How do I determine what size I am?

The easiest and best way is to have yourself sized at a faire or con ... even if you don't plan on buying right then, our salespeople are happy to help you determine what size you should order. Understanding that this isn't always possible, we have the following guidelines for helping you decide what size to order. Remember, that all orders placed for regularly sized items can be easily exchanged for the correct size.

  SEE BELOW FOR INFORMATION ABOUT BODICE, DOUBLET, CORSET, JACKET SIZING AND PROVIDING MEASUREMENT INFORMATION

Bodice Sizing

We highly recommend you have your bodice sized in person. Having said this, and realizing many of you can't visit us at a faire, we have provided the following directions for determining your size. Please be advised that everyone, no matter how similar in size, wears their bodice differently. Therefore, this is only a beginning for determining your size....you may have to return the first bodice for a larger, smaller, or special size. Bodices can be exchanged if never worn, but not returned for a refund. We will attempt to help you as much as possible in finding your correct size.

• First, take the following measurements: Bust (across nipples), Under Bust (directly below breasts), and Waist.

• Subtract 4-5" from your waist measurement and find it in the chart below. (This is a generalized amount to subtract from your actual measurement. We have found that the larger sizes can, generally, subtract more. We have had women with 49” waist fit our XL. It all depends on a variety of factors, not the least of which is your comfort level) We have provided examples of some customers who have given us feedback as to their individual size vs their actual measurements. These are provided for a guideline to help you decide your own size.

• The chest measurement for the size you select should be close to your under bust measurement.  If you are well endowed (more than six inch difference between your Bust and Under Bust measurement, split the difference to find your Chest measurement. Basically, your rib cage (diaphragm) and waist measurement determine your size...your breasts will be pushed-up as you lace the bodice. The tighter you lace it, the more "lift" you will get. Bra size determines nothing when buying a bodice (if you wear a correctly fitting bra, the size (i.e. 34) is your chest measurement plus 5", the cup size is the difference between your chest and bust measurements.)

  Example: measurements taken as...waist, 34; bust, 42; under bust, 36.  Medium fits well, waist a little loose.

• We offer "tall" sizes, that are 1" longer than our regular bodices.

Our bodice sizes have the following measurements:

• Doublet Sizing

   

  All of are doublets are available in the following sizes: Standard, Tall, Small, Small Tall, XL and Custom.

  They are open at the side seam and lace closed.

  Side panels are available for $35.00 to add width if needed. (Side panels are 4" wide each; adding a total of 8" per pair; they are sold in pairs)

  Measurements of our sizes are:

  STANDARD:

  • 42” chest*

  • 37” waist*

  • 22” back length**

  • 23” sleeve length***

  TALL:

  • 42” chest*

  • 37” waist*

  • 25” back length**

  • 25” sleeve length***

  SMALL:

  • 38” chest*

  • 32” waist*

  • 20” back length**

  • 19” sleeve length***

  SMALL TALL:

  • 38” chest*

  • 32” waist*

  • 22” back length**

  • 19” sleeve length***

  XLARGE:

  • 52” chest*

  • 47” waist*

  • 24” back length**

  • 24” sleeve length***

  Custom sizing is always available. Simply email us your chest, waist, back length and arm length measurements and we will create a pattern especially for you. (There may a patterning fee)

  As always, you may email us with any suggestions, questions, and comments.

  *Remember, these measurements are with the doublet laced completely closed. You can loosen the laces to add width or adjust as necessary. You can even lace the doublet with the grommets overlapping to reduce the size.

  ** Back length of the doublet is measured from the bottom of the collar to the bottom of the doublet body. Most of our doublets have picadilles sewn into the bottom of the doublet that add 4-5” of perceived length.

  ** The sleeves tie on and can be adjusted for length to a certain extent. If you feel you need a shorter or longer sleeve, please email us an arm length measurement.

• Corset Sizing

  Our corsets are sized from 0 to 20. You can determine your size based on your dress size and waist measurement. For the most part, you will want to order TWO sizes smaller than you would buy when purchasing an item of women's clothing in a department store. That combined with knowing your actual waist measurement (NOT jean size), you can make an educated guess at what size to order. It is always best to try one on, but we realize it is not always possible to visit us at a faire or con. Feel free to call or email if you are concerned about what size to order. If you do end up ordering the wrong size, it is not a problem, exchanges for size are always available.

Jacket Sizing

By Jacket, we are referring to anything not designated a "Doublet" (found on the Pendragon site). For Doublet sizing, please see above.

