Size guide
NEW INCLUSIVE SIZING BASED ON REAL POPULATION DATA
To enable you to benefit from the full potential of sewing by getting the best possible fit for your figure, we worked for several months to define what we felt was the best possible sizing system.
While it’s impossible to get a perfect fit for every body type out of the box, we did base our sizing on measurements of the real world population, and on a realistic morphology, far from the usual hourglass-shaped mannequins.
We did this using new-generation physical and virtual mannequins, designed on the basis of tens of thousands of scans of real women’s bodies. We also used several data sets provided by researchers and retail brands. The result: a fit that conforms more closely to the average female morphology, and two size charts below:
A simplified sizing chart for beginners
A very detailed sizing chart for experienced seamstresses
Videos:
Learn more about the French Poetry sizing process
How to take measurements
How to fit garments
Simplified measurements chart
Designed for novice seamstresses, this simplified measurement chart makes it easy to find your size in order to get a garment that is close to your ready-to-wear size.
However, ready-to-wear measurements vary from one brand to another: it is best to take your own measurements or compare with your favorite brand’s size chart to find the best French Poetry size for you.
If you are in between sizes, as with ready-to-wear, you may choose your size according to the style of the garment: if the design is fitted, take the next size up, and if it is loose-fitting, you may go with the smaller size. Sizing advice is provided for every pattern.
Comment prendre ses mensurations de base
| French Poetry size / US size | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 |
| UK/AU sizes | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 |
| FR / Spain / Portugal sizes | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 | 54 | 56 | 58 |
| Full Bust | 75 to 78 | 78 to 82 | 82 to 86 | 86 to 90 | 90 to 94 | 94 to 98 | 98 to 102 | 102 to 108 | 108 to 114 | 114 to 120 | 120 to 126 | 126 to 132 | 132 to 138 | 138 to 144 |
| Waist | 59 to 63 | 63 to 67 | 67 to 71 | 71 to 75 | 75 to 79 | 79 to 83 | 83 to 87 | 87 to 93.5 | 93.5 to 100 | 100 to 106.5 | 106.5 to 113 | 113 to 119.5 | 119,5 to 126 | 126 to 132.5 |
| Low Hip | 80 to 84 | 84 to 88 | 88 to 92 | 92 to 96 | 96 to 100 | 100 to 104 | 104 to 108 | 108 to 114 | 114 to 120 | 120 to 126 | 126 to 132 | 132 to 138 | 138 to 144 | 144 to 150 |
| Height | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 |
| French Poetry size / US size | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 |
| UK/AU sizes | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 |
| FR / Spain / Portugal sizes | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 | 54 | 56 | 58 |
| Full Bust | 29 1/2 to 30 5/8 | 30 5/8 to 32 1/4 | 32 1/4 to 33 3/4 | 33 3/4 to 35 3/8 | 35 3/8 to 37 | 37 to 38 1/2 | 38 1/2 to 40 1/8 | 40 1/8 to 42 1/2 | 42 1/2 to 44 7/8 | 44 7/8 to 47 1/8 | 47 1/8 to 49 1/2 | 49 1/2 to 51 7/8 | 51 7/8 to 54 1/4 | 54 1/4 to 56 5/8 |
| Waist | 23 1/8 to 24 3/4 | 24 3/4 to 26 3/8 | 26 3/8 to 27 7/8 | 27 7/8 to 29 1/2 | 29 1/2 to 31 | 31 to 32 5/8 | 32 5/8 to 34 1/4 | 34 1/4 to 36 3/4 | 36 3/4 to 39 1/4 | 39 1/4 to 41 7/8 | 41 7/8 to 44 3/8 | 44 3/8 to 47 | 47 to 49 1/2 | 49 1/2 to 52 1/8 |
| Low Hip | 31 3/8 to 33 | 33 to 34 5/8 | 34 5/8 to 36 1/8 | 36 1/8 to 37 3/4 | 37 3/4 to 39 1/4 | 39 1/4 to 40 7/8 | 40 7/8 to 42 1/2 | 42 1/2 to 44 7/8 | 44 7/8 to 47 1/8 | 47 1/8 to 49 1/2 | 49 1/2 to 51 7/8 | 51 7/8 to 54 1/4 | 54 1/4 to 56 5/8 | 56 5/8 to 59 |
| Height | 5’6” | 5’6” | 5’6” | 5’6” | 5’6” | 5’6” | 5’6” | 5’6” | 5’6” | 5’6” | 5’6” | 5’6” | 5’6” | 5’6” |
Simplified measurements chart
Designed for novice seamstresses, this simplified measurement chart makes it easy to find your size in order to get a garment that is close to your ready-to-wear size.
