How to Find Your Perfect Size Online After 60 (No More Guesswork)
Buying clothes online should be one of life's small pleasures. Then one day, two pieces arrive, both labeled "large" and both from different brands, and only one of them fits. If you've ever held on to a sweater you didn't truly love just because sending it back felt like too much trouble, this guide is for you.
Of all the questions our customers ask us, sizing comes up more than almost any other. So we've put together the same advice we'd give a friend. It takes about five minutes, and once you've done it, you'll rarely have to guess at a size again.
Why your usual size doesn't mean what it used to
This surprises many women: there is no official sizing standard for clothing in the United States. No law or organization decides how big a size 12 should be. Each brand creates its own chart, and many have gradually changed their charts over the years so that the size on the label looks smaller than it once would have.
Many garments today are also made using sizing systems from other parts of the world. There, the same letter size can be cut noticeably slimmer across the shoulders and upper arms. So if the size 10 you wore happily for decades suddenly feels snug, it isn't you. The label changed, not your body.
The solution is refreshingly simple. Instead of shopping by size, shop by your measurements.
Take your measurements once, and take them well
All you need is a soft fabric tape measure and a few quiet minutes. Wear the bra and underthings you normally would, stand relaxed, and resist the urge to hold your breath or pull in your stomach. Breathe out gently before you read the tape. It should rest smoothly against you without digging in.
Bust. Measure around the fullest part of your chest, keeping the tape straight all the way around. If it slips down at the back, you'll get a reading that's too small.
Waist. This is your natural waist, the slimmest part of your torso, usually a little above your belly button. It's not where your trousers sit. If you lean to one side, the fold that appears marks the spot.
Hip. Measure around the widest part of your hips and seat, usually seven to nine inches below your waist, with your feet close together.
Upper arm. Let your arm hang loosely and measure around its fullest part. Most women skip this one, yet it's often what decides whether a sleeve feels comfortable or tight, especially in knitwear.
Save all four numbers in your phone along with the date. Our bodies naturally change over time, so it's worth measuring again once a year or after any noticeable change. In our sixties and seventies, the waist and ribcage often change while the shoulders stay much the same. That's why an old favorite cardigan can still sit perfectly across the back while your usual size in something new no longer fits.
How to use our Size Guide
On every product page, you'll find a Size Guide link just above the size options. Tap it to see the measurements for each size of that piece. Our Size Guide shows garment measurements. These are the actual dimensions of the piece itself, not the body size it's designed for. That's good news, because it tells you exactly how each garment is made. It just means using the numbers a little differently.
Every garment is made slightly larger than the body it's meant for. This extra room is called ease, and it's what lets you move, breathe, and layer comfortably. So compare your bust measurement with the garment's bust measurement, and you'll see how much room you'll have:
About 1 to 2 inches more than your bust gives a close, neat fit.
About 2 to 4 inches more gives a classic, comfortable fit, ideal for most sweaters and blouses.
About 4 inches or more gives a relaxed, easy fit, and is the best choice for cardigans you'll wear over another layer.
For example, if your bust measures 40 inches and a sweater's Size Guide shows 44 inches, you'll have about 4 inches of room: a comfortable fit with space to move.
The easiest method of all is to use a piece you already love. Choose a favorite sweater or cardigan that fits just the way you like, lay it flat on a table, and measure straight across from armpit to armpit. Double that number and compare it to the bust measurement in our Size Guide. If the numbers are close, you've found your size. Do the same for the length, measuring from the top of the shoulder to the hem.
Whichever method you use, go by your largest measurement. If the bust fits in a medium but the hips need a large, choose the large. Extra fabric can drape softly where you don't need it, but a garment can't make room where there isn't any.
What to do when you're between sizes
This happens all the time, and the right choice depends on the style.
For pieces shaped at the waist, such as a belted dress, a tailored blouse, or a fitted jacket, choose the larger size and let the belt or seams create the shape. For relaxed, easy-fitting styles that drape instead of hugging, the smaller size is usually better. Sizing up in an already roomy cut tends to add bulk at the shoulders.
Knitwear follows its own rules. Most knits have a natural give, so a sweater can be a little more forgiving than a woven blouse. A ribbed knit, gently adjusts to your shape. Cardigans need one extra thought: if you plan to wear yours over a shirt or light sweater, make sure there's enough room through the bust and arms for that layer underneath.
Four questions that tell you more than the size label
Before you add anything to your cart, look beyond the size buttons and open the Size Guide with these four questions in mind.
Where is the widest point?
On a loose or cocoon-style shape, the fullest part of the garment should sit at or just below the fullest part of your body, never right on it. This small detail is what separates a piece that skims gracefully from one that catches in the wrong place.
How long is it, truly?
Garment length is measured from the highest point of the shoulder down to the hem, not from the underarm. The easiest check is to lay a favorite piece of your own flat, measure it the same way, and compare it with the length in the Size Guide. A difference of just two inches can move a tunic from a flattering hip length to an awkward spot in between.
How roomy is the sleeve?
For a comfortable sleeve, the garment should measure two to three inches more than your upper arm. Allow a little more if you prefer a sleeve that floats instead of following your arm closely.
How wide are the shoulders?
In structured pieces like jackets and collared cardigans, shoulder width matters most, because it can't be adjusted or hidden. A piece can fit well everywhere else and still feel wrong if the shoulder seam lands an inch too far out.
Relaxed, easy shapes are always more forgiving when you're between sizes. A classic cardigan or a loose shirt lets the drape do the work, so an in-between measurement matters far less than it would in a fitted style.
Try it properly before you remove the tags
When your order arrives, don't just stand in front of the mirror. Move around in it. Sit down on a dining chair. Reach up as if for something on a high shelf. Buckle a seatbelt. Walk around your home. If the fabric pulls when you sit, or the sleeves stop you from lifting your arms, it isn't the right size. The measurements may have looked right on paper, but washing won't make it fit better.
Check that the shoulder seams sit right where your arm meets your shoulder and that nothing gapes across the bust. Then look at yourself in natural daylight rather than under bathroom lighting. If something still feels off, ask yourself honestly whether it's the size or simply the style that isn't right for you.
Keep your numbers, keep it simple
Four measurements saved in your phone, a quick look at the Size Guide, one habit of shopping by your largest measurement, and a simple movement test when your order arrives. That's the whole method, and it turns online shopping back into something to enjoy rather than dread.
If you're ready to put your measurements to use, explore our collections. Remember to open the Size Guide on each product page before you choose. And if you're ever unsure, our team is always happy to help you find the right size. Just email us at support@thethomasfamilypalmbeach.com.