Stretch
How much a fabric gives under tension, which lets a garment fit close to the body, or even smaller than it, and still be comfortable.
Stretch is how much a fabric gives when pulled, and comes back. Swim fabrics, jersey and knits with elastane stretch; rigid denim and woven shirting barely do. It changes how much room a garment needs: a stretch garment can be smaller than the body and still fit, which is what holds a swimsuit or a pair of leggings in place. That is called negative ease.
On a size chart
Stretch pieces are cut close on purpose, and their fit notes say so. From Ruban Size's templates:
| Template | Fit scale | Fit note |
|---|---|---|
| Leggings and activewear | Runs slightly small | Compression fit: if you prefer less support, take one size up. |
| Swimwear | Runs slightly small | Swim fabrics are designed to fit close: between two sizes, take the larger one. |
| Women's jeans | Runs slightly small | Stretch-free denim: if you are between two sizes, take the larger one. |
The last row is the other side of it: without stretch, the larger size is the safe one.
In Ruban Size
Each chart's Fit and Find my size tab has a Stretch fabric setting: "A stretch size takes a little more before it is tight." Swimwear, activewear and underwear count as stretch by default, and so do jersey tops (T-shirts, polos, sweatshirts) unless you say otherwise.
On a garment chart, Find my size gives swimwear, activewear and underwear an ease of -2, 0 or 2 cm (snug, regular, loose), then takes a share of the body measurement off: 10% for swimwear, 8% for activewear, 6% for underwear. Jersey tops keep the usual top ease, minus 5%: for a 96 cm chest, a regular T-shirt comes to 96 + 11.6 - 4.8 = 102.8 cm around. On a body chart, a stretch size can take a quarter of a size step past its range before it counts as tight. How much ease clothes need has the full table.
Read more
- Sizing explainedHow much ease clothes need: the numbers by garmentEase is the garment measurement minus the body measurement. A fitted top needs about 8.9 cm (3.5 in) at the chest, a regular one 11.6 cm (4.6 in), a regular coat 18.9 cm (7.4 in). The full table by garment is below.7 min
- Sizing explainedActivewear and compression sizing: tight on purposeActivewear and compression garments are made smaller than the body, so they hold. Size them by the brand's chart, not your usual letter, and follow the fit note: Ruban Size's templates say size up for comfort on leggings and cycling kit, size down for support on sports bras.6 min
- Size conversionSwimsuit sizes: bust, underbust, waist and hipsA swimsuit M fits a bust of 88 to 93 cm, an underbust of 76 to 80, a waist of 70 to 75 and hips of 96 to 101 cm: a US 8 to 10, EU 40 to 42. Swim fabrics fit close, so between two sizes, take the larger one.5 min
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