Size Guide
Size Guide
For Habesha Kemis & Ethiopian Dresses
Every dress we sell at EthGebya is handmade in Ethiopia — sewn by skilled artisans who learned their craft the same way their mothers did, stitch by stitch. These are not factory clothes cut to a generic mold. A habesha kemis is meant to sit just right on your shoulders, fall gracefully to the floor, and move with you. That only happens when we know your body.
I get asked all the time, "I'm usually a medium — is that enough?" And my honest answer is: for a dress like this, no. A "medium" in an American mall means something completely different from what our tailors in Addis will cut. The size chart below gives you a general starting point, but please — send us your actual measurements. That is how we make sure your kemis fits the way it should.
Below I'll walk you through exactly what to measure, and how.
How to Take Your Measurements
Use a soft measuring tape — the kind used for sewing, not a metal builder's tape. Wear thin, fitted clothing or measure over your undergarments. Stand straight, breathe normally, and don't pull the tape too tight. Ask a friend to help if you can; it is much easier and more accurate that way.
1. Bust — ደረት ዙሪያ
Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest — usually across the nipple line. Keep the tape parallel to the floor all the way around. Don't hold your breath. This is the measurement our tailors rely on most for the bodice.
2. Waist — ወገብ ዙሪያ
Find the narrowest part of your torso — typically about an inch above your belly button. Measure around that point. If you are not sure where your natural waist is, bend to one side: the crease that forms is your waist.
3. Hips — ወገብ ታች ዙሪያ
Stand with your feet together. Measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat — usually about 7 to 9 inches below your natural waist. Keep the tape level and relaxed. This measurement shapes the lower body of the kemis.
4. Shoulder Width — ትከሻ ስፋት
Measure straight across your back, from the edge of one shoulder to the other — across the shoulder blades, not across the chest. This is especially important for our kemis styles that have a structured neckline or collar.
5. Height — ቁመት
Stand barefoot against a flat wall and measure from the floor to the top of your head. Our dresses are cut floor-length by default. If you are shorter or taller than average, please tell us — the length matters as much as the width.
6. Sleeve Length — እጅጌ ርዝመት
Bend your elbow slightly. Measure from the top of your shoulder (where your shoulder seam would sit) down to your wrist bone. This only applies to styles with long or three-quarter sleeves — for short-sleeve kemis, we use a standard cut unless you tell us otherwise.
Size Chart
This chart is a general guide only. Because our dresses are handmade and can be tailored to your exact measurements, we strongly encourage you to send your measurements directly rather than ordering by size alone. If your measurements fall between two sizes, we will always cut for the larger and take in as needed.
Measurements in Inches
| Size | Bust (in) | Waist (in) | Hips (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 32–33 | 24–25 | 34–35 |
| S | 34–35 | 26–27 | 36–37 |
| M | 36–37 | 28–29 | 38–39 |
| L | 38–40 | 30–32 | 40–42 |
| XL | 41–43 | 33–35 | 43–45 |
| 2XL | 44–46 | 36–38 | 46–48 |
| 3XL | 47–50 | 39–42 | 49–52 |
Measurements in Centimeters
| Size | Bust (cm) | Waist (cm) | Hips (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 81–84 | 61–64 | 86–89 |
| S | 86–89 | 66–69 | 91–94 |
| M | 91–94 | 71–74 | 97–99 |
| L | 97–102 | 76–81 | 102–107 |
| XL | 104–109 | 84–89 | 109–114 |
| 2XL | 112–117 | 91–97 | 117–122 |
| 3XL | 119–127 | 99–107 | 124–132 |
Send Us Your Measurements — Don't Guess
Our tailors don't work from a size label — they work from numbers. When you order, please take five minutes to measure yourself and submit those measurements through our Personalization page. You'll find fields for your ደረት ዙሪያ, ወገብ ዙሪያ, ቁመት, and everything else our team needs to make your dress right.
I know it feels like extra steps. But I've seen what happens when a kemis comes out a size too big — the embroidery panels don't line up the way they should, the neckline gaps, and the whole silhouette is lost. These dresses deserve to be worn properly.
If you are ordering for someone else — a gift, a wedding party, a family set — ask the person to measure themselves and send you the numbers. A guess is never the right answer with handmade clothing.
Plus Sizes & Fully Custom Sizing
We make dresses for every body. Our size chart goes up to 3XL, but that is not where we stop. If your measurements fall outside the chart, that is completely fine. We do fully custom sizing at no extra charge, because a handmade dress should fit the woman wearing it, not the other way around.
For plus-size orders, providing all six measurements is especially important — bust, waist, hips, shoulder width, height, and sleeve length. Our tailors appreciate the detail. The more we know, the more beautiful the result.
How to Submit Your Measurements
Head over to our Personalization page and fill in your measurements before or at the time you place your order. You can also add a note in the order's special instructions field. Either way works — what matters is that we have your numbers before our team starts cutting fabric.
Enter My MeasurementsNot Sure? Ask Us — We're Here
If you are unsure how to measure, or you've measured and still aren't confident which size to choose, please reach out. We would much rather answer your questions before the order than deal with a poor fit after. You can contact us directly through the store or send a message — we will walk you through it, እርስዎ ብቻ ይሁኑ ይጠይቁ.
A kemis that fits perfectly is one you'll wear for years. That is what we care about.