Most returns in online clothing shopping have nothing to do with quality. They happen because the size was wrong. With handmade khadi the question gets one extra layer: people hear that khadi “shrinks” and either size up too much or avoid it altogether. Both mistakes are easy to fix once you know how the fabric behaves.
This guide covers exactly that: how handspun, handwoven khadi fits compared to mill-made cotton, how to measure yourself (and your kids) in five minutes with a tape and a shirt you already own, what to expect on the first wash, and how to pick sizes for shirts, kurta sets, koti, pants, kids’ co-ords and newborn essentials from the Feel Weaves collection.
How khadi fits differently from regular cotton
- It has no stretch. Khadi is 100% handspun cotton with no elastane or polyester blended in. What you measure is what you get, so measurements matter more than with stretchy fast fashion.
- The cut is relaxed on purpose. Khadi is meant to let air move between fabric and skin. A slightly easy fit is correct, not a sizing error.
- It relaxes as you wear it. The handwoven structure softens and drapes more after a few wears and washes, so a piece that feels crisp on day one settles closer to the body.
- A small first-wash shrink is normal. Because there are no chemical finishes or pre-shrinking resins, a new piece can tighten slightly on its first wash, mostly in length. Washing cold and drying in shade keeps it minimal.
Measure yourself in five minutes
You need a soft measuring tape, or a string and a ruler. Wear a thin layer, stand relaxed, and keep the tape snug but not tight.
- Chest: around the fullest part, under the arms.
- Waist: where you actually wear your trousers, not where a chart assumes you do.
- Hip: around the fullest part of the seat, important for pants and kurtas.
- Length: from the highest point of the shoulder down to where you want the hem to fall.
The shortcut most people should use: take a shirt or trouser that already fits you well, lay it flat, and measure across the chest (or waist) from edge to edge. Double that number and compare it with the garment measurements on the product page’s size chart. Garment measurements beat body measurements because they already include the ease you like.
Shirts: collar, shoulder, then chest
Pick your shirt size by shoulder first. The shoulder seam should sit on the edge of your shoulder bone; everything else can be forgiven, a wrong shoulder cannot. Then check the chest: you want roughly a palm’s width of room when buttoned. If you are between sizes, choose your usual size rather than going up, because khadi’s relaxed cut already builds in comfort. Half-sleeve shirts are more forgiving than full-sleeve ones, since sleeve length is no longer a factor.
Kurta sets: length is the deciding measurement
A kurta can be a size loose and still look right; a kurta that is the wrong length never does. For a classic look the hem should fall around mid-thigh to just above the knee. If you are taller than average, compare the listed length before anything else. For the pyjama or pant in the set, go by your hip measurement rather than waist, since most sets use a drawstring or easy waistband.
Koti: size it over what you will wear underneath
A koti is a layer, so measure over a kurta or shirt, not over a T-shirt. It should button without pulling across the front, and the hem should sit slightly above the kurta hem so both layers show. If you plan to wear it mainly over heavier festive kurtas, this is the one piece where sizing up can make sense.
Pants: waist, seat, then length
Khadi pants are cut loose through the thigh for airflow. Choose by waist, confirm the seat (hip) isn’t tight when you sit, and then look at length. Remember the small first-wash shrink mostly affects length, so if you are on the border, prefer the slightly longer option. The same rule applies to women’s wide-leg pants, where the hip measurement matters most for the drape to fall correctly.
Kids’ co-ord sets: buy for the next six months
Children’s sizes are usually listed by age, but kids rarely match their age exactly. Measure height and chest and compare with the chart. If your child is at the top of an age range, go one size up: they will grow into it, and it absorbs the first-wash shrink. Khadi’s softness means a slightly loose set is still comfortable for play and sleep, with no stiff seams scratching.
Newborn essentials: comfort over precision
Newborns outgrow sizes within weeks, so for babies the priority is softness, breathability and easy dressing rather than a precise fit. Jhablas and swaddles are forgiving by design; caps and booties should be snug enough to stay on but never leave marks. Because baby skin is thin and sensitive, hypoallergenic, chemical-free khadi is worth it even for pieces they will wear for a short time.
First wash: keep shrinkage to a minimum
- Wash cold, by hand or on a gentle cycle, with a mild detergent.
- Skip bleach and hot water; they weaken handspun fibres.
- Dry in shade, and gently pull the garment back into shape while it is damp.
- Iron on medium while slightly damp for a crisp finish.
- Avoid the tumble dryer; heat is the main cause of unwanted shrinkage.
Quick sizing cheat sheet
- Between sizes in shirts or kurtas? Take your usual size; the relaxed cut already gives room.
- Between sizes in pants? Choose by seat, and prefer the longer length.
- Buying a koti for heavy kurtas? Consider one size up.
- Buying for kids? One size up if they are at the top of the age range.
- Buying for a newborn? Prioritise multi-packs and softness over exact size.
Shop by category
Find your fit across the collection: Shirts · Kurta Sets · Koti · Pants · Women’s Wear · Kids Wear · New Born Essentials. Every piece is 100% handmade, hypoallergenic and chemical-free.
Read next: How to Care for Your Khadi Clothes and Khadi Shirts for Men: Office to Weekend Styling.
