Oversized sweaters are cut much bigger than your body on purpose. That's what gives them the slouchy, easy look — but it also makes the size chart confusing. A sweater with a 47-inch bust can be a size S. Here's how to read the numbers and pick the right size the first time.
1. Measure yourself first
You only need a soft tape measure and two minutes:
- Bust: measure around the fullest part of your chest, keeping the tape level all the way around. Wear the bra you'd normally wear under a sweater.
- Arm length (optional): from the top of your shoulder to your wrist bone, with your arm relaxed.
Write the numbers down in inches or centimeters. Our size guide has a diagram if you want to double-check.
2. Know the difference between garment and body measurements
Most size charts — including ours — list the garment's measurements: the sweater itself, laid flat and measured all the way around. That's not the same as the body it fits.
A fitted sweater might be only an inch or two bigger than your bust. An oversized one is usually 6–12 inches bigger. So don't compare your bust directly to the garment's bust number — compare it to the "fits bust" range. On every Oatember product page, the size chart shows both: the garment measurements and the body bust each size fits best.
Example: our Slouchy Oversized Crew Neck Sweater measures about 47 in (120 cm) around the bust in size S, but size S fits a body bust of about 32–35 in.
3. Ignore the shoulder number (mostly)
Oversized sweaters usually have dropped shoulders — the shoulder seam sits down on your upper arm instead of on top of your shoulder. That's why the shoulder measurement looks huge (often 23–26 in). It's part of the design, not a sign the sweater will be too big.
What dropped shoulders do change is the sleeve: because part of the "sleeve" is really the shoulder, the listed sleeve length is shorter than on a regular sweater. If you have long arms, check that the sleeve plus the dropped shoulder reaches your wrist.
4. Check the length
Length is measured from the highest point of the shoulder down to the hem. As a rough guide:
- About 20–22 in (51–56 cm): hits around the waist or high hip.
- About 25–28 in (64–71 cm): covers the hip — the classic oversized length.
If you're petite (around 5'3" and under), a hip-length oversized sweater may fall lower on you. That's usually part of the look, but it's a good reason to choose the smaller size if you're in between.
5. When to size down, and when not to
- Take your usual size if you want the relaxed, slouchy look shown in the photos.
- Size down if you're between sizes, if you're petite, or if you want to tuck the sweater into trousers or a skirt.
- Don't size down on fitted knits, like ribbed turtlenecks or cropped cardigans — those run small, and we note it on the product page.
6. Think about what goes underneath and on top
If you'll wear the sweater over a collared shirt, a roomier size layers more easily. If it's going under a fitted coat, the smaller size will be less bulky at the arms.
Still not sure?
Email us at hello@oatember.com with your bust measurement, your height, and the item you're looking at. We'll tell you which size we'd pick and why.