Women's Clothing Size Guide — Snyvia
Measure your bust, waist and hips in inches using a soft fabric measuring tape. Find your measurement in the size chart for your garment type below — anarkali suits, lehengas, sharara sets, dresses or tops. If you fall between two sizes, always size up. All Snyvia garments are fully stitched and ready to wear.
Ordering ethnic wear online can feel uncertain — especially for structured pieces like anarkali suits, lehengas and sharara sets where fit makes all the difference. This guide covers exactly how to measure yourself at home, what measurements matter for each category, and what to do if you're between sizes. Read it once and shop with confidence every time.
How to Measure Yourself at Home
You'll need a soft fabric measuring tape — not a metal ruler or string. Wear fitted clothing or just your innerwear. Stand naturally without sucking in. Ask someone to help if possible — self-measurements can be off by 1–2 inches.
Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, parallel to the floor. Snug but comfortable — you should be able to breathe. This number is your garment size: 36 inches = Size S at Snyvia.
Find your natural waist — the narrowest part of your torso, 2–3 inches above your navel. Keep the tape horizontal, don't pull tight. This is the key measurement for lehengas and sharara sets.
Stand with feet together. Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your hips and buttocks — usually 7–9 inches below your waist. Keep it horizontal all the way around.
Stand barefoot against a wall and note your height in feet and inches. Relevant for choosing garment length for anarkali suits, gowns and lehenga skirts.
Anarkali Suits & Salwar Sets — Size Chart
Anarkali suits and salwar sets are sized by bust measurement. The bust determines how the kameez fits across the shoulders and torso. The flair of the anarkali means waist and hip measurements are secondary — the garment accommodates a wide range below the bust.
| Size | Your Bust (inches) | Your Waist (inches) | Your Hip (inches) | Garment Length | Best For Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S (36) | 34 – 35" | 28 – 30" | 36 – 38" | 50 – 55" | 5'0" – 5'4" |
| M (38) | 36 – 37" | 30 – 32" | 38 – 40" | 50 – 55" | 5'2" – 5'5" |
| L (40) | 38 – 39" | 32 – 34" | 40 – 42" | 51 – 56" | 5'3" – 5'6" |
| XL (42) | 40 – 41" | 34 – 36" | 42 – 44" | 52 – 57" | 5'4" – 5'7" |
| XXL (44) | 42 – 43" | 36 – 38" | 44 – 46" | 52 – 57" | 5'4" – 5'8" |
Lehenga Choli — Size Chart
Lehengas have two separate sizing parts: the choli (blouse) is sized by bust, and the lehenga skirt is sized by waist. Most Snyvia lehenga skirts have a drawstring or hook that allows ±2 to 3 inches of adjustment. The choli is fully stitched to your size.
| Size | Choli Bust (inches) | Skirt Waist (inches) | Hip (inches) | Skirt Length | Best For Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S (36) | 34 – 36" | 26 – 28" | 36 – 38" | 40 – 42" | 5'0" – 5'3" |
| M (38) | 36 – 38" | 28 – 30" | 38 – 40" | 41 – 42" | 5'2" – 5'5" |
| L (40) | 38 – 40" | 30 – 32" | 40 – 42" | 42 – 43" | 5'3" – 5'6" |
| XL (42) | 40 – 42" | 32 – 34" | 42 – 44" | 43 – 44" | 5'4" – 5'7" |
| XXL (44) | 42 – 44" | 34 – 36" | 44 – 46" | 43 – 44" | 5'5" – 5'8" |
Sharara Sets — Size Chart
Sharara sets have a short kurti (sized by bust) and wide-flared sharara trousers (sized by waist). The wide flair means hip measurement is rarely a constraint — focus on getting the waist right.
| Size | Kurti Bust (inches) | Sharara Waist (inches) | Hip (inches) | Kurti Length | Sharara Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S (36) | 34 – 36" | 28 – 30" | 36 – 38" | 18 – 20" | 38 – 40" |
| M (38) | 36 – 38" | 30 – 32" | 38 – 40" | 18 – 20" | 39 – 41" |
| L (40) | 38 – 40" | 32 – 34" | 40 – 42" | 19 – 21" | 40 – 42" |
| XL (42) | 40 – 42" | 34 – 36" | 42 – 44" | 19 – 21" | 40 – 42" |
| XXL (44) | 42 – 44" | 36 – 38" | 44 – 46" | 20 – 22" | 41 – 43" |
Dresses (Western & Indo-Western) — Size Chart
Bust is the primary measurement. Bodycon styles are form-fitting — size up if between sizes. Flowy styles like our gowns and midi dresses are more forgiving.