The following sizes are a guide for purchasing "off the rack" at a convention. When ordering online, especially when you haven't tried a jacket on in person, we usually prefer to have actual measurements. An outline for taking your measurements is provided later on this page.

Lapel Vests and Jackets (from the Mad.Girl site):

Small 36-38" chest, Medium 40-42" chest, Large 44-46" chest and X-large 48-50" chest. XLarge Tall is the chest and waist of the Xlarge, but 4" longer. The vests are open on the side and can accommodate a wider range of measurements within each size.

Lapel Pirate Coat (from Mad.Girl site):

XSmall 30-32" chest (31-32 1/2" hip); Small 34-36" chest (35-37" hip): Medium 38-40" chest (39-41" hip); Large 42-44" chest (43-45" hip); Xlarge 46-48" chest (47-49" hip); XXLarge 50-52" chest (51-53" hip)

Double Breasted Captain's Coat and Double Breasted Jacket with Tails (from Mad.Girl site)::

XSmall 30-32" chest; Small 34-36" chest: Medium 38-40" chest; Large 42-44" chest; Xlarge 46-48" chest; XXLarge 50-52" chest

Flying Squad Coat (from Mad.Girl site):

Xsmall 36-38" chest; Small 40-42" chest; Medium 44-46" chest; Large 48-50" chest; Xlarge 52-54" chest

Brown Suede Coat (from both Mad.Girl an S.I.L.C. sites):

Small 38-40" chest and up to 35" waist; Medium 42-44" chest and up to 43" waist; Large 48-50" chest and up to 46 waist; Xlarge 52-54" chest and up to 50" waist.

Highwayman Jacket (from both Mad.Girl and S.I.L.C. sites):

This is designed to be an overcoat, not fitted like the other jackets and trenchcoats, therefor the measurements are a little different. Sizing information is suggested, larger men can fit into smaller sizes if desired.

Small 40-42" chest; Medium 44-46" chest, Large 48-50" chest; Xlarge 52-54" chest

Mens Trench (from S.I.L.C. site):

XSmall 30-32" chest (31-32 1/2" hip); Small 34-36" chest (35-37" hip): Medium 38-40" chest (39-41" hip); Large 42-44" chest (43-45" hip); Xlarge 46-48" chest (47-49" hip); XXLarge 50-52" chest (51-53" hip)

Providing Measurements

When ordering custom jackets and other items, measurements are usually necessary to help us make the best fit possible. If you tried on an item at a faire or con, you can let us know what size fit you the best (feel free to mention any alterations you feel were necessary). If you are ordering "cold" off the website, these are the measurements we general need:

For men:

Chest Measurement - Circumference around widest part of chest (#14 on measurement diagram)

Waist Measurement - Circumference around at waist (#16 on measurement diagram)

Back Length - Down back from neck to waist (#22 on measurement diagram)

Back Width - shoulder seam to shoulder seam across widest part of back

Front Width - shoulder seam to shoulder seam across widest part of front (#11 on measurement diagram)

Armseye Circumference - around shoulder seam: over shoulder and under armpit (#49 on measurement diagram)

Arm length - IMPORTANT: this is from the edge of your shoulder, down your arm to your wrist. It is best to have your arm slightly bent and to run the tape over the outside of your elbow. 

Wrist Circumference (keep tape loose to a comfortable measurement: do not take tight against your wrist) (#52 on measurement diagram)

Overall Length -

   For Trenchcoats: collar to "where you want it to reach".

   For Jackets: collar to just below waist. (Again, to where you want it to reach)

Neck circumference - at base of your neck; keep tape comfortably loose

For women:

Chest Measurement - Circumference around widest part of chest ( H on measurement diagram)

Waist Measurement - Circumference around at waist ( G on measurement diagram)

Hip Measurement - Circumference around the widest part, usually 8-9" down from your waist ( I on the measurement guide)

Back Length - Down back from neck to waist   ( A to B on measurement diagram)

Back Width - shoulder seam to shoulder seam across widest part of back ( P to Q on measurement diagram)

Front Width - shoulder seam to shoulder seam across widest part of front ( N to O on measurement diagram)

Armseye Circumference - around shoulder seam: over shoulder and under armpit ( L (dotted line) on measurement diagram)

Arm length - IMPORTANT: this is from the edge of your shoulder, down your arm to your wrist. It is best to have your arm slightly bent and to run the tape over the outside of your elbow. ( L to M on measurement diagram)

Skirt length - waist to floor (R to S on measurement guide)