A chef coat size chart needs chest, shoulder, sleeve and length, all measured flat on your approved sample; a kitchen trouser chart needs waist relaxed and stretched, hip, inseam and leg opening. Aprons are one adjustable size, so they need only strap and tie measurements. Chef coats, trousers and tunics come in XS–3XL, and sizes can be mixed within the 50-piece minimum per style.
Why kitchen sizing is different
Kitchen staff work long shifts on their feet, reaching, bending and lifting in a warm room. A chef coat that is tight across the back or short in the sleeve becomes uncomfortable quickly. Most chefs wear a T-shirt under the coat, and many prefer a little extra room rather than a close fit.
Kitchen trousers usually have an elastic or drawstring waist, which makes them more forgiving on waist size. That shifts the important measurements to hip, inseam and leg width.
Chef coat size chart
Measure the approved sample flat and publish garment measurements for each size:
| Measurement | How to measure | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Half chest | Across the coat just below the armholes, fastened | Room over a T-shirt |
| Shoulder width | Seam to seam across the back | Freedom when reaching |
| Sleeve length | Shoulder seam to cuff, long or short sleeve | Hands free when working |
| Back length | Centre back neck to hem | Coverage when bending |
Add a body chest measurement for each size so buyers can compare. Ask for our size chart when you request a quotation, then confirm each figure on your sample before you publish it.
If you offer both long and short sleeves, show sleeve length for each.
Kitchen trouser size chart
| Measurement | How to measure |
|---|---|
| Waist, relaxed | Across the waistband laid flat, unstretched |
| Waist, stretched | Across the waistband at full stretch |
| Hip | Across the trousers at the widest point below the waist |
| Inseam | Crotch seam to hem |
| Leg opening | Across the hem, laid flat |
With an elastic or drawstring waist, give both relaxed and stretched waist figures. Buyers can then see the range each size covers.
Tunics and aprons
Housekeeping tunic
Show half chest, back length and sleeve length. Tunics are worn by people who bend and reach constantly, so a note on length helps buyers choose.
Aprons
Aprons are one adjustable size, so you do not need a size chart. Do publish:
- the apron’s length and width;
- the neck strap range, if adjustable;
- the tie length.
These help buyers judge whether the apron suits taller or shorter staff. For a team order, try the sample apron on your tallest and shortest staff member. If it suits both, one adjustable size will cover the whole team.
Splitting a first order
Ordering for a known team
Hotels, restaurant groups and caterers can collect sizes in advance. Ask each team for a size list, by style, and order to it. Add a few spares in the middle sizes for new starters and for rotation while coats are being washed.
Kitchen teams often need more than one coat each, because chef coats are changed often. Ask how many coats each person needs to cover their rota between washes, then multiply.
Ordering stock to sell
A brand or supplier selling to unknown buyers should weight the middle sizes. As an illustration only, a 50-piece run of white chef coats might look like this:
| Size | XS | S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pieces | 2 | 6 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 5 | 2 |
This is a starting point, not a recommendation from sales data. After the first sell-through, adjust to what sold.
Coats and trousers together
Chef coats and kitchen trousers are separate styles, each with its own minimum of 50 pieces. People do not always wear the same size top and bottom, so plan each size run on its own. If you sell them as a set, consider letting buyers choose each size separately.
More than one colour
The colour split per style is confirmed at quotation. A second colour, such as black chef coats alongside white, takes its own size run within the style’s quantity. Keep a trial colour to fewer sizes.
Before you publish
- Measure at least two pieces per size from the bulk delivery.
- Correct any figure that differs from your chart.
- State the fabric, poly-cotton twill or cotton drill, so buyers know how it feels.
- Add a short note, for example “Most chefs wear a T-shirt underneath; if you are between sizes, choose the larger”.
If you sell on a marketplace, confirm its current size chart format with the marketplace. We label and pack to the specification you give us.
Our post on poly-cotton twill or cotton drill explains how fabric affects fit and feel. Styles and the size range are on our white label chef coats and aprons page. Send us your styles and planned size split for a quotation.