| Size | Bust (inches) | Waist (inches) | Hip (inches) | US Size | UK Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS (34) | 32 – 34" | 26 – 28" | 34 – 36" | US 2 – 4 | UK 6 – 8 |
| S (36) | 34 – 36" | 28 – 30" | 36 – 38" | US 4 – 6 | UK 8 – 10 |
| M (38) | 36 – 38" | 30 – 32" | 38 – 40" | US 8 – 10 | UK 12 – 14 |
| L (40) | 38 – 40" | 32 – 34" | 40 – 42" | US 12 – 14 | UK 16 – 18 |
| XL (42) | 40 – 42" | 34 – 36" | 42 – 44" | US 16 | UK 20 |
Tops, Kurtas & Kurtis — Size Chart
| Size | Bust (inches) | Waist (inches) | Short Kurti Length | Long Kurti Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S (36) | 34 – 36" | 28 – 30" | 36 – 38" | 44 – 46" |
| M (38) | 36 – 38" | 30 – 32" | 37 – 39" | 45 – 47" |
| L (40) | 38 – 40" | 32 – 34" | 38 – 40" | 46 – 48" |
| XL (42) | 40 – 42" | 34 – 36" | 39 – 41" | 47 – 49" |
| XXL (44) | 42 – 44" | 36 – 38" | 40 – 42" | 48 – 50" |
Fabric Stretch Guide — How Different Fabrics Fit
The same size number fits differently depending on fabric. A Fox Georgette anarkali drapes loosely while velvet is rigid. Here's what to know before ordering:
| Fabric | Stretch | Sizing Advice | Used In |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Georgette | Minimal | Order your exact bust size. Lightweight and flowy — very forgiving. | Anarkali suits, sharara sets |
| Chinnon Silk | None | True to size. Slightly structured — can feel snug if sized down. | Wedding sharara, anarkali |
| Crep Silk | Slight drape | True to size. Order your exact measurement. | Sharara sets, suit sets |
| Velvet | None | Size up by one if between sizes. Velvet has no give and feels significantly tighter after hours of wear at an event. | Winter anarkali, lehenga |
| Blooming Georgette | Minimal | True to size. Fuller fabric so volume is already built in. | Gowns, heavy anarkali |
| Cotton Blend | Slight | Very comfortable. Order your size — the natural stretch gives good ease. | Casual kurtas, summer tops |
| Lycra / Bodycon | High (4-way) | Order your exact bust size. The fabric stretches 2–4 inches. Do NOT size up. | Bodycon dresses, fitted tops |
The Golden Rule — When In Doubt, Size Up
This is the most important rule in online ethnic wear shopping. Here's why it works:
- Indian ethnic wear is designed with relaxed ease — anarkalis, sharara sets and suits are meant to have some room. A slightly larger size looks just as good and is far more comfortable.
- A larger garment can be altered by any local tailor — taking in a seam costs ₹100–200 and takes an hour. A too-small garment cannot be let out.
- Velvet and structured fabrics feel tighter after 4–6 hours — what fits perfectly in a trial room becomes uncomfortable by the end of a wedding. Always size up on velvet.
- If your measurement falls exactly on a size boundary (e.g. bust exactly 38 inches, which is both S-top and M-bottom of the range) — order M.
Common Sizing Questions
My bust is 36" but my hip is 42" — which size should I order for an anarkali?
Order based on your bust — Size S or M (S fits bust 34–36, M fits bust 36–38). For anarkali suits, the flared silhouette starts from the waist and fully accommodates the hips regardless of measurement. The churidar/palazzo bottom has an adjustable drawstring. Your hip measurement is not a constraint for anarkalis.
I'm 5'7" — will the lehenga skirt be long enough?
Most Snyvia lehengas are 42–44 inches in skirt length, which works for heights up to 5'7" in flat footwear, or 5'5" with 3-inch heels. If you are taller or want floor-length coverage with heels, contact us on WhatsApp before ordering and we can advise on the exact product length.
Will the churidar fit my hips?
Snyvia churidars have an adjustable drawstring waist and typically have enough hip fabric to fit within 4 inches of the garment size. If your hip is more than 4 inches larger than shown for your bust size, size up. Sharara and palazzo bottoms have no hip constraint at all — they are wide-legged and fit all hip measurements comfortably.
I'm between M and L — which should I order?
Always order L. You can have a tailor take it in slightly (costs ₹100–200). A too-tight garment cannot be let out and will be uncomfortable to wear for hours at a function or event.
Does Snyvia offer custom stitching or made-to-measure?
All Snyvia garments are fully stitched and ready to wear in standard sizes (S, M, L, XL, XXL). We do not offer made-to-measure currently. For minor alterations after receiving your order, any local tailor can make adjustments easily — most ethnic wear alterations take 1–2 days and cost ₹100–300.
What measurements do I need for ordering a saree?
For the saree fabric itself — no measurements needed. Sarees are one size (6 metres of unstitched fabric draped around the body). However, our sarees come with an unstitched blouse piece which you take to your local tailor. For the blouse stitching, your tailor will need: bust, waist, shoulder width, arm length, and desired blouse length.
Returns & Size Exchange
If your order doesn't fit as expected, contact us within 7 days of delivery with your order number. We'll arrange a pickup and send the correct size. We strongly recommend checking measurements against the charts above before ordering.
For any sizing questions before placing your order, reach out to us on WhatsApp — our team will help you pick the right size based on your measurements and the specific product you're looking at.