The single most common reason a garment goes back is fit. It is also the most avoidable, because a tape measure and four minutes beats guessing from a letter on a label.
First, the honest disclaimer
The measurements on our size guide and on each product page are the ones the manufacturer publishes. We list them as supplied. We have not re-measured the garments ourselves, and we do not fit them on a model in-house. That is stated on the size guide page too, and it is why we will not tell you a style “runs small” unless the maker says so.
This matters because apparel sizing in the US is not standardised. A size M from one factory and a size M from another can differ by two inches in the bust. The letter is a suggestion; the centimetres are the fact.
How to measure yourself
Wear the underwear you would wear with the garment, stand normally, and keep the tape snug but not pulling. Have someone help with the back measurements if you can.
- Bust. Around the fullest part, tape level all the way round and flat across the back.
- Waist. The narrowest point of your torso — usually an inch above the navel. Do not hold your breath in.
- Hips. The fullest part of the seat, usually 7–9 inches below the waist.
- Inseam. From the crotch seam to where you want the hem, measured on trousers that already fit you.
- Shoulder. Seam to seam across the back. This one decides whether a structured jacket or a button-through shirt will ever look right, and it is the hardest to alter.
Write them down. They change slowly, and having them saved makes every future order faster.
Which measurement decides the size
Not all of them equally. Use this order:
| Garment | Size to this first | Then check |
|---|---|---|
| Shirts, blouses, dresses | Bust | Shoulder, then waist |
| Trousers, skirts | Hips | Waist, then inseam |
| Cardigans, oversized knits | Shoulder | Bust — but expect ease built in |
| Belts | Where you will wear it | Not your trouser size |
When you fall between sizes, size up on structured garments and down on knitwear. A knit will relax; a woven shirt will not.
Belts are their own problem
A belt sized to your trouser waist will usually be too short, because a belt is measured from the buckle to the middle hole and it has to go around whatever you are wearing. Measure a belt you already like, buckle prong to the hole you actually use, and buy that length.
Shoes
Measure late in the day, standing, with the sock you will wear. Trace both feet — most people have one longer foot — and buy for the larger. Half sizes exist for a reason and we list them where the maker offers them.
When in doubt, ask before you buy
Because our returns travel back to Hong Kong at the buyer’s expense, a wrong size is an expensive mistake here in a way it is not at a shop with a prepaid label. So use us: email care@erafav.com with the product link and your measurements. We will tell you what the manufacturer’s chart says for that specific style and where we are uncertain. An email costs nothing and takes one business day.