Why sizing mistakes happen on Kakobuy (and how to stop them)
If you use Kakobuy Spreadsheet lists, you already know the game: great finds, great prices, and one massive risk, sizing. Most bad orders are not because the seller is evil. They happen because buyers read Chinese charts like they are US/EU charts. They are not.
Here’s the thing: if you rely on “I wear M usually,” you will lose money. Chinese sellers often size by garment measurements, not body measurements, and the chart can vary even inside the same store. I learned this the expensive way with two “same size” hoodies that fit like different planets.
Step 1: Understand what kind of measurement chart you’re looking at
Body chart vs garment chart
Most listings use garment measurements (the item laid flat and measured). That means you need to compare those numbers with a piece you already own, not your raw body tape alone.
Body chart: tells you what body size the brand recommends.
Garment chart: gives actual clothing dimensions (more common on CN platforms).
衣长 = length
胸围 = chest
肩宽 = shoulder width
袖长 = sleeve length
腰围 = waist
臀围 = hips
裤长 = pants length / outseam
前裆 = front rise
后裆 = back rise
大腿围 = thigh circumference
裤脚 = leg opening
建议身高 = suggested height
建议体重 = suggested weight
内长 (shoes) = insole/internal length
Lay garment flat on a hard surface.
Smooth wrinkles, don’t stretch.
Measure chest/pit-to-pit, shoulder seam-to-seam, full length, sleeve.
For pants: waist laid flat (double it for circumference), rise, thigh, inseam, outseam, hem.
Write every number in cm.
If fit is loose/oversized, 1-3 cm is usually fine.
If fit is slim/tailored, build in safety margin.
For pants, prioritize waist + thigh before length.
For hoodies/jackets, prioritize chest + shoulder before length.
“Is this chart garment measurement or body recommendation?”
“Please confirm size L chest/shoulder/length in cm.”
“Is there 1-3 cm tolerance for this batch?”
“Can you send a real measurement photo with tape?”
Column A: Item link/name
Column B: Seller chart measurements (cm)
Column C: Your reference garment measurements
Column D: Difference (+/- cm)
Column E: Risk note (low/medium/high)
Column F: Final size decision + why
Chart is in cm and type is confirmed (garment vs body)
Chinese terms translated correctly
Compared against your measured reference piece
Added 1-3 cm tolerance buffer
Weight/height only used as secondary signal
Seller confirmed key measurements if chart looked messy
If the chart doesn’t clearly say which one it is, assume garment measurements and ask the seller to confirm.
Always check the unit first
Nearly always it’s cm. If you see mm for shoes, that’s normal too. Never convert in your head when tired. Use a calculator and write results directly in your spreadsheet notes.
Step 2: Learn the core Chinese size terms once
These show up constantly. Save this list in your Kakobuy Spreadsheet tab.
Important: suggested height/weight is a rough guess, not a fit guarantee. Use it only as a tie-breaker.
Step 3: Measure your reference items, not your ego
Take 10 minutes and measure pieces you already love the fit of. This is your real baseline.
How to do it correctly
I keep a note called “golden fit” with 3 tops, 2 pants, 1 outerwear reference. It saves me from impulse sizing.
Step 4: Account for measurement tolerance (this part matters)
Many Chinese listings include a tolerance note like “误差1-3cm” (1–3 cm error). Believe it. That difference is enough to make slim pants unwearable or sleeves annoyingly short.
No-nonsense rule: if a key measurement is already borderline, skip it or size up.
Step 5: Decode common chart traps
Trap 1: Half measurements
Some charts list flat width (e.g., chest width 56 cm), not circumference. Double-check labels and product photos so you don’t compare wrong formats.
Trap 2: Weight in 斤 (jin)
Some sellers use 斤 instead of kg. 1 斤 = 0.5 kg. So 120 斤 = 60 kg.
Trap 3: One-size claims
“One size fits all” usually means “fits a narrow range.” Treat one-size items like fixed measurements and compare to your reference pieces.
Trap 4: Shoe size confusion
Use foot length in mm/cm and compare with internal length (内长). EU/US conversion labels are often inconsistent across sellers. Foot length beats conversion tables every time.
Step 6: Use seller communication like a pro
If the chart is unclear, ask direct, short questions. Don’t send essays.
Good sellers reply clearly. Vague reply = elevated risk. In spreadsheet buying, uncertainty compounds fast when you order multiple items.
Step 7: Build a simple sizing workflow in your spreadsheet
This is the practical system that keeps mistakes low.
Once you do this for 10 orders, sizing stops feeling random. You’ll still miss sometimes, but way less.
Fast checklist before you submit any Kakobuy size
Final practical recommendation: make your next order a “measurement-first” test run with 2-3 items, not a giant haul. Track results, then scale up. That one habit will save you more money than any discount code.