Size & Fit Guide

Every wearable piece at Namaste Nook lists its own measurements, laid flat, right on the product page. This page explains why that's the method we use instead of S/M/L, how to read those numbers against something already in your closet, and what each term actually means.

Why there's no standard size chart

Our pieces are personally selected in India rather than manufactured to one house size chart, and most are one-of-a-kind or come from small batches. That means a "medium" from one maker and a "medium" from another can measure differently — sometimes by a couple of inches. Rather than put a size label on a piece that can't back it up, we measure every wearable item ourselves, laid flat, and list the real numbers on its product page.

It takes an extra minute compared to picking a size off a menu, but it's the more honest number, and it works whether you typically wear a 4 or a 24.

How to use the measurements

You don't need a fitting room for this — just something from your own closet that fits the way you want this piece to fit.

Pick a comparison piece.Grab a top, tunic, or kurti you already own and like the fit of — ideally a similar style (loose kurtis compare best to other loose tops, not fitted t-shirts).
Lay it flat.Button or zip it if it has a closure, smooth out the wrinkles, and lay it on a bed or table without stretching the fabric.
Measure the same points listed on the product page.Use a soft tape measure and measure straight across or straight down, point to point — not around a curve. See the glossary below for exactly where each measurement is taken.
Compare, don't convert.Line your numbers up next to the product page's numbers directly. If your comparison top's "pit to pit" is 21 in and the listing says 20 in, expect the Namaste Nook piece to sit about an inch narrower through the chest — not a full size different.

One thing to know: because many pieces are one-of-a-kind, we can't offer exchanges for a different size if the fit isn't right — see our Returns & Exchanges FAQ for what we can do instead.

Kurti & tunic top measurements

This is the measurement set you'll see on our current kurti and tunic top listings.

Women's Top / Short Kurti measurement guide diagram showing where to measure shoulder width, pit to pit, chest circumference, sleeve length, sleeve opening, total length, waist width, hem width, neck width, and front neck drop — Measured laid flat, naturally smoothed, not stretched.

Term	What it means
Shoulder width	Straight across the back, from the outer edge of one shoulder seam to the other.
Pit to pit	Straight across the chest, from the base of one underarm to the other. Doubling this gives the full chest circumference.
Chest circumference	Pit to pit measurement × 2 — the full way around at the widest point of the chest.
Sleeve length	From the shoulder seam to the end of the sleeve, along the outer edge.
Sleeve opening	Straight across the opening at the end of the sleeve.
Total length	From the highest point of the shoulder seam straight down to the hem.
Waist width	Straight across the narrowest part of the garment, usually just above the hip.
Hem width	Straight across the bottom opening of the garment.
Neck width	Straight across the neckline opening at its widest point.
Front neck drop	From the shoulder seam line straight down to the lowest point of the front neckline.

Choli & saree blouse measurements

We don't currently carry cropped blouse-style pieces, but if that changes, this is the fuller set of terms you'd see — it also covers a few points, like armhole and back neck drop, that are useful reference even for our current pieces.

Choli / Saree Blouse measurement guide diagram, front and back template, showing shoulder width, pit to pit, bust circumference, sleeve length, sleeve opening, front length, bottom band width, front and back neck width and drop, armhole, and back opening or tie span — Measured laid flat, naturally smoothed, not stretched.

Term	What it means
Bust circumference	Pit to pit measurement × 2 — the full way around at the fullest point of the bust.
Front length	From the shoulder seam straight down to the bottom hem, measured on the front.
Bottom band / underbust width	Straight across the bottom edge of the piece, just under the bust.
Front / back neck width	Straight across the neckline opening, front or back, at its widest point.
Front / back neck drop	From the shoulder seam straight down to the lowest point of the neckline, front or back.
Armhole	Around the curve of the sleeve opening, from shoulder seam to underarm.
Back opening / tie span	The width of the open back panel, edge to edge, where ties or a hook closure sit.

Still unsure about a specific piece?

Get in touch with the item name and we're happy to double-check a measurement or two before you order. You can also read our Care Guide for how to look after a piece once it arrives.