Your waist is 82 cm and both M and L appear to fit. That's not a mistake in the chart. TOF Paris overlaps its size ranges deliberately — and once you know why, you can order one size instead of two.
Why the sizes overlap
Most brands run their sizes back to back: S stops at 79 cm, M starts at 80. TOF Paris doesn't. There, S runs to 79 cm and M already begins at 76 — four centimetres in which both sizes are correct.
The reason is the fabric. TOF Paris works almost entirely with stretch materials that cover several widths. A brief in M sits close at 76 cm and still sits comfortably at 84 cm. Both are intended.
Which means: the chart doesn't decide, your preferred fit does. Inside an overlap, take the smaller size for a close fit and the larger one for more room.
Measure first, then compare
You need two numbers before you look at any chart. Use a soft tape, measure against bare skin, keep it level — snug, but with no slack.
- Waist: at your natural waistline, without pulling your stomach in or pushing it out.
- Chest: at the fullest part of your ribcage, about one inch below the armpit.
One practical tip: measure in the evening. Your waist shifts by a centimetre or two over the course of a day, and the larger number is the honest one.
Underwear and swimwear
Waist only — for briefs, thongs, jockstraps, boxers, swim briefs and swim shorts.
| Size | Waist (cm) | Waist (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 66 – 74 | 26 – 29 |
| S | 71 – 79 | 28 – 31 |
| M | 76 – 84 | 30 – 33 |
| L | 81 – 89 | 32 – 35 |
| XL | 84 – 92 | 33 – 36 |
| 2XL | 89 – 97 | 35 – 38 |
Worked example: at 82 cm both M and L fit. For a jockstrap or a brief-cut swim short, take M — those are meant to sit close. For swim shorts you want to hang looser, take L.
Tank tops and t-shirts
Upper body goes by chest, not waist.
| Size | Chest (cm) | Chest (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 86 – 91 | 34 – 36 |
| S | 91 – 96 | 36 – 38 |
| M | 96 – 101 | 38 – 40 |
| L | 101 – 106 | 40 – 42 |
| XL | 106 – 111 | 42 – 44 |
| 2XL | 111 – 116 | 44 – 46 |
Harnesses
Harnesses come in double sizes and go by chest. The ranges are especially wide because the straps adjust.
| Size | Chest (cm) | Chest (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| XS/S | 86 – 96 | 34 – 38 |
| S/M | 91 – 101 | 36 – 40 |
| M/L | 96 – 106 | 38 – 42 |
| L/XL | 101 – 111 | 40 – 44 |
| XL/2XL | 106 – 116 | 42 – 46 |
Skirts and trousers
Skirts come in double sizes by waist: XS/S covers 66 to 76 cm, M/L covers 76 to 86 cm, XL/2XL covers 86 to 96 cm.
Trousers work differently. TOF Paris publishes the measurements of the garment itself, not of your body. The waistband measures 72 cm in XS, 76 in S, 80 in M, 84 in L, 88 in XL and 92 in 2XL, with an inseam between 83 and 90 cm. So don't enter your own measurements here — compare against a pair of trousers that already fits you.
Three mistakes worth avoiding
Don't order two sizes and return both. It's the natural reflex when ranges overlap, and the expensive one. Decide on fit instead: smaller for close, larger for comfortable.
Don't carry over the size from your wardrobe. TOF Paris cuts French and close to the body. If you wear L in high-street brands, you're often an XL here.
Don't treat coated fabrics like jersey. Wet look and faux leather barely give. When in doubt with those, size up.
Frequently asked
Does TOF Paris run small?
Not small, but close-cut. The measurements are accurate — the cut simply sits against the body. If you're used to relaxed fits, it will feel smaller.
I'm exactly between two sizes. What now?
That's the normal case at TOF Paris, not an edge case. Take the smaller for briefs, thongs and jockstraps, the larger for shorts, shirts and anything in faux leather.
Do the sizes work the same across all categories?
No. Underwear and swimwear go by waist, shirts and harnesses by chest, trousers by the garment's own measurements. An M in a t-shirt doesn't automatically mean an M in swimwear.
How do I measure for a jockstrap?
Same as any underwear: waist circumference where the band sits. The waistband is elastic and covers the whole stated range.
Browse the full range in our TOF Paris collection. The size chart also appears on every product page, right below the size selector.
