Who hasn’t experienced this? You order something comfortably online, only to be disappointed at home when the clothes don’t fit again!

Dear Reader,

It happens to me all the time! But it’s not because I don’t know what size I need. Every manufacturer determines their own sizing, and Italian sizes are notoriously one size smaller than ours. With nylons, however, this is particularly annoying because they are barely or not at all elastic. If they are too small, you can’t pull them up your leg and they get stuck at the calf or thigh like an insurmountable obstacle. If they are too big, they create unsightly wrinkles and sag on the leg. But what to do when sizes seem to be an unparalleled mess? Well, there’s only one thing left to do: read the manufacturer’s specifications carefully and take your measurements as precisely as possible. Are you wondering how now? I asked myself the same question and did a lot of research and experimenting…

As aids, you should have an elastic tape measure and a spirit level ready, and ask a helper to assist you. Always hold the tape measure taut and vertical from the floor, and if in doubt, use the spirit level to hold it at the exact point from your body to the tape measure, so that both form a right angle. Logically, you should also measure directly on the skin or over thin underwear, and of course, without shoes. Now you can start; I have briefly compiled the most important points for you here:

Body height: from crown to floor

Inseam length: from crotch to floor

Waist: narrowest point, usually just above the navel

Belly circumference: approx. 8 cm below the waist circumference

Hip circumference: widest point around the buttocks

Leg length: from waist to floor

Shoe size: the size you wear most often

Once you have noted all your measurements, it’s time to consult the manufacturers’ charts. The first and most important measurement to consider is your shoe size, followed by leg length. If in doubt, choose the larger size. If you have thicker thighs or calves, also go up one size. There’s no point in deluding yourself; in the end, it only leads to unnecessary frustration over your own vanity!

And here’s my experience:

For example, I am relatively short at 160 cm, shoe size 38.5, and have athletic, rather sturdy legs with an inseam length of 73 cm. Now I had to choose from the following table:

I ordered the RHT Seamless Nylons in size S (up to 162 cm) and have to say that although they fit on the leg and don’t crease, they are very short. The heel just about fit, but the world actually ends in the middle of my thigh, which is not really the point. The stocking should reach just below the buttocks.

However, since I don’t currently plan to wear the nylons with a mini skirt, it’s not a problem. From my own experience, I can now also confirm that pulling and tugging is indeed useless with pure nylons! For the next RHT from Vicky’s Nylons, I know it will be size M.

With Cervin or Gio, renowned manufacturers of classic nylons, for example, measurements are taken quite differently.

For the Gold Edition, according to my measurements and the size chart, I would have to order a 9, but based on my experience, I would probably opt for a 9.5.

The new Oh La La Pur Nylon also have a different size chart, as they are made especially for Vicky’s nylons. With my measurements, I opt for a 2. You can find the table here:

As soon as I have one, I will tell you how it fits.

What experiences have you had?

I look forward to writing to you again in two weeks!

Your Julia