Sizing & Measurements

Ease (garment ease)

Ease is the difference between a garment's measurements and your body's measurements. Positive ease means the garment is larger than you, giving room to move; negative ease means it's smaller and relies on stretch. Ease is what separates a fitted cut from a relaxed one at the same size.

Two tops can be labelled "medium" with the same body measurement target, yet one is tight and one is loose — the difference is how much ease the designer built in. A tailored shirt has little ease; an oversized one has a lot.

Negative ease only works with stretch fabrics: a bodycon dress is cut smaller than your body and depends on elastane to fit. Knowing a garment's intended ease tells you far more than the size label does.