A Size Chart Template for Nigerian Men's Native Wear

A useful size chart template for Nigerian men's native wear has four parts: chest and stomach for the top, a top length linked to height, waist and length for the trousers, and head size for the cap. Build it from your own patterns, and add fit notes for each style, because a kaftan, a senator and an agbada fit very differently.

Below is a template you can copy for kaftans, senator suits and agbada sets, with a method to fill it. It belongs to our wider guide on sizing and try-on for African fashion brands.

Why do men's native wear charts need a stomach column?

Most Western men's charts list chest and waist. For native wear, that misses the measurement that causes the most complaints: the stomach.

A senator top or kaftan hangs straight from the chest. If a man's stomach is larger than his chest, the top pulls across the front, even when the chest fits. Listing stomach as its own column lets shoppers choose the right size first time.

What does the template look like for tops?

Here is a template for kaftan and senator tops. The numbers are an example to show the format only; replace them with your own pattern measurements.

Size	Chest (in)	Stomach (in)	Top length (in)	Best for height	Sleeve (in)
S	36 to 38	32 to 35	38	5 ft 5 to 5 ft 8	23
M	39 to 41	36 to 39	39	5 ft 7 to 5 ft 10	24
L	42 to 44	40 to 43	40	5 ft 9 to 6 ft 0	25
XL	45 to 47	44 to 47	41	5 ft 10 to 6 ft 1	25
2XL	48 to 50	48 to 51	42	5 ft 11 to 6 ft 2	26
3XL	51 to 54	52 to 55	43	6 ft 0 to 6 ft 3	26

Example chart only. Check your brand's own patterns before publishing.

Many Nigerian tailors and shoppers work in inches, so inches come first here. Add a centimeter version for diaspora shoppers if you can.

What does the template look like for trousers and caps?

Trousers (sokoto) and caps need their own tables.

Size	Waist (in)	Hip (in)	Thigh (in)	Trouser length (in)
S	28 to 30	36 to 38	22	39
M	31 to 33	39 to 41	23	40
L	34 to 36	42 to 44	24	41
XL	37 to 39	45 to 47	25	42
2XL	40 to 43	48 to 50	26	42

Example chart only. Check your brand's own patterns.

For caps, list head circumference by size, measured just above the eyebrows and ears.

How do you adapt the chart for kaftan, senator and agbada?

Use the same base chart, then add a fit note and any extra measurements for each style.

• Kaftan. Relaxed cut. Note how much room there is beyond the chest, and the length.
• Senator. Tailored cut. Advise sizing up for a fuller stomach, and note the trouser taper.
• Agbada. Add robe length and arm span for the outer robe. Many brands sell agbada made-to-order instead.

Agbada orders from abroad need extra care. Our guide to agbada measurements for diaspora customers covers remote measuring and timelines.

How do you fill the template from your own patterns?

1. Measure your fit model. Chest, stomach, waist, hip, height and sleeve, all on the body.
2. Measure the finished sample. Lay it flat and note how much ease each size has.
3. Grade each size. Use your pattern cutter's grading steps for chest, stomach and length.
4. Fit the end sizes. Try the smallest and largest sizes on real men before you publish.
5. Link length to height. Give a "best for height" range so tall and short men know what to expect.

Pair this with a women's chart if you sell couples' sets. Our women's ready-to-wear size chart template follows the same method.

What should you do when customers say sizes run small?

If many men say your sizes run small, the problem is usually the chart, not the customer. Check whether your stomach column is missing or too tight, and whether your ease matches your fit notes. Our guide to fixing the "sizes run small" complaint walks through how to find the cause.

How can men use your chart without a tape measure?

Many men don't know their chest or stomach size. A body scan can do the measuring for them.

ZeDaq.ai lets you enter your chart in Dashboard → Size charts, one chart per garment type. The shopper uploads one photo and types his height, and a 30-second scan recommends one of your own sizes. It sizes up to the largest relevant measurement, so a man whose stomach is larger than his chest gets the size that fits his stomach. Our guide to size recommendation for menswear explains more.

FAQs

Which measurement matters most for men's native tops?

Chest and stomach together. Choose the size that fits the larger of the two.

Should I use inches or centimeters?

Use inches if your local customers and tailors do, and add centimeters for diaspora shoppers.

Do agbada sets need a separate chart?

Yes, add robe length and arm span for the outer robe. Many brands keep agbada made-to-order.

How do I measure head size for a fila?

Wrap the tape around the head just above the eyebrows and ears. List the result by cap size.