How to Choose the Right Kurta Size When Ordering Online

How to Choose the Right Kurta Size When Ordering Online | Laavan Phere
The Pheras Blog · Laavan Phere
Buying Guide

How to Choose the Right Kurta Size
When Ordering Online

By Nikhil Bhatia · 6 min read · June 2026

Sizing is the number one reason men hesitate before buying ethnic wear online — and the number one reason they return it when they do. This guide removes both problems. Follow these steps and you'll get the right size the first time, every time.

Why kurta sizing is different from western wear sizing

The most common mistake men make is assuming their western wear size translates directly to ethnic wear. It doesn't — and the difference can be significant. A man who wears a size L in western shirts may wear XL in kurtas, or vice versa, depending on the brand and cut.

Western shirts are cut for a close, tailored fit. Kurtas are traditionally cut with more ease — room to move, room to breathe, room to sit cross-legged at a puja. This means the chest measurement that determines your western shirt size needs to be cross-referenced against the brand's actual kurta size chart, not assumed to match.

The only reliable method is to measure yourself in inches and compare directly against the size chart. Everything else is guesswork.

How to measure yourself correctly — step by step

1
Get a soft measuring tape
The flexible fabric or plastic tape used by tailors — not a metal ruler or carpenter's tape. If you don't have one, a piece of string measured against a ruler works in a pinch.
Available at any stationery or fabric shop for under ₹50
2
Measure your chest — this is your primary number
Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest — usually just below your armpits. Keep the tape parallel to the ground and level all the way around. Breathe normally — don't hold your breath in or puff your chest out. The tape should be comfortably snug, not tight.
This number in inches is your starting point for every size chart
3
Measure your stomach (waist)
Measure around your natural waistline — just above your belly button, where your torso is naturally narrowest. Stand relaxed — don't suck in. This measurement matters for the patiala and churidar fit.
If your stomach is larger than your chest, use your stomach as the primary reference
4
Measure your hip
Stand with your feet together and measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat. This is especially important for the patiala — the patiala needs to fit at the hip, not just the waist.
Most men skip this measurement — don't. It's the most common reason patialas fit poorly
5
Note your shoulder width
Measure from the edge of one shoulder to the other, straight across your upper back. This is the measurement that determines whether the kurta's shoulder seam sits correctly — the most important fit point on any kurta.
Shoulder seam must sit exactly at the shoulder edge — not dropping down the arm

The Laavan Phere size chart

All measurements are in inches. Chest is your primary reference. Cross-check stomach and hip for confirmation. If any two measurements suggest different sizes — go with the larger size.

Size Brand Length Chest ★ Stomach Hip Shoulder
S 36 41 41 40 43 17
M 38 42 43 42 45 18
L 40 42 45 44 47 18.5
XL 42 43 47 46 49 19
XXL 44 43 49 49 51 19.5
3XL 46 44 51 52 54 20
4XL 48 45 54 55 56 20
5XL 50 45 56 57 58 20.5

All measurements in inches · Chest ★ is your primary sizing reference · Patiala has drawstring waist

Between two sizes? Always size up.
If your chest measures 44 inches — halfway between M (43) and L (45) — order L. A slightly larger kurta can be worn comfortably and styled well. A too-small kurta pulls at the chest, restricts movement, and cannot be fixed. When in doubt, go up.

How to check if the kurta fits correctly when it arrives

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Shoulders — check this first
The shoulder seam must sit exactly at the edge of your shoulder — the bony point where your arm meets your torso. If it drops below onto your arm, the kurta is too large. If it pulls inward, it's too small. This is non-negotiable — no other fit point matters if the shoulder is wrong.
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Chest — should have ease
You should be able to place two fingers flat under the fabric at the chest comfortably. Not tight, not baggy — room to breathe and move freely. A kurta that pulls across the chest when you raise your arms is too small.
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Length — at or just below the knee
Our kurtas are designed to fall at knee length. If it falls at mid-thigh, the kurta may be too large in the body. If it falls to the shin, try a size down. The knee-length silhouette is both the most comfortable and the most photogenic for Indian occasions.
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Patiala — drawstring adjusts freely
The patiala has a drawstring waist that adjusts to fit a range of waist sizes. Tie it comfortably at your natural waist — not too tight, not so loose that it slips. The patiala should fall in relaxed pleats from the hip — if it looks strained across the hip, the patiala size may need to go up.
Still not sure?
WhatsApp us your measurements.
We'll tell you exactly what to order.
+91 9102005990 · Same day response · 7 days a week
💬 WhatsApp Us →

Frequently asked questions

My western shirt size is L — what kurta size should I order?
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Measure your chest first — don't assume. If your chest measures 41–42 inches, you'll likely be an M or L in our kurtas. If it measures 43–44 inches, you'll likely be L or XL. The overlap zone is where most sizing mistakes happen. Take 60 seconds to measure and compare against the chart above — it prevents a return.
I have a large stomach compared to my chest — which measurement do I use?
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Use whichever is larger. If your stomach measurement is larger than your chest, that becomes your primary reference. The kurta needs to fit at its widest point — whether that's the chest or the stomach. The patiala has a drawstring waist that adjusts freely, so the bottom will fit regardless. Order for the larger measurement.
What if the kurta fits at the chest but the shoulders are wrong?
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This is a sign that your shoulder width and chest measurement don't align with standard sizing — which happens for a portion of men. If the shoulders fit but the chest is tight, go up one size. If the chest fits but the shoulders are too wide, check if the brand offers a slim-fit alternative. If neither works, we recommend WhatsApping us with both measurements — we'll advise on the best option.
What is Laavan Phere's return policy if the size is wrong?
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We offer 7-day easy returns and exchanges from the date of delivery. If the size isn't right when the kurta arrives, initiate an exchange within 7 days — we'll arrange reverse pickup and send the correct size. This is why we always recommend ordering at least 7 days before your function — it gives you time to exchange if needed without any last-minute stress.
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N
Nikhil Bhatia — Founder, Laavan Phere
Building handcrafted kurta sets for the moments that matter most — from the seven pheras to every celebration that follows.
Kurta size guide How to measure kurta size Ethnic wear sizing India Buy kurta online Kurta fit guide Men ethnic wear 2026
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