We’re SO excited to share our latest feature: Search Items by Measurements for the 20K+ items available on LS is now live for our Sustainers! 🙌

At first glance, it might seem like just another filter... but trust us, it’s so much bigger than that. This is about changing how we find clothes that actually fit — without relying on confusing, inconsistent sizing labels that were never designed with real bodies in mind. We have been scheming and dreaming about creating this feature for YEARS as a love letter to the infinite shapes we take as humans. 

This feature is our way of saying:

Why Clothing Sizes (Literally) Don’t Mean Anything

Here’s a positively wild stat: garments labeled the same size can vary in actual measurements by 2–4” – even within the same brand. According to fashion pattern expert Kathleen Fasanella, “the actual measurement of garments tagged the same size can differ up to four inches, and still be considered the same size by the brand” (Vox).

Some studies even show differences as high as 20% in measurements between so-called identical items. This was confirmed by pattern graders interviewed in The Guardian, who described common discrepancies in mass-produced garments, often due to inconsistent grading rules and overseas manufacturing tolerances.

Even brand size charts can’t be trusted – they’re often static templates that don’t reflect how a specific item was actually made or cut. Just because a size chart says a “M” equals a 28" waist doesn’t mean that item will measure 28". The chart is just a rough guideline, not a guarantee.

And then there’s the completely tone deaf “One Size Fits Most”and “One Size Fits All” labels. For many folks in the plus size community that's not just inaccurate, it’s offensive. Bodies aren’t identical. That label often means “fits straight-size folks if it’s stretchy” – but for the majority of people, it just doesn’t fit at all.

Bottom line: there’s no universal definition of S/M/L or 10/12/14. Each brand sets its own standards. And there are no regulations requiring consistency (LA Times). It’s no wonder finding something that fits feels like such a gamble.

When the System Fails, We Build our Own Fit Galaxy

This isn’t just a sizing issue — it’s a full-on rebellion against how we’ve been told to shop for clothes and think about our size.

More than half of all online clothing returns happen because of poor fit (British Fashion Council). That’s millions of garments going back into circulation — or more likely into landfills — just because the size on the tag didn’t match the body trying to wear it.

Meanwhile, the average U.S. woman wears a size 16–18, which actually aligns more closely with a plus 20W in traditional sizing (Christel & Dunn). But so many brands still stop production at size 12 or 14, which means that the majority of folks are being left out before they even start browsing.

And it’s not just frustrating — it’s personal. When something doesn’t fit, we tend to blame ourselves. But the truth is: your body is not the problem. The out of touch size system is.

At Lucky Sweater, we’ve heard time and again from our community:

“I didn’t realize how good it could feel to wear clothes that actually fit me.”
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“Trading helped me stop obsessing over labels and just try things that felt fun again.”

We believe that getting dressed should feel joyful. Experimenting with your style should be exciting — not a guessing game that leads to disappointment and internalized body-shaming. And finding something that fits shouldn’t feel rare or surprising. It should feel normal.

Introducing: Search by Measurements

Now, you can search Lucky Sweater’s 20k+ items by actual garment measurements — not whatever made-up size the tag claims.

So if you know a 22” flat waist fits you just right, or that you like a top with a 20” pit-to-pit, you can set those filters and only see items that match. No more guessing. No more disappointment when something labeled “XL” fits like a “M.”

This feature is only possible because you — the LS community — care enough to do things differently. Every item listed with Filter by Measurements includes at least three real measurements, intentionally added by members who want their fave closet items to find loving new homes.

It’s a small shift with a big impact:
✨ Less guesswork.
✨ More great fits.
✨ Way more confidence in every swap.

We built this with you, for you. Because we believe in a future where sizing is based on real bodies, real clothes, and real fit euphoria — not made up labels.

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📢 Measurements are a Two Way Street

Even if you don’t have access to the new filter yet while we’re testing it with our Sustainers, this feature benefits everyone on LS.

More accurate measurements = more discoverable listings = more trades.
That means your older or overlooked closet gems are now more likely to be found – and swapped!

So what can you do right now to get your closet ready?

• ✅ Add (or double-check) measurements on your items
• ✅ Re-measure anything you’re relisting, especially if it’s been washed or dried
  
  

This feature only works if the data is solid – and that starts with all of us putting in the work.

