What is "ease"?

When sewing a garment, we use the term ease to describe the extra room needed to move, breathe, and look great. Garments worn with positive ease, like a button-up shirt, are a bit bigger than our body measurements so we can lift our arms. Garments with zero or negative ease, like a corset, are designed with stretch or adjustability that expands to fit.

Below is a guide on how to measure yourself, and how to apply those numbers to our size charts using ease. Even if you're familiar with our size range and how a certain size wears, we recommend consulting the size chart of each garment to ensure a perfect fit. All Hushfall items are genderless, so sizing is made average and consistent across all silhouettes.

If you're still unsure after consulting this guide, please feel free to email us with questions and the Archives will consult the Oracle (our measuring tapes)!

Measuring the Body

Flat VS. Body measurements

Our size charts reflect a flat garment measurement OR a circumference, and vary chart to chart. Size charts are not identical to body measurements, but understanding your body measurements and adding a little ease will help you find a perfect fit. This is a guide for measuring yourself for reference!

Shoulder

Measure your shoulders from edge to edge - the size chart reflects where the shoulder seam sits. Things like vests are typically narrower than your actual shoulders, but shirts should be bang on (or larger).

Chest

Measure around your chest at the widest point (usually on top of your nipples). Always add a couple of inches for ease (so you can breathe), and then cut this measurement in half to find a "flat" measurement.

Arm length

Remember your shoulder point? Measure from there at the shoulder to your wrist. Size charts reflect the total length of the sleeve, so don't pick a size that's too short.

Waist

Measure around your natural waist, right where your body creases when you bend to the side. Most of our size charts reflect a total circumference for waistbands, and should be worn with some negative ease (see below).

Hip

Measure at the fullest part of your hip, right around the junk in your trunk. As this part of the body moves the most, select a size that gives you room with positive ease (see below).

Feet and accessories

Our socks, scarves, and other accessories are typically just one measurement. Our socks in particular fit feet from 6" to 14".

What's my type?

We categorize our garment styles by three fit types: tailored, classic, and oversized. These describe how the garment is designed to be worn, but the world is your oyster: select the size you know you'll feel most comfortable in based on your measurements, even if you don't think it's your "usual" size. We all grow and change, and so should the sizes in your wardrobe!

  • Tailored (slim fit)

    Tailored describes our slimmest garments, designed to be worn with 0 to 4" (0-10 cm) of ease. Corsets and waistbands are usually smaller than body measurements.

  • Classic (regular fit)

    Classic garments are designed to be worn with 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) of ease; just enough room to breathe, but not so much you're swimming.

  • Oversized [sic]

    Oversized describes garments designed to be worn with 6 or more inches of ease, for a breezy, devil-may-care fit. That's 15 cm, for our international folks.

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Sizing tips, garment by garment

  • Tees, sweaters, crewnecks

    The most important measurement for everyone's favorite: around the chest. Split your body measurement in half, and add a few inches for a perfect fit.

    see example size chart 

  • Poet Shirts

    These historically-inspired shirts are best worn a little oversized, paying attention to chest and shoulder measurements. If worried about button gaps, size up.

    see example size chart 

  • Camp shirts and button-ups

    Our favorite types of shirts to make! Pay close attention to chest and shoulder measurements, and always add a couple of inches to ensure best fit.

    see example size chart 
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  • Corsets

    These are our most negative-ease garments, designed to be worn a few inches smaller than your chest measurement to allow a 1-3" gap in the back (or more). If between sizes, size down.

    see example size chart 

  • Open-front vests

    Our fan-favorite vests are measured flat, with the perfect gap in the front included for lacing. These are very flexible, and almost no size feels too "wrong". If you're unsure, go vintage: size up.

    see example size chart 

  • Skirts

    Our size charts show the circumference of the waistband with unstretched elastic. Subtract an inch or two from your body measurement to prevent slipping!

    see example size chart 
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  • Tailored vests

    Best worn with only a few inches of ease, these items are measured flat along the lines above. If shoulders seem short, it's likely the width between your neck and top of your shoulder.

    see example size chart 

  • Button-up shirts

    A small note for a big category: pay close attention to chest and shoulder measurements, and make sure you check if the shirt is tailored or oversized!

    see example size chart 

  • Poet shirts

    These historically-inspired shirts are best worn a little oversized, paying attention to chest and shoulder measurements. If worried about button gaps, size up.

    see example size chart 
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  • Camp shirts

    Our most oversized garment, our camp shirts should keep you cool and feel breezy, with 6 or more inches of positive ease. Too big is a myth!

    see example size chart 

  • Jackets

    Everyone loves a jacket, but the best fit is always a little bigger than you think. Use your chest measurement first, shoulders second, and size up if you're in between sizes.

    see example size chart 

  • Coats

    Outerwear is usually best worn with enough ease to layer clothes underneath, so add a few inches of positive ease, and size up if you're between sizes.

    see example size chart 
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Let's talk laundry

To keep your items from the Archives looking their best over time, we always recommend carefully reading the care tag attached to your garment. There might be some scary symbols, but in general, most of our garments are machine washable in cold water with a mild detergent, and we recommend avoiding a dryer all together.

We really like Jeeves NY as a general laundry guide from a professional dry cleaner. If in doubt, hand wash, or take it to the pros.

If you have any questions, please email us through the Contact form for more information!

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