Black high collar jacket made from a vintage kimono with a grey bird panel

Kimono sizes: how our upcycled kimono pieces fit

"Which size am I?" is the question I get most often about the kimono pieces, and the honest answer is: it depends on the piece. Every jacket, hoodie, skirt and pair of pants is cut from one vintage kimono, so sizing works a little differently here than in a regular shop. This guide explains how.

Why sizes are different here

When I take a kimono apart, I get a fixed amount of cloth, and the pattern has to be placed so that the cranes, pines or flowers end up where they look best. That means two hoodies of the "same" size can differ by a few centimetres, simply because the fabric allowed it.

So instead of trusting a letter, I list the real measurements of every single piece on its product page. They are measured flat, so a chest measurement of 114 cm means the piece is 57 cm across when it lies on a table. Allow about ±2 cm, because fabric moves and hands measure. Below you'll find what the sizes typically mean for each type, so you know where to start looking in the upcycled kimono collection.

Tops: ponchos, jackets, hoodies and blazers

Ponchos

The hooded ponchos come in size 1 and size 2, and the only difference is the length. Size 1 is a shorter, more cropped version; size 2 is the normal length. The width is the same on both, 152.5 cm, and the side strings let you pull it in or wear it loose, so both sizes fit a wide range of bodies. As an example, size 1 measures 54.5 cm in front length and 58.5 cm in back length. Choose by how long you want the poncho to fall, not by your usual dress size.

Red hooded poncho made from a komon kimono with a small all-over pattern
A hooded poncho from a red komon kimono. The side strings let you pull it in or let it fall loose.

High collar jackets

Also size 1 and size 2. The jackets have a stand-up collar, wide sleeves gathered at the cuff and a drawcord hem, so they are forgiving. An example from size 2: chest 142 cm, centre back to wrist 89 cm, length 68.5 cm. Size 1 is noticeably slimmer across the chest, so check the number on the product page rather than guessing.

Hoodies

Each hoodie exists in exactly one size, and that size depends on the cut:

  • Zip hoodie and regular fit: roughly S–L, bust up to 114 cm.
  • Cropped: roughly XS–M, bust up to 111 cm.
  • Oversized: roughly XL and up, bust up to 140 cm.

If you want a hoodie that swallows you a bit, the oversized cut does that on a smaller frame too.

Blazers

Blazers come in 1T and 2T. 1T is the smaller cut with a bust up to 109 cm, 2T goes up to 134 cm. A blazer sits closer to the body than a hoodie, so if you're near the upper end of a range, I'd take the larger one.

Pants, skirts and dresses

Pants

The palazzo pants are high-waisted with a 7.5 cm waistband and an elastic back, which gives them a bit of stretch. They run from XS to XL and are sorted by waist range, for example S 63–71 cm, M 66–73 cm and XL 78–86 cm. Each size also comes in Petite or Tall length. The wide leg pants follow a similar logic, and the hakama pants have a tie waist, so they adjust on their own.

Skirts

The wrap skirt is the most flexible piece I make. It adjusts over a wide range: size 1 Tall covers a waist of 63–83 cm, size 2 a waist of 86–109 cm. The high slit skirts come in M to 2XL Tall, with the waist rising from 66 to 86 cm across the sizes.

Wrap skirt made from a kimono with pine and maple pattern
Wrap skirt with pine and maple. One skirt, twenty centimetres of waist range.

Dresses

For the halter, empire and kimono dresses I list bust and length on every product page. A sash is included, so you can shape the waist yourself. Several dresses are petite.

The letter codes

You'll see short codes in product titles. They mean:

  • B or Petite: the shorter length of a cut.
  • A or Tall: the longer length.
  • 1T: the smaller of the two blazer cuts, 2T the larger.

How to measure yourself

Take a soft measuring tape and measure three things over light clothing: chest at the fullest point, waist at the narrowest point, and hips at the widest. Then compare with the flat measurements on the product page. Remember that flat measurements have no ease built in. For a jacket or hoodie you'll want a few centimetres more than your body, for a close fit around 4–6 cm, for a relaxed fit 10 cm or more. For pants and skirts, your waist should sit inside the stated range.

Still unsure?

Write to me at hello@leverras.art with your measurements and the piece you're looking at, and I'll tell you honestly whether it will work. If the piece is a gift and you don't know the person's size, a gift card is the safer choice; one-of-a-kind pieces are gone once they sell, so the recipient can pick the one they love. And if it doesn't fit after all, you have 14 days to return it; you pay for the return shipping, I refund the piece.

Questions people ask

Do the pieces run small or large?

Neither. They run exactly as the measurements say. Ponchos, hoodies and jackets are roomy by design.

Can you alter a piece for me?

Not for a specific order, as each piece is already cut and finished. The adjustable details (drawcords, ties, elastic, wrap) do a lot of the work, though.

Is the same piece available in another size?

No. Each piece comes from one kimono, so there is exactly one of it. Similar fabrics do turn up in other cuts, so it's worth checking the kimono types you like and browsing by type.

The measurements are there so you can shop with confidence. When in doubt, measure once and write to me.

Art you don't hang – art you wear.

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