Pakistani Clothes Size Guide (UK Sizes to cm)
To find your Pakistani size, measure your bust, waist and hips in centimetres, add about 5–10 cm of ease, and compare the total with the garment measurements listed on the outfit. Pakistani letter sizes (XS–XL) only roughly match UK 6–16 and vary between brands, so the outfit’s own measurements are the reliable guide.
How to measure yourself for Pakistani clothes
Use a soft tape measure, wear thin clothing, and keep the tape level and snug but not tight. Write each number down in centimetres.
- Bust: around the fullest part of your chest, under the arms.
- Waist: around your natural waist, the narrowest part of your torso.
- Hips: around the fullest part of your hips, feet together.
- Shoulder: across your back from one shoulder bone to the other.
- Sleeve: from the shoulder bone down to where you want the sleeve to end.
- Kameez length: from the top of the shoulder (next to the neck) down to where you want the hem: hip, knee or below the knee.
Body measurements vs garment measurements
Every stitched outfit on SairaHub lists garment measurements: the size of the outfit itself, measured flat on the actual piece. They are always larger than the body they fit, because a kameez needs room to move. That extra room is called ease.
As a rule of thumb for a kameez:
- Fitted formal cut: chest about 5–8 cm larger than your bust.
- Everyday straight cut: chest about 8–12 cm larger than your bust.
- Loose or A-line cut: 12 cm or more.
So if your bust is 92 cm and you like a relaxed everyday fit, look for a garment chest of roughly 100–104 cm. Chest is listed as the flat width × 2. Our guide to Pakistani dress types explains which cuts sit close to the body and which are meant to flow.
UK women’s size chart in centimetres
These are typical UK high-street body measurements. Brands differ by a centimetre or two, so treat them as a starting point.
| UK size | Bust (cm) | Waist (cm) | Hips (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 78 | 61 | 86 |
| 8 | 82 | 65 | 90 |
| 10 | 87 | 70 | 95 |
| 12 | 92 | 75 | 100 |
| 14 | 97 | 80 | 105 |
| 16 | 102 | 85 | 110 |
| 18 | 107 | 90 | 115 |
| 20 | 112 | 95 | 120 |
Pakistani letter sizes vs UK sizes
Pakistani ready-to-wear brands mostly use XS to XL, and each brand publishes its own chart. The table below is a rough guide only: always check the garment measurements on the outfit you are buying.
| Pakistani size | Approximate UK size |
|---|---|
| XS | 6–8 |
| S | 8–10 |
| M | 10–12 |
| L | 12–14 |
| XL | 14–16 |
If you are between two sizes, choose the larger one for a straight or fitted kameez; a tailor can take in the side seams easily, but cannot add fabric. If you often fall between sizes, unstitched suits let a tailor cut the outfit to your exact measurements.
Trousers, shalwar and lengths
Three-piece suits come with a matching bottom. How it fits depends on the style:
- Shalwar: loose and gathered at the ankle; the waist is elasticated or drawstring, so length matters more than waist size.
- Straight trousers and cigarette pants: check the listed trouser length and hip measurement.
- Culottes and palazzos: wide-legged and cropped or full length; check the length against your inside leg plus the height of your shoes.
Petite or tall? Kameez length is the measurement to watch. Pakistani kameez lengths commonly fall somewhere between about 90 and 120 cm, so compare the listed length with your own shoulder-to-hem measurement.
Get a free size check
If you are unsure, email contact@sairahub.com with your bust, waist, hip and height measurements and a link to the outfit. We will compare them with the garment and tell you honestly whether it will fit before we dispatch it. You can also browse ready-to-wear outfits, which all list their measurements.
Pakistani size questions
Do Pakistani clothes run small compared with UK sizes?
Often, yes. Many Pakistani brands cut their letter sizes slightly smaller than UK high-street sizes, and fitted formal cuts leave less ease. Compare the garment chest measurement with your bust plus ease rather than relying on the letter size.
What size is a Pakistani medium in UK sizes?
A Pakistani medium is usually close to a UK 10–12, but it depends on the brand and the cut. Check the listed garment chest: for a UK 12 (92 cm bust) a comfortable everyday kameez measures about 100–104 cm across the chest.
Should I size up in Pakistani clothes?
If you are between sizes, yes. A kameez can be taken in at the side seams, but very little can be let out.
How is the chest measurement on a listing taken?
The outfit is laid flat and measured straight across from armpit to armpit; that width is doubled to give the full chest.