Sizing - How to (User Perspective)
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Sizing is one of the most common questions on the forum and many new users have great difficulty in understanding what to do. There are always new users who say that I'm a large in Filson or insert your favourite brand, so should I buy large in Ironheart. @Giles goes into the reasons it will not work which is a very good read: Global Sizing Standards
So how do I use the Size Charts that IHUK provides for each new release:
Example
Here is what I do for every purchase from Iron Heart.
Step by step guide on how to choose a size
Step 1: Watch the video on how IHUK measures items.
The first thing I do is watch the instructional video on how IHUK measures items.
T-Shirts and Sweatshirts
Vests
Jackets
Shirts
Jeans and PantsStep 2: Record the measurements of a shirt that you own that fits you well. This reference will give you something to compare to the sizing charts provided by IHUK.
Step3: Comparing those measurements with the item you are interested in. I make a grid of my measurements and compare with the item I want. Making notes of +, =, - or things that work or don’t work.
In the above example, my key make or break areas are chest and shoulders. The other areas are important but I am more flexible.
The shoulders in the example being closest to my ideal so I would pick XL
The chest is split roughly between Large and XL.
The waist is closest to large for this example, but not as important to me and I could choose either XL or the Large.Step 4: Roughly choosing what tag size works based upon that comparison.
Based upon my grid I could easily go with the XL in this instance as there are more checks there than in the large.
However, I could also go with a large for a slim fit. That leads to the next question and step.
Step 5: Reading the product description to see if the material shrinks.
IHUK will post details about the item in the Fabric Focus:
Step 6: In this example, the fabric does not shrink and I would chose the XL as most measurements work better in that tag size.
Getting stuck and when to contact IHUK
What if I need a wider shoulder, longer sleeve, etc? When all of my ideal measurements work except for one, I will drop a note in my order and ask them if they can find a (perfect tag size), with a measurement close as possible to my ideal...for example, I need a large with a shoulder of 19 and the posted measurements are 18.6...
There are times when I still need additional help and consult the staff measurements page. Before launch, the staff often will indicate what size they would wear. I compare my measurements to those staff members when I need extra help.
The key thing to remember is that I need to do the initial step, watch the video, and record my ideal measurements. Once I have those measurements in hand to work with, then I can compare and ask questions to the IHUK staff using the live chat feature or by emailing them: shop@ironheart.co.uk.
They are experts at what they do and when I do my part, they can do what they do best.
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Just ordered a set of 666S SBG blind and nailed the sizing thanks to tips like these. Measured my 634S UHR the IH way and used those to guide my tag size in the 666. Looked at the waist, but also the thigh in particular since the 666 is a slimmer fit.
IH’s consistency in how a product is measured serves as a solid foundation for how to determine if a product is the right fit regardless of tag size. I’ve never encountered a company who is as helpful when it comes to sizing.
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@goosehd awesome write up and super useful.
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very helpful! thanks!
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Love this! I'd like to add that the product comparison tool is super helpful when trying to pick between two products, or comparing a new product to one I currently own and don't have my own garment measurements handy.
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@goosehd that’s a brilliant write up, and took a lot of time and effort on your part. Thanks for doing so
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This a great post, thank you for making it!
Before I found out about Iron Heart clothing I never really gave much thought to clothing measurements. I was a size 32 in Diesel, and a large or XL in tops depending.
Once I figured out how the measurement guide works and I watched the videos as referenced above , I learned a lot about vanity sizing lol.
Seriously though , I do much the same as you OP. I will add, that now that I know my IH sizing pretty well I find I mainly just focus on the chest dimensions (mostly). For me, everything else pretty much falls into place if that’s correct.
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I do something similar. I just keep a little Excel sheet going of the things I own, and the stated measurements (not the actual ones of the ones in my closet), and I have that open on front of me when new measurements of new items are posted. I always go with the stated measurements as no point trying to compare actual in hand measurements with the stated measurements of a new piece. Unless you're going to narrow it down to a certain size then start emailing the crew to narrow it down further based on what your prefs are.
I just do a quick comparison by pasting in the new item at far right of my table and seeing how it compares, obviously I know how each of the other shirts feel on me so it's pretty easy. I mean you're usually only going to be between the same two sizes, most of the time anyway.
So when it goes live I know what I am getting. And what it is likely to be like.
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Great idea for a thread!
I look at the dimensions in the following order of importance since some are much more critical to the fit than others. If the shoulders are off, I will notice right away but I've never given a though to the sleeve opening.
- Shoulders
- Sleeve Length and Chest
- Length
- Waist and Opening
- Sleeve opening
Also, shrinkage is not the same in every dimension. For example, if you wash a UHF at 30deg, you will get approximately 1cm shrinkage in the sleeve length and length, but nothing noticeable in the horizontal direction. The can differ depending on the material (denim, chambray, etc) due to the weave direction.
