Understanding Size Curves: Key in Wholesale Fashion

 

Understanding size curves is critical if you’re buying fashion inventory in bulk – without it, you’re flying blind.
One wrong curve can tank your resale margins, clog your warehouse with unsellable sizes, and kill customer trust.

Here’s the straight answer: understanding size curves in wholesale is one of the most overlooked levers for boosting ROI in fashion distribution.

In this guide, we’ll break down what size curves actually are, how they work in off-price fashion, and how Take Off helps serious B2B buyers use them to reduce risk and make smarter buying decisions.

 

What Is a Size Curve in Wholesale Fashion?

 

A size curve is the distribution of sizes in a bulk order.
It tells you how many units of each size are included in the total pack.

Example:
If you’re ordering 100 T-shirts and the curve is 1-2-2-2-1 across S to XL, that’s your ratio.
Your breakdown might look like:

• Small: 10 pcs
• Medium: 20 pcs
• Large: 20 pcs
• XL: 20 pcs
• XXL: 10 pcs

 

Not all curves are this balanced. In off-price fashion, they often skew due to leftover sizes, category differences, or brand-specific standards.

 

 

There are three curve types buyers need to watch for:

• Standard curve: common in basics (e.g. 1-2-2-1)
• Skewed curve: heavy on one size (e.g. 1-3-3-1)
• Custom curve: tailored to a retailer’s region or audience

 

 

Curve formats also differ:

• Numeric sizing (e.g. 38-48 EU)
• Letter sizing (S-XL)
• Footwear (one or two key sizes make up 80% of stock)
• Accessories (often one-size, but not always)

 

These curves vary by gender, region, product category, and brand.

 

 

Why Size Curves Matter for B2B Fashion Buyers

 

This isn’t just a data point – it’s your inventory map. Size curves affect:

• Sell-through rate
• Resale velocity
• Return volume
• Storage and handling costs
• Profit margin on each unit

 

For example, if your main customer base skews toward medium sizes, and you get a curve loaded with XS and XL – those units won’t move.
Even a 20% mismatch can lead to overstock markdowns, dead inventory, and margin erosion.

Resellers buying for multiple storefronts or platforms (e.g. online + retail) must plan curve splits carefully.

Off-price buyers also face non-trend-aligned stock, meaning you can’t rely on trend-based size guides.
You need hard data – and support from your supplier – to make sure you’re buying the right curve for your resale channel.

Understanding current resale trends can help you better anticipate demand, and tailor your size curves for maximum sell-through. For a deep dive, check out our latest guide to resale fashion trends in 2025.

 

 

Reading a Line Sheet with Size Curve Data

 

Line sheets show you what’s included – but most buyers skim the size curve section.
That’s a mistake.

With Take Off, every HD line sheet comes with detailed product metadata, including:

• Exact size ratios per item or bundle
• Piece count per size
• Curve logic by category and gender
• Visual mapping of distribution (when applicable)

 

 

Here’s what to look for:

• “Total pieces” isn’t the full story. Dig into how those pieces are divided.
• Imbalanced curves often signal limited resale windows – be cautious.
• Missing sizes in bundled stock? That could reduce your customer coverage.
• Footwear curves usually compress into fewer variants – which means tighter volume planning.

 

 

Understanding this data helps you avoid mismatched inventory – and lets your team plan sales, logistics, and channel splits in advance.

Strong supplier relationships are key to getting accurate size curve data and smooth order processing. Learn how to build effective partnerships in our article on improving supplier relationships.

 

 

Category-Specific Curve Insights

 

1. Apparel (Tops, Bottoms, Outerwear)

• Women’s apparel often skews M/L in Europe
• Menswear curves are tighter (often focused on M and L)
• Outerwear curves may exclude fringe sizes entirely

 

 

2. Footwear

• 80% of sales sit in just 3 sizes
• Curves here are less flexible – always match to known customer size profiles
• European vs UK sizing also matters – especially for online resale

 

 

3. Accessories

• “One size” doesn’t mean no variation – some stock may include adjustable vs fixed sizes
• Size tags on belts, hats, and gloves still need checking

 

 

4. Gender Splits

• Women’s categories may include wider variation per product line
• Men’s categories benefit from flatter curves but tighter purchasing tolerance

 

 

5. Delivery Window Logic (Take Off Specific)

Take Off doesn’t use trend-based tagging. Instead, inventory is organized by delivery window.
This is key: size curves align with what’s available for shipment in that period – helping buyers sync stock intake to their seasonal needs.

 

 

How Take Off Helps Buyers Use Size Curves for Smarter Inventory

 

Size curve management is baked into Take Off’s wholesale process:

• All proposals come with HD line sheets
  → Every item includes size curve metadata
• Tailored curve breakdowns by category, gender, and region
  → Ideal for multi-market resale or seasonal split
• Master data access for resellers
  → Structured for onboarding and resale prep
• Pre-sorted stock for phased delivery
  → You can plan intake by delivery window, not just size

 

Buyers with large-volume needs (>500 pcs) – reach out through our contact page.
Smaller stock buyers (<500 pcs) – explore curated packs on Bundlex.

Take Off’s streamlined process makes managing size curves and inventory simple – learn more about our approach to exclusive European wholesale fashion here.

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5 Common Curve Mistakes – And How to Avoid Them

 

Mistake 1: Assuming All Curves Are the Same

Always ask for the actual curve, not an assumed “standard.”

 

Mistake 2: Not Adjusting for Region

German buyers vs Italian boutiques? Size preferences change – curves should match.

 

Mistake 3: Ignoring Historic Performance

Check past sell-through to guide curve selection for repeat buys.

 

Mistake 4: Treating Bundled Offers Like Retail Packs

Wholesale bundles need unpacking. Curves often vary inside mixed lots.

 

Mistake 5: Applying Full-Price Logic to Off-Price

Off-price inventory skews differently. Take Off structures curves around what’s available – not idealised size ranges.

Explore best practices in our article on off-price fashion sourcing.

 

 

Recap – What Smart Buyers Do With Size Curves

 

• Check curve shape before confirming any stock
• Match curve logic to resale region, platform, and delivery timing
• Use structured proposals with size metadata
• Don’t ignore curve data in smaller bundles
• Always source from partners who provide full master data

 

 

FAQ – Real Buyer Questions

 

What is the standard size curve for fashion wholesale?
There’s no universal standard – it varies by brand, region, and category. Take Off includes exact curve data in every proposal.

 

Can I request a custom size curve for my order?
Yes. For larger volumes, use the Contact Page to discuss requirements with our team.

 

How do I access product curves if there’s no public catalogue?
Bundlex lets you browse small packs.

 

Are curves the same for menswear and womenswear?
Not at all. Menswear tends to have tighter curves. Womenswear varies more and often skews toward mid-range sizes.

 

Do size curves affect shipping or packaging?
Yes. Incorrect curves can cause repackaging delays and increase export costs. Take Off plans logistics based on the accepted curve.

 

 

Ready to Make Size Curves Work for You?

 

Buying more than 500 pieces?
Request a tailored proposal with full size curve metadata and structured delivery planning.

Buying under 500?
Explore Bundlex for curated stock packs with smart size distribution.