Why the inches matter more than the size letter
Kurtis and salwar suits are made by many different brands and makers, and each one cuts its own sizes. A medium from one label can measure 38 inches around the chest and a medium from another 42. Even two pieces from the same maker can differ, because a loose straight kurti and a fitted one are cut in different ways.
That is why every piece in this shop lists its own size and its own chest, hips and length in inches, measured on the garment itself. Use the size letter to narrow things down, then let the inches decide. The surest way to choose is to compare those numbers with a kurti or suit you already own that fits you well.
How to measure yourself
You need a soft tape measure and a few minutes. Wear a thin top or the bra you usually wear under a kurti, stand straight, and keep the tape snug but not tight. Write each number down in inches.
- Chest (bust): wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms, keeping it level across your back.
- Waist: measure around your natural waist, the narrowest part of your body, usually just above the belly button.
- Hips: stand with your feet together and measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat.
- Length: measure from the top of your shoulder, right next to your neck, straight down to where you want the hem to fall. It is easier with a friend holding the tape.
The easiest check: measure a kurti that already fits
If you own a kurti or kameez you like the fit of, measure that instead of yourself. Garment numbers compare directly with the numbers on each listing, so there is no guessing about how much room to add.
- Lay it flat on a table, buttoned or zipped, and smooth out the wrinkles.
- Chest: measure straight across from one armpit seam to the other, then double it.
- Hips: measure straight across at the widest part, just above the side slits, then double it.
- Length: measure from the top of the shoulder seam, next to the collar, down to the hem.
- Compare these with the chest, hips and length on the listing. Within about an inch is a close match.
Kurti size chart in inches
These are the real ranges of the 27 sized kurtis in the shop when this guide was updated, measured on the garments. A range such as 38-42 for size M means the smallest M kurti measures the first number around the chest and the largest the second. A size missing from the table means there is no kurti in that size right now.
Lengths vary the most, because a short kurti and a long one can carry the same size label. As a rough guide on a woman of average height, about 30 to 34 inches covers the hips and ends around the upper thigh, 36 to 40 inches ends just above or at the knee, and 42 inches or more falls below it. Check the length on each listing against a kurti you own.
| Size | Chest (in) | Hips (in) | Length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 38-39 | 42-42.5 | 36-37 |
| M | 38-42 | 41-46 | 31-42 |
| L | 43-44 | 46-48 | 37.5-47 |
| XL | 46 | 50 | 37 |
| 2XL | 50 | 54 | 38.5 |
Pakistani suit size chart in inches
Here is the same check for the 27 sized Pakistani suits, which include 2-piece and 3-piece sets and maxi dresses. Length here is the length of the shirt (kameez) from shoulder to hem. Maxi dresses are the longest, at 49 to 50 inches, which is why some length ranges stretch so far. Notice how the sizes overlap: one XL suit here measures 40 inches at the chest, less than any of the L suits. That is exactly why the inches matter more than the letter.
The trousers in a suit are cut to go with the shirt, and shalwars and palazzos usually have an elastic or drawstring waist, so the chest and hips of the shirt matter most. If you want to know a trouser length, just ask.
| Size | Chest (in) | Hips (in) | Length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 36-37 | 40 | 40-46 |
| S | 34-39 | 40 | 38-50 |
| M | 38-40.5 | 40-42.5 | 38-49 |
| L | 42-44 | 45-48 | 36-45 |
| XL | 40-46 | 44-53 | 40-45 |
| 2XL | 50 | 52 | 39 |
What kurti sizes like 38, 40 and 42 mean
Many Indian brands label kurtis with a number instead of a letter. The number is usually the garment's chest in inches, so a size 38 kurti measures about 38 inches around the chest and a size 42 about 42 inches. On many Indian charts 38 is sold as M, 40 as L and 42 as XL, but not every brand follows that, and the M kurtis in this shop measure 38 to 42 inches.
A size 38 kurti is not meant for a 38-inch bust. Because the number is the garment, most women pick one about 2 to 4 inches bigger than their own chest, so a 36-inch bust usually wears a 38 or a 40. For a loose, straight look go up a little more; for a fitted look stay closer to your own number.
Between two sizes, and before you order
If you fall between two sizes, think about the fabric and the cut. Cotton, linen and khaddar have almost no stretch, so the larger size is usually the safer choice. Viscose, georgette and chiffon drape softly, so a little extra room looks relaxed rather than baggy. A straight or A-line kurti can be roomy, while a fitted one needs the chest and hips right.
Plus and petite sizes are easy to miss, so the shop keeps them together on the plus-size and small-size pages. Still unsure? Tap Order on WhatsApp under the piece, send Shagufta your measurements, and ask for a video or extra photos so you can see how it sits before you order.
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Updated October 2026
