Fit & Size
Kurta Size Guide: How to Measure and Choose Correctly
The letter on the tag means little. Three measurements and one rule decide whether a kurta fits.
There is no national standard for Indian ethnic wear sizing. An L from one label can differ from an L elsewhere by a full size, and the same label may size a kurta and a co-ord set differently. This is why buying by letter alone produces so many returns.
The three measurements
Take these over your underwear, not over clothes, with the tape level and snug but not pulled tight.
- Bust — around the fullest part, tape level across the back.
- Waist — the narrowest point of the torso, usually just above the navel.
- Hip — the fullest part, standing with your feet together.
For kurta length, measure from the top of your shoulder straight down to where you want the hem to fall. This is the measurement most people skip and most often regret.
Reading the chart
The critical question on any size chart is whether the numbers describe your body or the garment. A chart listing "Bust 42" might mean it fits a 42-inch bust, or that the garment itself measures 42 inches around — which would fit roughly a 38–40 inch bust once ease is accounted for.
If the listing does not say, assume it is body measurement, and check the return policy before ordering.
Size to your largest measurement. A kurta that fits the bust but pulls across the hip reads as too small.
When to size up
- You are between two sizes — always take the larger.
- The fabric is a stiff cotton or has no stretch.
- You want to wear it through a summer, when a closer fit becomes uncomfortable.
- The style is straight-cut rather than A-line, which is less forgiving through the hip.
Sizing down is rarely worth it. Ethnic wear is straightforward to take in and difficult to let out — most kurtas have minimal seam allowance.
The alteration most worth making
Buy for the largest measurement and have the waist taken in. A local tailor will do it for a small fraction of the garment price, and the result fits better than any standard size would. Shortening palazzos to your actual height is the second adjustment worth making almost every time.
Should I size up or down if I am between sizes?
Up, almost always. A kurta can be taken in at the waist cheaply; letting one out is limited by the seam allowance, which on most kurtas is minimal.
Does the size chart describe my body or the garment?
It varies by listing, and the difference is several inches. If it is not stated, assume it is a body measurement and check the return policy before ordering.
Which measurement matters most?
Whichever is largest on you. Size to that one and alter the rest. A kurta that fits the bust but pulls at the hip reads as too small.
Do cotton kurtas shrink enough to affect sizing?
A little on the first wash, which matters if you have sized tightly. Washing cold and line drying prevents most of it — see our washing guide.
Most of our kurta sets run to XXL, many to 3XL, and a few to 4XL.
Shop kurta setsOnce you know your size, browse festive kurta sets and mirror work kurta sets — every product page shows its own size chart.