What Is “Match Tolerance”?

Match Tolerance controls how closely a shopper’s body measurements need to match your size chart — for SmartSize to recommend a size.

This setting is available individually for bust, waist and hips. That’s important, because most people don’t fall into one size across all body parts and not all garments are the same.

Model with bust, waist and hips measurements in different sizes

A tight dress made of stretch jersey may tolerate more variation than a non-stretch blazer, even if both are fitted styles.

That is why this setting depends on the shape and fit of the garment (like tailored vs. oversized) and the stretch and flexibility of the fabric. As such, SmartSize lets you set different tolerances for each measurement — so your quiz reflects how the garment actually fits and feels.

For example: a customer might be a size M at the bust, a size M at the waist, and a size L at the hips.

Match Tolerance helps SmartSize decide which size to recommend — and how to prioritize fit across different body areas.

Where Can I Set It?

You’ll find the Match Tolerance settings in each Fit Quiz, when choosing garment category: ‘Custom’

Custom garment category

You can configure it separately for:

  • Bust
  • Waist
  • Hips
Match Tolerance

What Do the Match Tolerance Options Mean?

Option What it does
Default (Closest to mid point) Recommends the size whose midpoint is closest to the shopper’s measurement.
In range or bigger Recommends a size if the shopper’s body falls within that size range or larger.
In range or smaller Recommends a size if the shopper’s body falls within that size range or smaller.
Must be inside range Only recommends a size if the body measurement is fully within the range. (Most precise)

⚠️ Tip: The stricter the setting, the fewer sizes will qualify — which may be useful for tailored items but not for stretchy or flowy garments.

Practical Examples

👗 Example: Tailored Dress (fitted at the top, flowy at the bottom)

Settings:

  • Bust: Must be inside range
  • Waist: Must be inside range
  • Hips: In range or bigger

Test Case 1:

  • Customer: Sarah
  • Measurements: Bust M, Waist M, Hips L
  • Result: ✅ She gets size M — both bust and waist match exactly, and hips can be larger.

Test Case 2:

  • Customer: Caroline
  • Measurements: Bust L, Waist M, Hips L
  • Result: ❌ No size is recommended — bust and waist must match the same size, but here they don’t.

👗 Example: Stretchy Dress

Settings:

  • Bust: Default
  • Waist: Default
  • Hips: Default

Test Case 1:

  • Customer: Nina
  • Measurements: Bust S, Waist S, Hips S
  • Result: ✅ SmartSize recommends S — all measurements are close enough.

Test Case 2:

  • Customer: Lea
  • Measurements: Bust M, Waist XL, Hips L
  • Result: ❌ No recommendation — her waist and hips fall too far apart to match a single size.

🧥 Example: Fitted Shirt

Settings:

  • Bust: Must be inside range
  • Waist: Match or Smaller
  • Hips: Flexible

Test Case 1:

  • Customer: Amira
  • Measurements: Bust M, Waist S, Hips M
  • Result: ✅ She gets size M — bust matches exactly, waist is smaller, and hips are flexible.

Test Case 2:

  • Customer: Julia
  • Measurements: Bust L, Waist M, Hips XL
  • Result: ❌ No size is recommended — bust doesn’t match any size exactly.

🩳 Example: Leggings

Settings:

  • Waist: Default
  • Hips: Default
  • (Bust not used)

Test Case 1:

  • Customer: Tina
  • Measurements: Waist S, Hips S
  • Result: ✅ She gets size S — measurements are close and flexibility is allowed.

Test Case 2:

  • Customer: Emily
  • Measurements: Waist XL, Hips XS
  • Result: ❌ No recommendation — her waist and hips fall too far apart to match a single size.

🩳 Example: Stretchy Lounge Pants (elastic waistband)

Settings:

  • Waist: Default
  • Hips: Default
  • (Bust not used)

Test Case 1:

  • Customer: Rita
  • Measurements: Waist M, Hips L
  • Result: ✅ She gets size L — both measurements are within range thanks to the flexibility.

Test Case 2:

  • Customer: Sophie
  • Measurements: Waist XS, Hips XL
  • Result: ❌ No size is recommended — no size exists that stretches across that big of a difference.

🩳 Example: Lounge Pants (no elastic waistband)

Settings:

  • Waist: Must be inside range
  • Hips: Must be inside range
  • (Bust not used)

Test Case 1:

  • Customer: Anna
  • Measurements: Waist M, Hips M
  • Result: ✅ She gets size M — both waist and hips match exactly.

Test Case 2:

  • Customer: Lena
  • Measurements: Waist M, Hips L
  • Result: ❌ No recommendation — hips are outside the exact match range for M.

Best Practices

Summary

Match Tolerance is a flexible tool that helps SmartSize recommend the best-fitting size — even when body parts fall into different size categories.
When configured thoughtfully, it improves accuracy, customer satisfaction, and return rates.