Ease is not excess fabric
Each design has its own wearing ease. Do not add centimetres to body measurements before consulting a chart that asks for the dog’s actual size. An oversized suit can slip off shoulders and long sleeves can cover paws.
If between sizes
Compare chest, back and neck separately. Ask the seller or choose another cut if the figures disagree. Buying large for a growing puppy is tempting, but an awkward garment today is not automatically a good choice because it may fit later.
Separate body size from garment ease
A chart may describe either the dog’s body or the finished garment. Establish which before comparing numbers. If the maker already includes wearing ease, adding several centimetres yourself to every measurement may produce an oversized result.
Record actual figures without rounding towards the size you want. Ask about the specific fabric: a dense non-stretch shell and thin jersey need different considerations.
During fitting, see where the spare room lies. Useful freedom in the right area differs from excess length covering the feet. If the garment rotates around the body, going larger will not solve it.
For a puppy, choose something comfortable now and plan to measure again. For an adult between sizes, ask for model-specific advice. Sometimes the answer is a different cut rather than the next letter in the chart. Keep body measurements unchanged while discussing those options.
Useful? Save it for your next walk.
