Fit Guide

The Northform catalog is built around a small number of master patterns ("blocks") that repeat across the pillars. Once you've fitted into one block, sister pieces in the same block will fit identically. This guide tells you which pieces share a block, how to measure for them, and how our sizing compares to brands you may already wear.

How we size

Northform pieces are drafted on body measurements, not on garment measurements. The result: a Northform M corresponds to a US 6, a Northform 28 corresponds to a US 27 (off by a hair, intentional, see below).

If you already own a piece from Everlane or COS that fits you, you'll fit the same Northform size 80 percent of the time. The 20 percent of the time you don't, it's because our pattern is more curved through the waist (true of Bottoms and Dresses) or more eased through the shoulder (true of Tops & Shirting).

The block reference

We name our patterns. The names appear on every PDP under "Fit". Pieces that share a block fit identically.

Block	Used by
block-001-crew	The Mid-Weight Crew, Light-Weight Crew, Heavy-Weight Crew, Long-Sleeve Crew
block-001-vneck / scoop / henley	V-Neck, Scoop, Henley (same body, different necklines)
block-001-crew-extended	The T-Shirt Dress
block-002-knit-crew	Wool Crew Sweater, Cashmere Crew Sweater, Cotton-Linen Crew
block-002-knit-cardigan / turtleneck / polo	Cardigan, Turtleneck, Knit Polo (sister silhouettes)
block-003-dropped-shoulder	Oxford Button-Down, Poplin Button-Down, Silk Blouse, Linen Popover, Shirt Dress
block-004-curved-waistband	Straight-Leg Trouser, Wide-Leg Trouser, Cropped Trouser, both Jeans, Tailored Trouser Straight, Tailored Trouser Wide
block-005-sb-blazer / db-blazer	The two blazers
block-006-drawstring-pant	The Knit Pant
block-007-trench	The Trench
block-008-wool-coat	The Wool Coat
block-009-quilted-vest	The Quilted Vest
block-010-bias-slip	The Slip Dress
block-011-knit-midi	The Knit Midi
block-012-sweater-dress	The Sweater Dress

If you fit beautifully into our Mid-Weight Crew, the v-neck and scoop in the same size will fit beautifully too. If the Straight-Leg Trouser fits, the Tailored Trouser Straight in the same size and color will fit identically (we share the block).

Measure yourself

You'll need a soft tape measure. The accurate way to take these measurements is to wear a thin tee and not suck anything in.

• Bust: around the fullest part, tape parallel to the floor
• Waist: the narrowest part of your torso, usually 2 inches above your belly button
• Hip: around the fullest part of your hips, tape parallel to the floor
• Inseam (for pants): from the very top inside of your thigh to where you want the hem to fall

Write the numbers down. You'll use them every time you order.

Size charts

Tops, Knits, Tops & Shirting, Outerwear, Dresses, T-Shirt Dress

Size	Bust (in)	Waist (in)	Hip (in)
XS	32 – 33	24 – 25	34 – 35
S	34 – 35	26 – 27	36 – 37
M	36 – 37	28 – 29	38 – 39
L	38 – 40	30 – 32	40 – 42
XL	41 – 43	33 – 35	43 – 45

Bottoms (Trousers, Jeans, Tailored Trousers)

Northform Bottoms run in even-numbered waist sizes. Pick the size whose waist measurement matches yours. If you're between two, size down for a snug fit (our wool blends have stretch recovery) or up for a roomy one.

Size	Waist (in)	Hip (in)
24	25	35
26	27	37
28	29	39
30	31	41
32	33	43
34	35	45

Tailoring (Blazers only)

Size	Bust (in)	Waist (in)	Hip (in)
0	32	24	34
2	33	25	35
4	34	26	36
6	36	28	38
8	38	30	40
10	40	32	42
12	42	34	44

Belt

Size	Fits waist (in)
S	24 – 30
M	30 – 34
L	34 – 40

How to choose between weights (Tee Program, Knits)

The Tee Program comes in three weights. The Knits pillar has light (cotton-linen) and mid (everything else) tiers.

• Light (160 GSM tees, cotton-linen knits): wears looser, breathes more, summer-leaning
• Mid (220 GSM tees, worsted wool / cashmere knits): year-round, our most-bought tier, drapes cleanly
• Heavy (280 GSM tees only): wears closer to the body, the right tee under a sweater in February

We default to mid. If you only buy one, buy mid.

Tailoring is meant to be tailored

Our Tailored Trousers ship at a 34-inch inseam with side-tape hems, designed for your local tailor to set. The blazer is cut with a soft shoulder so it sits on most shoulders without alteration, but the body can be brought in cleanly at the waist if you want a closer fit.

We recommend a $40 hem from a neighborhood tailor for the trousers; it's the difference between a piece that looks rented and a piece that looks like yours.

Still unsure?

Email fit@northform.studio with your measurements and what you want to buy. A real human (not a chatbot, though that's coming) will write back with a recommendation within 24 hours.