However, ready-to-wear measurements vary from one brand to another: it is best to take your own measurements or compare with your favorite brand’s size chart to find the best French Poetry size for you.
If you are in between sizes, as with ready-to-wear, you may choose your size according to the style of the garment: if the design is fitted, take the next size up, and if it is loose-fitting, you may go with the smaller size. Sizing advice is provided for every pattern.
| French Poetry size / US size | UK / AU sizes | FR / Spain / Portugal sizes | Bust | Waist | Hips |
| 0 | 4 | 32 | 75 to 78 | 59 to 63 | 80 to 84 |
| 2 | 6 | 34 | 78 to 82 | 63 to 67 | 84 to 88 |
| 4 | 8 | 36 | 82 to 86 | 67 to 71 | 88 to 92 |
| 6 | 10 | 38 | 86 to 90 | 71 to 75 | 92 to 96 |
| 8 | 12 | 40 | 90 to 94 | 75 to 79 | 96 to 100 |
| 10 | 14 | 42 | 94 to 98 | 79 to 83 | 100 to 104 |
| 12 | 16 | 44 | 98 to 102 | 83 to 87 | 104 to 108 |
| 14 | 18 | 46 | 102 to 108 | 87 to 93.5 | 108 to 114 |
| 16 | 20 | 48 | 108 to 114 | 93.5 to 100 | 114 to 120 |
| 18 | 22 | 50 | 114 to 120 | 100 to 106.5 | 120 to 126 |
| 20 | 24 | 52 | 120 to 126 | 106.5 to 113 | 126 to 132 |
| 22 | 26 | 54 | 126 to 132 | 113 to 119.5 | 132 to 138 |
| 24 | 28 | 56 | 132 to 138 | 119.5 to 126 | 138 to 144 |
| 26 | 30 | 58 | 138 to 144 | 126 to 132.5 | 144 to 150 |
All sizes are based on a height of 168cm.
| French Poetry size / US size | UK / AU sizes | FR / Spain / Portugal sizes | Full Bust | Waist | Low Hip |
| 0 | 4 | 32 | 29 1/2 to 30 5/8 | 23 1/8 to 24 3/4 | 31 3/8 to 33 |
| 2 | 6 | 34 | 30 5/8 to 32 1/4 | 24 3/4 to 26 3/8 | 33 to 34 5/8 |
| 4 | 8 | 36 | 32 1/4 to 33 3/4 | 26 3/8 to 27 7/8 | 34 5/8 to 36 1/8 |
| 6 | 10 | 38 | 33 3/4 to 35 3/8 | 27 7/8 to 29 1/2 | 36 1/8 to 37 3/4 |
| 8 | 12 | 40 | 35 3/8 to 37 | 29 1/2 to 31 | 37 3/4 to 39 1/4 |
| 10 | 14 | 42 | 37 to 38 1/2 | 31 to 32 5/8 | 39 1/4 to 40 7/8 |
| 12 | 16 | 44 | 38 1/2 to 40 1/8 | 32 5/8 to 34 1/4 | 40 7/8 to 42 1/2 |
| 14 | 18 | 46 | 40 1/8 to 42 1/2 | 34 1/4 to 36 3/4 | 42 1/2 to 44 7/8 |
| 16 | 20 | 48 | 42 1/2 to 44 7/8 | 36 3/4 to 39 1/4 | 44 7/8 to 47 1/8 |
| 18 | 22 | 50 | 44 7/8 to 47 1/8 | 39 1/4 to 41 7/8 | 47 1/8 to 49 1/2 |
| 20 | 24 | 52 | 47 1/8 to 49 1/2 | 41 7/8 to 44 3/8 | 49 1/2 to 51 7/8 |
| 22 | 26 | 54 | 49 1/2 to 51 7/8 | 44 3/8 to 47 | 51 7/8 to 54 1/4 |
| 24 | 28 | 56 | 51 7/8 to 54 1/4 | 47 to 49 1/2 | 54 1/4 to 56 5/8 |
| 26 | 30 | 58 | 54 1/4 to 56 5/8 | 49 1/2 to 52 1/8 | 56 5/8 to 59 |
All sizes are based on a height of 5’6”.
Detailed measurements chart
Here you’ll find detailed measurements for each of our sizes. These measurements are based on real data from samples containing tens of thousands of women: we’ve standardized them a little to bring the sizes into line, but you’ll notice that the gap from one size to the next varies from one end of the range to the other. The bust, for example, increases significantly more for larger sizes than for smaller ones.
Below is a detailed description of each measurement, showing how to take it correctly so you can compare your measurements with those on the chart, and explaining which type of adjustment might be right for you.
