Which size guide belongs to which brand
Short answer: Every brand has its own size guide, and they are not the same. A medium at one brand can equal a small at another, so always check the guide that belongs to the brand.
Every brand has its own guide
When you buy bamboo clothing from several brands, it is tempting to think a medium is a medium. It does not work that way. Every brand has its own guide with its own measurements. The guide is therefore the number you can trust, more than the letter on the label.
No common standard
There is no common standard for clothing sizes. Every brand makes its own scale based on the body it designs for. That is why two brands can use the same letter and still have different measurements in chest width and length. It is simply how the market works.
The letter alone says nothing
The letter alone gives no information. An S, M or L only means something when you know which brand it is on and which scale the brand uses. So the letter is only useful when you compare within the same brand. When you compare across brands, it is the centimetres in the guide that count.
Find the brand on the product page
Look for the brand's name on the product page and find the size guide that belongs to exactly that brand. If you do not know which brand a product is, look in the title or under the product details. Check the guide every time. See JBS of Denmark.
A guide from another brand
The guide for another brand in the same shop does not apply. Two brands in the same webshop each follow their own scale. That means a size you have used at one brand does not automatically fit at the next. Always use the guide for the product in front of you.
When you buy several brands
If you buy from several brands, note your size per brand in one place. Then the next order takes thirty seconds, and you do not have to measure or guess again. See Boody and Bamboo Basics if you want to compare two brands side by side. It is a small habit that saves doubt.
Write down your size
Write the brand, model and size in a note on your phone as soon as you have found a size that fits properly. Add a few centimetre figures from the guide, so you can compare them with a new guide later. A short list is enough, and it makes it easy to order again.
When there is no guide
If there is no guide for a product, measure a garment you own and ask the shop for the product's measurements. Then compare the numbers. It is the most reliable method, because you compare centimetres with centimetres and do not guess from a letter. It is a small effort.
When a brand changes its guide
Brands sometimes change their guide. If you last bought from a brand a couple of years ago, check the current guide before you order again. Your old size does not necessarily still fit. It only takes a moment to check, and it makes you sure that the fit will be what you expect.
Frequently asked questions
Can you trust the letter?
Only within the same brand and the same series. Across brands the letter says nothing, so always look at the centimetres in the guide that belongs to the product.
What if there is no guide?
Then measure a garment you own and ask the shop for the product's measurements. Compare the centimetres instead of guessing from the letter on the label.
Do brands change their guide?
It happens. Check the current guide before you order again after a couple of years, so you are sure your old size still fits and you avoid a nasty surprise.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
