This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice from your surgeon or care team.
Choosing the right size for adaptive clothing is not the same as choosing the right size for regular clothing. Post-surgery swelling, caregiver-assisted dressing, compression garments worn underneath, and the preference for loose, non-restrictive fits all change how you should approach sizing. Getting it wrong means a garment that is either too tight to be useful or too loose to stay in place. This guide walks through how to measure accurately and how to make the right sizing call for different situations.
Aasra's Size Range
All Aasra adaptive garments are available in sizes M (medium) to 2XL. The one exception is the front-open recovery nighty, which is available in S (small) to 2XL. There are no XS or 3XL options in the current range.
A note on the size range: adaptive clothing is deliberately cut loosely compared to standard Indian garment sizing. A size M in Aasra's adaptive range is cut generously to allow for freedom of movement, caregiver dressing, and wearing over bandages or light compression. If you are between sizes in regular clothing, choose the larger size in adaptive wear.
The Three Key Measurements
Chest Measurement
Measure around the fullest part of the chest, keeping the tape horizontal and snug but not tight. For a man, this is typically across the nipple line. For a woman, measure around the fullest part of the bust. Note this number in centimetres.
Waist Measurement
Measure around the natural waist -- the narrowest point of the torso, usually about 2-3 cm above the navel. For post-surgery patients, the natural waist measurement may be temporarily affected by abdominal swelling or bandaging. In this case, measure around the widest swollen area and use that as your sizing reference.
Hip Measurement
Measure around the fullest part of the hips and buttocks, typically 18-20 cm below the natural waist. This measurement is most relevant for lower-body garments -- recovery pants, pyjamas, and shorts.
How to Measure Someone Who Is Bedridden
Measuring a person who cannot stand requires a slightly different technique:
- Chest: Ask the person to lie flat on their back. Slide the tape measure under the back at chest level, bring both ends to the front, and read the measurement across the fullest part of the chest. Add 2 cm to account for the slight compression from lying flat.
- Waist: With the person lying flat, place the tape at the natural waist level and measure around the body. If abdominal distension is present, measure around the fullest point.
- Hip: With the person lying flat, slide the tape under the hips at their fullest point and bring both ends to the top. Read the measurement. Add 2 cm as above.
How to Measure Someone Who Is Seated
For wheelchair users or people who sit for most of the day, measurements taken seated will more accurately reflect the dimensions that matter for dressing:
- Chest: Measure while the person is seated upright. The chest measurement is the same -- around the fullest part of the chest.
- Waist: The waist expands when seated. Measure while seated for a lower-body garment that will primarily be worn while sitting. Measure while standing (or lying flat as above) for a garment that will be put on and off from a standing or lying position.
- Hip: Measure while seated, as the seated hip width is greater than the standing hip width. The seated measurement is the relevant one for trouser comfort in a wheelchair.
How Post-Surgery Swelling Affects Sizing
Post-surgical oedema (swelling) is normal and can affect clothing fit significantly in the first four to eight weeks. The degree varies by surgery type:
- Abdominal surgery (hysterectomy, bowel surgery, hernia repair): The abdomen may be noticeably larger than normal for two to six weeks. Size up by one size from your pre-surgery waist measurement.
- Lower limb surgery (hip replacement, knee replacement, leg fracture): One or both legs may swell significantly. Measure the swollen limb at its widest and use this to guide trouser or shorts sizing.
- Breast surgery and axillary dissection: The chest and arm area may swell. Size up for upper-body garments if you expect significant swelling after axillary lymph node removal.
The general principle: when in doubt after surgery, size up. Adaptive garments are designed to be worn loose, and a slightly larger size is always more comfortable and more functional during recovery than a slightly smaller one. You can always exchange for a smaller size as swelling reduces.
Measuring Over a Cast or Brace
If the person is wearing a cast or brace that will remain in place when wearing the adaptive garment, measure with the cast or brace on:
- For an arm cast: measure the arm circumference at the widest point of the cast, not the arm itself. The tearaway side-opening t-shirt is the only practical option for dressing over most arm casts, as the velcro shoulder opening can accommodate the cast diameter.
- For a leg cast or brace: measure the leg at the widest point of the cast or brace. Side-opening recovery pants and shorts open fully along the side, accommodating most cast widths.
- For a back brace or TLSO: measure the chest over the brace if the person will be wearing the garment over the brace. If the garment goes under the brace, measure the torso directly.
Returning and Exchanging
Aasra accepts returns and exchanges on unworn, unwashed garments within a specified number of days from delivery -- check the current returns policy on the website for exact terms. If a size does not fit because of post-surgical swelling that reduces over time, you may wish to order two sizes: one for the swollen phase and one for your target size as recovery progresses.
When in doubt between two sizes, always contact Aasra before ordering. The team can advise based on your specific measurements and the garment you are considering.
Quick Reference: Aasra Product Range and Sizing
Front-Open Recovery Nighty
Women's. Available in S, M, L, XL, 2XL. The only Aasra garment available in size S.
Tearaway Side-Opening T-Shirt
Unisex. Available M to 2XL. Size up if measuring over a cast or if post-surgical swelling is expected.
Side-Opening Recovery Pants
Unisex. Available M to 2XL. Measure seated hip width if primarily worn while sitting.
Browse the full range by condition at post-surgery or elderly care.
Frequently Asked Questions
I usually wear a Large in Indian brands. What size should I order from Aasra?
Aasra's adaptive garments are cut generously -- they are designed to be worn loose for ease of dressing and caregiver access. A Large in most Indian ready-to-wear brands will typically correspond to an M or L at Aasra. Take your measurements as described above and compare to the size chart on each product page for the most accurate result. If you are recovering from surgery and expecting swelling, add one size to whatever measurement guide suggests.
How do I measure someone who cannot cooperate (dementia, unconscious)?
Use the lying-flat technique described above. With the person lying comfortably on their back, slide the tape measure around the relevant body part. You may need a second person to help -- one to hold the tape at one side and one to thread it under the body. Be gentle and work slowly. Take multiple readings and use the largest measurement to avoid ending up with a garment that is too small.
I need clothing that fits over a large leg cast. What should I order?
The side-opening recovery shorts and side-opening recovery pants are designed specifically for this situation. The velcro side opening can be left partially open to accommodate the cast width, and the opening runs the full length of the side seam. Measure the cast at its widest point and compare to the size chart's hip measurement -- when in doubt, size up.
Can I use Aasra sizing for compression garment layering?
If you wear a compression sleeve or compression stocking and will be putting adaptive clothing over it, measure over the compression garment and use those measurements to select your size. The outer garment needs to be loose enough that it does not add compression on top of the compression garment -- so being generous with sizing is the right call here.
Sizing adaptive clothing well removes one more source of friction from an already demanding recovery period. For more guidance on how specific garments work for different conditions, see our articles on adaptive clothing for men in India and clothing for bedridden patients.