For the best experience, please read this table on a large screen (not on mobile).
| French Poetry size / US size | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK/AU sizes | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 |
| FR / Spain / Portugal sizes | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 | 54 | 56 | 58 |
| Shoulder Length | 11.25 | 11.5 | 11.75 | 12 | 12.25 | 12.5 | 12.75 | 13 | 13.25 | 13.5 | 13.75 | 14 | 14.25 | 14.5 |
| Across Front | 30 | 30.5 | 31 | 31.5 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39.5 | 41 | 42.5 |
| Across Back | 33 | 33.5 | 34 | 34.5 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 |
| Full Bust circ. | 75 | 78 | 82 | 86 | 90 | 94 | 98 | 102 | 108 | 114 | 120 | 126 | 132 | 138 |
| Under Bust circ. | 62 | 65 | 68 | 71 | 75 | 78.5 | 82 | 85.5 | 90.5 | 96.5 | 102 | 107.5 | 113 | 118.5 |
| Cup Size | A | A | A | B | B | B | B | B | C | C | C | C | C | C |
| Apex To Apex | 17 | 17.5 | 18 | 18.5 | 19 | 19.5 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| Bust Length (from neck base) | 20.5 | 21 | 21.5 | 22 | 22.5 | 23 | 23.5 | 24 | 25.5 | 26 | 26.5 | 27 | 27.5 | 28 |
| Waist circ. | 59 | 63 | 67 | 71 | 75 | 79 | 83 | 87 | 93.5 | 100 | 106.5 | 113 | 119.5 | 126 |
| Center Front Neck To Waist | 36.5 | 36.5 | 36.75 | 36.75 | 37 | 37 | 37.25 | 37.5 | 37.75 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 39.5 | 40 |
| Center Back Neck To Waist | 41 | 41 | 41 | 41 | 41 | 41 | 41.25 | 41.25 | 41.5 | 41.5 | 42 | 42 | 42.5 | 42.5 |
| High Hip circ. | 72.5 | 76.5 | 80.5 | 84.5 | 88.5 | 92.5 | 96.5 | 100.5 | 107.5 | 113.5 | 119.5 | 125.5 | 131.5 | 137.5 |
| Low Hip circ. | 80 | 84 | 88 | 92 | 96 | 100 | 104 | 108 | 114 | 120 | 126 | 132 | 138 | 144 |
| Waist To High Hip | 10.25 | 10.25 | 10.25 | 10.25 | 10.25 | 10.25 | 10.25 | 10.25 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 10.5 |
| Waist To Low Hip | 20.25 | 20.25 | 20.25 | 20.25 | 20.25 | 20.5 | 20.75 | 21 | 21.25 | 21.5 | 22 | 22.5 | 23 | 23.5 |
| Arm Length | 58 | 58 | 58.5 | 58.5 | 59 | 59 | 59.5 | 59.5 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| Bicep circ. | 25 | 25.5 | 26.5 | 27.5 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 |
| Elbow circ. | 22.5 | 23 | 23.5 | 24 | 24.5 | 25 | 25.5 | 26 | 26.5 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
| Wrist circ. | 14.5 | 14.75 | 15 | 15.25 | 15.5 | 15.75 | 16 | 16.25 | 16.5 | 16.75 | 17 | 17.25 | 17.5 | 17.75 |
| Total Height | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 168 |
| Waist To Knee | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60.5 | 60.5 | 60.5 | 60.5 | 60.5 |
| French Poetry size / US size | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK/AU sizes | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 |
