Selling Custom-Size Clothing on Shopify

To sell custom-size clothing on Shopify, add a "custom size" option to the product, collect the buyer's measurements with the order, confirm them before you cut, and publish clear rules for timing and returns. The key is to catch measurement mistakes before the garment is made.

This guide is for fashion brands that make to order. If you also sell standard sizes, a tool that adds virtual try-on to Shopify can help shoppers choose between them.

What are the ways to take custom measurements on Shopify?

Shopify product pages are built for fixed variants, so you need a plan for measurements. Common approaches are:

• Line item properties or form fields on the product page, where the shopper types in measurements.
• A follow-up message after checkout, with a form or link to fill in measurements.
• A fitting appointment by video call for high-value pieces.
• A body scan that estimates measurements from a photo, which the shopper can then confirm.

Check which method your theme or apps support. Form fields add friction, so ask only for what your pattern needs.

How should you set up the product?

Keep the product page simple.

1. Add a variant such as "Custom size", next to your standard sizes.
2. Use a clear note: "Made to your measurements. Please read our measurement guide."
3. Add a link to a guide with photos or drawings showing how to measure.
4. Set a longer lead time for the custom variant and say so on the page.
5. Add a note in the product description about what cannot be changed once cutting begins.

If you need variants for standard sizes too, the guide to setting up size variants in Shopify for clothing explains how.

Which measurements should you ask for?

Only ask for what you need. Too many fields lead to abandoned carts and more mistakes.

Garment	Common measurements
Tops and shirts	Chest or bust, waist, shoulder, sleeve length, length
Dresses	Bust, waist, hips, shoulder to hem
Trousers and skirts	Waist, hips, inseam or length
Jackets	Chest, shoulder, sleeve, length

This is an example. Use the list that your own patterns and tailors require.

Give each field a short hint, such as "Measure over light clothing". Make clear whether you want inches or centimeters, and use a switch or label.

How do you reduce measurement errors?

Most problems come from shoppers measuring wrongly, not from your making. Reduce them:

• Show photos or short videos of each measurement.
• Ask for a double-check: "Please confirm your numbers."
• Compare the numbers to your chart and flag anything unusual.
• Send a confirmation email that lists the measurements, before you start cutting.

Our guide to selling made-to-measure clothing online goes deeper into these steps.

Can a body scan help?

A body scan can give the shopper a starting point. With ZeDaq.ai on Shopify, the shopper uploads one photo and enters their height for a 30-second scan. The result is matched to your own size chart, and sizes up to the largest relevant measurement.

For made-to-measure items, treat a scan as a guide to confirm, not a replacement for a careful measurement. You can install the app from the Shopify App Store, and compare similar tools in the review of the best size recommendation apps for Shopify.

What should your policies say?

Custom items are made for one person, so the rules differ from standard stock. Write them clearly and put them where shoppers can see them before they pay.

• Lead time and what may delay it.
• Whether the shopper can change measurements and until when.
• Whether custom items can be returned, or only altered or remade for faults.
• Who pays for shipping on any remake.

Do not copy a policy from another store. Rules on returns and consumer rights depend on where you sell, so check them for your region from an official source or ask a lawyer.

How do you handle restocks of standard sizes?

Many brands offer both made-to-measure and standard sizes. For the standard range, alerts when a size returns can save a sale. See the review of Shopify back-in-stock apps for size restocks.

FAQs

Can Shopify handle custom measurements without an app?

Some themes and setups support extra fields, and you can collect measurements by email or a form after checkout. Check what your theme offers.

Should custom-size items be refundable?

That is your policy choice, within the consumer rules where you sell. Many brands offer a remake or alteration for faults instead of a refund.

How do I stop wrong measurements?

Give clear instructions, ask shoppers to confirm, and email the final numbers before you cut.

Can I sell custom and standard sizes together?

Yes. Add a custom variant next to your standard sizes, and give each its own lead time.