Ordering guide · · By the CHSALL team
How to collect cheer team sizes in one pass
The size list is the one part of a uniform order that is entirely in your hands, and it is also the most common cause of delay. Here is how to gather every size in a single round, with the measurements that actually matter for cheer tops, skirts and leotards.
Key takeaways
- Production cannot start until every size is confirmed. This is the most common delay that is fully under your control.
- Measure, do not ask. Self-reported sizes vary between brands; a tape measure takes the same two minutes.
- Cheer tops need chest and waist; skirts and briefs need waist and hips; leotards also need girth (torso length).
- Collect everything at once, including spares, and keep the final list with the style code for reorders.
A uniform order has two clocks running: the design clock and the size clock. Teams usually spend their energy on the design and treat sizes as paperwork. In practice the size list is the one that decides whether cutting starts on the date you were promised.
The reason is simple. Patterns are cut in batches. Until the last size and quantity is confirmed, the cut cannot be laid out, and production cannot begin. That is why an incomplete list costs days that no supplier can get back.
Measure, do not ask
The fastest way to collect sizes is often the least reliable one: asking each athlete what size she normally wears. Sizes are not standardised between brands, and a teenager who wears a medium in one label may be a small in another. Two athletes who both say "medium" can differ by several centimetres.
A tape measure removes the guesswork, and it takes about two minutes per athlete. If you are collecting remotely, send a short measuring guide with the diagram of where the tape goes; most teams get a complete list back within a week.
The measurements that matter
| Garment | Measure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Top / shell | Chest or bust, waist | Measure over a sports bra or the undergarment they will wear. Keep the tape level and snug, not tight. |
| Skirt / brief | Waist, hips | Hips at the fullest point. If the athlete is between sizes, note that clearly instead of rounding. |
| Leotard | Chest, waist, hips and girth | Girth is the torso length: from the shoulder, down through the crotch and back up to the same shoulder. For leotards it matters more than height. |
| Sizing notes | Fit preference | Record anyone who wants a looser or longer fit. It is far cheaper to note it now than to alter a finished uniform. |
For youth sizes, measure the athlete as they are today rather than buying room to grow. Uniforms that hang loose do not read well on the mat, and a too-large skirt is a safety distraction during stunts.
How to run a measuring session
- Pick one session and one person to measure. A single person measuring everyone keeps the tape tension consistent across the list.
- Use the same tape and the same underlayer for every athlete, so the numbers are comparable.
- Write measurements down as you go, with the athlete's name and whether the figure is chest, waist, hips or girth. Do not rely on memory or on a group chat.
- Measure spares too. Decide which spare sizes you want while the tape is out, not three weeks later.
- Have a second person sanity-check the list before you send it, looking for obviously swapped numbers.
- Keep a copy with the style code. A repeat order or a mid-season replacement then needs no new measurements at all.
A simple size list format
This is the format that lets a factory start cutting without asking questions. A spreadsheet with these columns is enough:
| Athlete | Size | Chest | Waist | Hips | Girth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| example | AS | 86 cm | 68 cm | 94 cm | — | prefers longer skirt |
| example | Y-M | 72 cm | 62 cm | 80 cm | — | — |
If you would rather send sizes only, that works too, provided every athlete has one. What causes delays is not the format, it is a list that changes after cutting has started.
Common mistakes that cost days
- Sizes added after the order is placed. New athletes and late measurements restart the cut layout.
- Rounding between sizes. If an athlete measures between two sizes, say so; the supplier can advise whether to size up.
- Mixing measurement systems. Two athletes in inches and the rest in centimetres is a real source of errors. Pick one unit for the whole list.
- No spares. Mid-season replacements are small, urgent orders. One or two spares ordered up front is far simpler than a new production run.
- Forgetting the girth column on leotards. It is the measurement that most affects leotard fit, and it cannot be guessed from height.
What to send with the size list
- The style or design concept you are ordering
- Quantity for each size, with the total
- Spare sizes and quantities, if any
- Team colors and logo
- Your country and the date you need the uniforms in hand
With a complete list and an approved design, our production time is 10–25 days. Send the size list late and that clock starts late too.
Send us your size list and we will confirm the size chart, the minimum for your design and the production schedule.
FAQ
How do I collect sizes for a cheer team?
Measure each athlete rather than asking for a size, because self-reported sizes vary between brands. Record chest or bust, waist and hips for tops and skirts, and add girth (torso length) for leotards. Collect the whole list, including spares, before you approve the design.
What measurements are needed for a cheer uniform?
Chest or bust and waist for the top, waist and hips for the skirt or brief, and for a leotard also girth, measured from the shoulder, through the crotch and back up to the shoulder. Note any preference for a looser or tighter fit.
Can one order include youth and adult sizes?
Yes. Mixed youth and adult sizes are produced in the same run and do not change the minimum order quantity. Send the quantity for each size in one list.
Why is my size list delaying production?
Production cannot start until every size is confirmed. Incomplete lists, sizes added late and changes after cutting are the most common avoidable delays. Collect all sizes before design approval so cutting starts on time.
Have your size list ready?
Send it with your style and colors and we will confirm your size chart and schedule. General MOQ 10 pcs, production 10–25 days.
