If you’ve never been able to find the perfect sizes at high fashion stores, here’s some good news for you! The government has announced that the country will soon have its own standard sizes and measurements for apparel and shoes. Union Minister of Textiles, Piyush Goyal, revealed that the standardization process has been underway for the past few years and will be implemented very soon.
Goyal highlighted the need for Indian sizes and standards that cater specifically to the body shapes and manufacturing requirements of the country. He added that the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) took up the task of conducting a comprehensive study to bridge this gap. “The work that has gone is commendable – NIFT went to all states; finishing touches remain now; the standards will be implemented soon,” said Goyal.
Currently, the apparel industry in India relies on the British size system or Euro sizes like "small," "medium," and "large" or "Euro 6," "Euro 7," and "Euro 8." However, Indian sizes tend to be different in proportion and measurements than the standard UK or US system due to differences in body shapes and waist sizes.
The NIFT study, which began in 2018, involved taking body measurements of 25,000 people using a 3D body scanner in cities like Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Shillong. The goal was to develop an India Size Chart for ready-to-wear garments. The study's findings will have a significant impact not only on the apparel sector but also on various other industries such as automotive, aerospace, fitness, sport, art, and computer gaming.
In addition to apparel, efforts are being made to establish a standard-size system for shoes. The Bureau of Indian Standards, along with the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRE) in Chennai, has conducted a study involving 1 lakh individuals. A BIS section committee is currently working on formulating the shoe size standards.
This move toward standardised sizes and measurements, more suited for the Indian customer is surely an exciting and much-needed development that will provide better-fitting garments and footwear designed specifically for the Indian population.
While these new standard sizes are yet to be implemented, here are a few brands you can rely on for sizes better suited for the Indian body type or even customisations:
Urban Suburban
Think trendy but perfectly sized- that’s exactly what Urban Suburban’s designs are all about. What’s more? You can also get customisations in terms of neck lengths, outfit lengths and a lot more!
Maikai
Maikai’s 100 per cent cotton sports bras are not only comfortable but also customised as per your measurements. This is a brand you can trust completely when it comes to sportswear tailor-made to your preferences.
Freakins
It’s safe to say finding the right pair of jeans has been an eternal problem for most women. Most international brand sizes fail to get the waist-to-hip proportion right. Solving that is homegrown denim brand Freakins with the perfect sizing when it comes to anything denim!