Think of measurements like keywords: the better they are, the more likely your item finds its next home. 💫

How to Take Your Measurements (and Make Them Your Superpower)

We know – picking up a measuring tape can feel weird. Vulnerable, even. 

For so many of us, numbers tied to our bodies have been used as tools for shame. Too big. Too small. Too different from what it used to be. Society (and brands) have trained us to see these numbers as a verdict on your worth. But they’re not.

At Lucky Sweater, we believe knowing your measurements is powerful because they unlock your perfect  fit. They’re not something to fear, fix, or compare. They’re just information – your own personalized code to clothes that actually work for your body.

So take a breath with us. Use this moment as a small act of self-care – an honest, empowering check-in with yourself today, no matter how your body has changed or will continue to change. 

Whether you’re feeling hesitant, terrified, or somewhere in between, know this: taking your measurements isn’t a judgment. It’s a power move.

Whether you start by measuring your favorite clothes (an easy, low-stress entry point) or decide to take your own body measurements, both paths lead to better trades, more confident fits, and a deeper connection with what feels good on you.

Let’s get into it — step by step, and at your pace.

➡️ Measure the Clothes You Love

One of the easiest and most low-pressure ways to get started is by measuring clothes that you already love. Lay them flat, grab a soft measuring tape (or even a piece of string and a ruler!), and note the dimensions that make those items feel just right. That’s your north star when searching for great trades.

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✨ Pro tip: LS Community star @mebejules has graced us with their Quick Fit Guide 😍a perfect introduction to getting comfy with finding your measurements. For many folks, Lucky Sweater is the first place they’ve learned about their ideal measurements, and we are SO HONORED to help guide you towards fit euphoria. 

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➡️ Measure Yourself!

Once you’ve tried measuring your favorite pieces, you might feel ready to take the next step: measuring your own body.

We know this can bring up a lot. For many of us, these numbers have been used to judge, compare, or define our worth. But here, they’re just data — neutral, powerful, yours. This is about understanding your body with clarity and care so you can find what actually fits and feels good on you.

Think of it less like taking your measurements, and more like unlocking your fit blueprint.

Here’s how to do it:

• Bust/Chest: Measure around the fullest part of your chest. Keep the tape snug but not tight.
• Flat Waist: Wrap the tape around your natural waist (where you naturally bend).
• Hips: Measure around the widest part of your hips and booty.
• Inseam: Measure from the crotch down the inside of your leg to the ankle.

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✨ Pro tip: Save these numbers in your Lucky Sweater profile to remember your best fit across trades. It’s the easiest way to keep your measurements handy – and someday soon, we’ll use this info to help match you with items that fit just right.

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How to Filter by Measurements on Lucky Sweater

Now that you’ve got your measurements — or the measurements of your favorite pieces — it’s time to put them to work. Our new filters let you search for items that actually fit, based on real dimensions, not confusing size tags.

Here’s how to try it out:

1. Start on the “Items” tab.
2. Look for the “Measurements” filter.
3. Select your best fit range — like a 16"–18" flat waist or 29" inseam.
4. Boom. You’ll only see items that match your body or your favorite fits—no guesswork required.
5. Save YOUR measurements as a quick filter
   
   

💡Pro Tip:
Not everything fits the same way — fabrics stretch, silhouettes shift. That’s why many folks save multiple quick filters based on how they like specific types of clothes to feel.

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Try saving a few presets like:

• “Flowy Dresses” → 20"–24" flat bust, 36"+ total length, 25"+ bottom sweep for movement
• “High-Rise Pants” → 14"–15" front rise, 28"–30" flat waist
• “Cozy Sweaters” → 22"+ pit-to-pit for an oversized fit
  
  

And don’t forget: you can also save your body measurements in your Lucky Sweater profile. That way, you’ve always got them handy – and someday soon, we’ll use them to suggest trades that match your unique fit automatically. 🤯💫

🎁 Want to try it out?

If you’re a new user, sign up with invite code SUSTAINER to unlock a free 1-week trial of Sustainer membership. That gives you access to Search by Measurements — and a bunch of other features designed to make secondhand trading and shopping more joyful and stress-free.

This is just the beginning. We believe everyone deserves to feel confident finding clothes that fit their actual body, not a made-up number. Let’s trade and shop smarter, waste less, and love what we wear again 💕