| FR / Spain / Portugal sizes | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 | 54 | 56 | 58 |
| Shoulder Length | 4 3/8 | 4 1/2 | 4 5/8 | 4 5/8 | 4 3/4 | 4 7/8 | 5 | 5 | 5 1/8 | 5 1/4 | 5 3/8 | 5 1/2 | 5 1/2 | 5 5/8 |
| Across Front | 11 3/4 | 12 | 12 1/8 | 12 3/8 | 12 1/2 | 12 7/8 | 13 3/8 | 13 3/4 | 14 1/8 | 14 1/2 | 14 7/8 | 15 1/2 | 16 1/8 | 16 5/8 |
| Across Back | 12 7/8 | 13 1/8 | 13 3/8 | 13 1/2 | 13 3/4 | 14 1/8 | 14 1/2 | 14 7/8 | 15 1/4 | 15 5/8 | 16 1/8 | 16 1/2 | 16 7/8 | 17 1/4 |
| Full Bust circ. | 29 1/2 | 30 5/8 | 32 1/4 | 33 3/4 | 35 3/8 | 37 | 38 1/2 | 40 1/8 | 42 1/2 | 44 7/8 | 47 1/8 | 49 1/2 | 51 7/8 | 54 1/4 |
| Under Bust circ. | 24 3/8 | 25 1/2 | 26 3/4 | 27 7/8 | 29 1/2 | 30 7/8 | 32 1/4 | 33 5/8 | 35 5/8 | 37 7/8 | 40 1/8 | 42 1/4 | 44 3/8 | 46 5/8 |
| Cup Size | A | A | A | B | B | B | B | B | C | C | C | C | C | C |
| Apex To Apex | 6 5/8 | 6 7/8 | 7 | 7 1/4 | 7 3/8 | 7 5/8 | 7 3/4 | 8 1/4 | 8 5/8 | 9 | 9 3/8 | 9 3/4 | 10 1/8 | 10 5/8 |
| Bust Length (from neck base) | 8 | 8 1/4 | 8 3/8 | 8 5/8 | 8 3/4 | 9 | 9 1/4 | 9 3/8 | 10 | 10 1/8 | 10 3/8 | 10 5/8 | 10 3/4 | 11 |
| Waist circ. | 23 1/8 | 24 3/4 | 26 3/8 | 27 7/8 | 29 1/2 | 31 | 32 5/8 | 34 1/4 | 36 3/4 | 39 1/4 | 41 7/8 | 44 3/8 | 47 | 49 1/2 |
| Center Front Neck To Waist | 14 1/4 | 14 1/4 | 14 3/8 | 14 3/8 | 14 1/2 | 14 1/2 | 14 5/8 | 14 3/4 | 14 3/4 | 14 7/8 | 15 1/8 | 15 1/4 | 15 1/2 | 15 5/8 |
| Center Back Neck To Waist | 16 1/8 | 16 1/8 | 16 1/8 | 16 1/8 | 16 1/8 | 16 1/8 | 16 1/8 | 16 1/8 | 16 1/4 | 16 1/4 | 16 1/2 | 16 1/2 | 16 5/8 | 16 5/8 |
| High Hip circ. | 28 1/2 | 30 | 31 5/8 | 33 1/4 | 34 3/4 | 36 3/8 | 37 7/8 | 39 1/2 | 42 1/4 | 44 5/8 | 47 | 49 3/8 | 51 3/4 | 54 1/8 |
| Low Hip circ. | 31 3/8 | 33 | 34 5/8 | 36 1/8 | 37 3/4 | 39 1/4 | 40 7/8 | 42 1/2 | 44 7/8 | 47 1/8 | 49 1/2 | 51 7/8 | 54 1/4 | 56 5/8 |
| Waist To High Hip | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 1/8 | 4 1/8 | 4 1/8 | 4 1/8 | 4 1/8 | 4 1/8 |
| Waist To Low Hip | 7 7/8 | 7 7/8 | 7 7/8 | 7 7/8 | 7 7/8 | 8 | 8 1/8 | 8 1/4 | 8 1/4 | 8 3/8 | 8 5/8 | 8 3/4 | 9 | 9 1/4 |
| Arm Length | 22 3/4 | 22 3/4 | 23 | 23 | 23 1/8 | 23 1/8 | 23 3/8 | 23 3/8 | 23 1/2 | 23 1/2 | 23 1/2 | 23 1/2 | 23 1/2 | 23 1/2 |
| Bicep circ. | 9 3/4 | 10 | 10 3/8 | 10 3/4 | 11 3/8 | 11 3/4 | 12 1/8 | 12 1/2 | 13 3/8 | 14 1/8 | 14 7/8 | 15 5/8 | 16 1/2 | 17 1/4 |
| Elbow circ. | 8 3/4 | 9 | 9 1/4 | 9 3/8 | 9 5/8 | 9 3/4 | 10 | 10 1/8 | 10 3/8 | 10 5/8 | 11 | 11 3/8 | 11 3/4 | 12 1/8 |
| Wrist circ. | 5 5/8 | 5 3/4 | 5 7/8 | 6 | 6 | 6 1/8 | 6 1/4 | 6 3/8 | 6 3/8 | 6 1/2 | 6 5/8 | 6 3/4 | 6 7/8 | 6 7/8 |
| Total Height | 66 1/8 | 66 1/8 | 66 1/8 | 66 1/8 | 66 1/8 | 66 1/8 | 66 1/8 | 66 1/8 | 66 1/8 | 66 1/8 | 66 1/8 | 66 1/8 | 66 1/8 | 66 1/8 |
| Waist to knee length | 23 1/2 | 23 1/2 | 23 1/2 | 23 1/2 | 23 1/2 | 23 1/2 | 23 1/2 | 23 1/2 | 23 1/2 | 23 3/4 | 23 3/4 | 23 3/4 | 24 | 24 |