Letter sizes against centimetres

Short answer: The letter is a shortcut, the centimetre is the answer. The letter makes shopping quick when you know the brand, and the centimetre makes it safe when you do not. The two work well together.

The letter is quick

If you know the brand, the letter saves you from measuring anything at all. You know a medium fits, so you simply choose a medium again. It is quick and easy, and for many people it is the usual way to buy clothes. For everyday pieces like bamboo sweat clothes, which you often buy more than once, the letter is a handy shortcut.

The centimetre is safe

If you measure, you know what you are getting, whatever the brand. A centimetre means the same everywhere, while a letter only makes sense within one brand. Measuring takes a few minutes, but you no longer have to guess. That is especially useful when you shop online and cannot try things on first.

Use the letter when buying again

If you are buying the same thing again, the letter is enough. If a medium fitted, the next one will too, as long as the model and cut are the same. Measuring again adds little here. You could browse the most popular styles from Copenhagen Bamboo and pick your usual size.

Use centimetres the first time

The first time you buy from a brand, the letter tells you nothing certain. A medium at one brand can match a small or a large at another. Measure yourself, or a garment you like, and compare with the brand's table. That way you get it right the first time far more often.

Why letter sizes exist

Letter sizes exist because they make shopping quick. They work well within one brand, just not across several. They bundle a range of measurements under a single letter, so you do not have to think about centimetres every time. That is practical, but it also means different numbers hide behind the same letter.

When the cut is new

Even at a brand you know, a new cut can fit differently. A relaxed model and a close fitting model in the same letter do not sit the same way. If you try a new type of garment, look at the table, even if you know the brand. It only takes a moment and can save you an exchange.

Use them together

The most practical approach is to use both. Check the centimetres the first time, find the size that fits and then use the letter for later purchases. When you switch to a new model, go back to the centimetres. This applies across all women's clothing.

Keep your measurements handy

Write down your key measurements, such as chest, waist, hips and inside leg, and keep them somewhere easy to find. Also note which size you bought at which brand and how it fitted. Then you have both letters and centimetres ready the next time you shop.

Frequently asked questions

When can you rely on the letter

When buying again from a brand you know. If a medium fitted, the next one will too, as long as it is the same model with the same cut.

When should you use centimetres

The first time you buy from a brand. There the letter tells you nothing, and only the measurements can be compared with what you bought elsewhere.

Why do letter sizes exist at all

Because they make shopping quick. They work well within one brand, just not across several, where the same letter can cover different measurements.