How Should a Waistcoat, Blazer and Corset Shirt Fit? A Size Guide, XS to XL

A waistcoat should follow the body and end at your natural waist without pulling across the buttons. A sleeveless blazer should sit on the edge of the shoulder and lie flat when buttoned. A corset shirt should hold in at the waist with its shaping on your natural waistline. To get there, measure your bust, waist and hip in inches, compare them with the size chart, and decide between sizes by what you will wear underneath. Every Laurel Women piece sits in the Laurel Women collection, each with its own size chart.

The Laurel Women size chart, XS to XL

The chart uses body measurements, not garment measurements, in inches. Measure yourself, not a piece you already own.

Size	Bust	Waist	Hip
XS	31 to 33	24 to 26	34 to 36
S	33 to 35	26 to 28	36 to 38
M	35 to 37	28 to 30	38 to 40
L	37 to 39	30 to 32	40 to 42
XL	39 to 41	32 to 34	42 to 44

Always check the chart on the product page before you order. That is the one kept up to date for each piece, alongside its fit and stretch rating.

How to measure yourself at home

Use a soft tape, wear a thin layer or none, and stand relaxed. Keep the tape level and snug, not tight.

• Bust. Around the fullest part of the bust, with the tape straight across the back.
• Waist. Around your natural waist, the narrowest point, usually just above the navel. Bend to one side and the crease that forms is your waist.
• Hip. Around the fullest part of the hips and seat, feet together.

Write all three down. Most people fall into different sizes for different measurements. That is normal, and the next sections cover which one to follow.

How a waistcoat should fit

A waistcoat is the closest-fitting tailored layer, so small differences show.

• Length. The hem meets your natural waist or sits just below it.
• Front. Buttoned, it lies flat. If it pulls into an X across the buttons, it is too small.
• Armholes. Close, without gaping at the side or cutting under the arm.
• Back. A back belt or adjuster draws the waist in. Use it for the last inch of fit, not to rescue a size that is too large.

For a waistcoat, follow your bust and waist measurements. If you plan to wear it over a kurta or a shirt, allow for that layer. Our guide on how to style a waistcoat for women covers what to wear underneath.

How a sleeveless blazer should fit

• Shoulder. The seam sits at the edge of your shoulder bone. Past it, the blazer looks borrowed. Inside it, it pulls.
• Front. A double-breasted front should close without strain and lie flat over the overlap.
• Length. Longer than a waistcoat, usually to the high hip.
• Armholes. Room to reach forward without the front lifting.

For a blazer, follow your bust measurement first. If you will layer a knit underneath, the size up gives it room.

How a corset shirt should fit

• Waist shaping. The seams or panels sit on your natural waist. If they sit above it, the body is too short for you.
• Buttons. No gaping between buttons at the bust.
• Sleeves. The cuff reaches the wrist bone with arms relaxed.

A corset shirt is meant to be close, so follow your waist measurement, then check the bust. If they point to different sizes, take the larger one.

Fit and stretch: what the ratings mean

Each product page shows a fit and stretch bar. The ratings tell you how much margin you have.

• Fitted, no stretch. Close to the body with little give. Shirts and blouses cut to define the waist sit here. Measure carefully.
• Regular, no stretch. Tailored waistcoats and blazers. Room for a thin layer, not a thick one.
• Regular or relaxed, with stretch. Knits. More forgiving between sizes.

What to do when you are between sizes

Choose the size up for a more relaxed fit, or the same size for a tailored fit. Then ask two questions.

1. What goes underneath? A knit, a kurta or a shirt with a collar needs room. Nothing, or a fine blouse, does not.
2. How do you like tailoring to feel? If you prefer to move freely, size up. If you like a sharp line and will mostly wear the piece on its own, stay with your size.

For knits with stretch, your usual size is the safer choice, because the knit gives a little.

Model height and size worn

Our model is 5'7" and wears XS in the Laurel Women photographs. If you are shorter, expect a waistcoat to sit slightly lower on the body, and a blazer to fall a little longer. If you are taller, the opposite.

A few habits that help when buying online

• Measure again if your last measurement is more than a few months old.
• Read the fit and stretch bar and the fabric line before choosing a size.
• Try new tailoring on over the layer you plan to wear with it.
• For anything to do with changing a size after delivery, read our return and exchange policy.

Frequently asked questions

How should a women's waistcoat fit?

It should follow the body without pulling across the buttons, end at or just below the natural waist, and have armholes that neither gape nor cut in. A back adjuster is for the last inch of fit, not for a size that is too large.

How should a sleeveless blazer fit?

The shoulder seam should sit at the edge of the shoulder bone, the front should close flat without strain, and there should be room to reach forward without the front lifting.

What size should I choose if I am between two sizes?

Choose the size up for a more relaxed fit or the same size for a tailored fit. Size up if you plan to wear a knit, a kurta or a collared shirt underneath.

How do I measure my bust, waist and hip at home?

Use a soft tape over a thin layer. Measure the bust at its fullest point, the waist at its narrowest point just above the navel, and the hip at the fullest part of the hips and seat, keeping the tape level each time.

What height is the model and what size does she wear?

Our model is 5 feet 7 inches tall and wears size XS in the Laurel Women photographs.