friendly breakdown:

Bust / Chest Measurement

For women, this is called bust.

For men, non-binary, and all bodies — “chest” works just fine.

Where to place the string or tape:

Around the fullest part of your chest (this is usually across the nipples).
Keep the tape level all the way around — not dipping low in the back.
It should be snug but not tight — you should still be able to slide a finger underneath.

Helpful tip:

Wear the bra or binder you would normally wear with the item you’re buying. It changes the measurement.

Women waist and hip sizing chart black and white

Waist Measurement

This is the one most people get confused about.

Your true waist is NOT where low-rise jeans sit.

Where it actually is:

Wrap the tape/string around the narrowest part of your torso.
Usually this is about belly-button height, or slightly above.
If you bend to the side, the crease that forms is your natural waist.

It’s totally okay if your waist isn’t “narrow.”

Everyone’s shape is different — this is just the standard measuring point.

Hip Measurement

This is the measurement slow-fashion brands NEED to get right, especially for leggings.

Where to place the tape:

Around the fullest part of your hips + bum.
This is lower than most people assume — usually around where your derriere curves out the most.
Keep the tape level and relaxed.

Why this matters:

This measurement determines whether leggings slide on comfortably or feel restrictive.

Inseam Measurement

This is for leggings, flares, yoga pants, and joggers.

Where to measure:

From the very top of your inner thigh (where your legs meet your body)
Down the inside of your leg
To the ankle or whatever length you prefer (cropped, full length, etc.)

Easiest method:

Take your favourite leggings, lay them flat, and measure the inseam along the stitch.

This avoids awkward one-legged balancing acts.

Underbust Measurement

(For bras, sports bras, crop tops)

This one gets asked a lot.

Where to measure:

Directly under your breasts/pecs, where a band would sit.
Keep the tape level and snug.
This helps determine support level and tightness.

💡 Comfy Tip

If your nervous system hates feeling pressured or rushed:

Measure once
Take a break
Measure again later

Your size hasn’t changed, your comfort and accuracy just improved.

What “Length” and “Width” Mean on a Tee´s

1. WIDTH = The measurement across the chest of the T-shirt

This is measured flat, from one side of the shirt to the other, straight across the bust line.

It does not mean your body measurement, it’s the shirt laid flat on a table.

To use it correctly:

Take a shirt you already own that fits how you like
Lay it flat
Measure straight across the chest at the armpit level
Compare that number to the width in the chart

Example:

Width M = 20 ⅝ inches (52.5 cm)

If your favourite tee measures around 20–21 inches flat, a Medium will feel similar.

2. LENGTH = How long the shirt is from the shoulder to hem

For cropped tees, this is especially important because the length determines:

How cropped it will look
Whether it hits under the bust, at the waist, or lower

Length is measured from:

Top of the shoulder

↓

Straight down to the bottom hem

Example:

Length M = 18 ¼ inches (46.5 cm)

That tells you exactly how far down it will fall on your torso.

🧵 How Tight Should the Tape Be?

We recommend:

“Comfortably snug” for leggings, bras, sportswear
“Relaxed but accurate” for hoodies, tees, sweatshirts

If you can breathe, move, and fit one or two fingers under the tape, you’re doing it right.

No need to pull it tight — that’s how people accidentally size down when they meant to size up.

🌈 If Your Body Changes Size

Totally normal.

Many neurodivergent humans experience bloating, sensory swelling, hormone fluctuations, and cycle-related softness.

If your body feels different day to day:

Choose the measurement that feels most “you”
Or size up for comfort (always a safe bet)

Comfort > numbers. Always.

📩 Still unsure? Send us your measurements

Real humans at Viva Medusa will size-match you.

Just send us your:

Bust / Chest
Underbust (if buying a bra)
Waist
Hips
Height (optional but useful)

And one of our team will compare your numbers to:

Garment measurements
Stretch allowance
Fit notes
Customer feedback

We’ll recommend the size that makes the most sense for your body and your preferences (compression vs comfort).

What to do if you’re between sizes

This is especially important for:

Eco activewear
Recycled leggings
Flare leggings
Sports bras
Organic hoodies + sweats

If you’re between sizes:

For leggings + yoga pants

Prefer compression? → Size down
Prefer comfort & lounge fit? → Size up
Recycled fabrics: if you don’t like snug seams, size up

For hoodies/sweatshirts

Want oversized? → Size up 2 sizes
Want true-to-fit? → Stick to your measurement-based size

For tees + tanks

Between sizes → Size up for relaxed fit

How recycled fabrics affect fit

Because Viva Medusa uses recycled polyester + organic blends, it can behave differently from heavy synthetic fast-fashion fabrics. Our Hoodies and Tee´s are actually so much softer and itch-free!! We´re neurospicy allies!

Some stretchy recycled activewear can:

Feel lighter
Have slightly less opacity
Snag more easily if you size too small

Be mindful of this when comparing to brands that use virgin plastics.

How to read our size charts

Searchers often look for:

“How do eco-flared leggings fit?”

“Are recycled leggings true to size?”

“Organic hoodie size guide?”

So here’s the breakdown:

Our size charts show:

Flat garment measurements
Recommended body measurements
Stretch direction (where relevant)
Fit notes (slim, relaxed, oversized)

If the chart says:

Hip 98–102 cm (38–40 in) → that’s the body measurement, not the garment.

Understanding Measurements: Metric vs. Imperial

YOU DON´T HAVE TO DO THE MATHS!! WE PUT BOTH ON OUR WEBSITE. PICK THE ONE THAT MAKES SENSE. IGNORE THE OTHERS... BUT HERE IT IS JUST IN CASE YOU´RE INTO IT!

📏 Metric (centimeters)

Most international slow-fashion and eco-activewear brands use centimeters (cm).

They’re more precise when measuring stretch fabrics like leggings and sports bras.

📐 Imperial (inches)

If you’re in the UK or USA, you might be used to inches (in).

Conversion formula:

1 inch = 2.54 cm

1 cm = 0.39 inches

Quick guide:

70 cm waist ≈ 27.5 inches
92 cm hips ≈ 36.2 inches
100 cm chest ≈ 39.3 inches

Use whichever system makes sense to you, our size charts support both.

Still unsure? Here’s exactly what to do

If you’re still not fully confident:

- Bust
- Waist
- Hips
- Inseam
  
  Measure your:
Check chart for both metric & imperial
Compare to your favourite item at home
DM or email Viva Medusa with your numbers — we will size-match you
Choose consciously — each piece is made to order to reduce waste

Because print-on-demand creates your item especially for you, getting the right fit means fewer landfills and more sustainable shopping.

🖤 FINAL CHECK: If you can answer these, you’re ready to order

Does the size chart match your measurements, not your usual shop size?
Do you know if you prefer snug or relaxed fits?
Have you checked the fabric type (recycled = snugger)?
Are you between sizes (if so, size up for comfort)?
Do you feel confident you’ll actually wear the item?

If yes, go fill your cart.

Your clothes are made for you, not the other way around.

And once again, just in case you missed it... We have real humans on customer support, so just ask us, and we´ll help! We´re here for you!

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