Pheran Size Guide: Free Size, Bust and Length Explained
In short: KAARKASH pherans are free size. Most measure 48 to 52 inches around the bust and 42 to 44 inches long, which fits bust sizes up to about 44 inches (XL) loosely. Pherans hang loose, so choose by length, not by dress size. Every product page shows its own measurements, in inches or centimetres.
What "free size" means on a pheran
A pheran is a loose robe (see what a Kashmiri pheran is). It is not cut to the body like a kurti, so one size fits most people. The numbers on our pages are the garment's own measurements, laid flat: a 50 inch bust means the pheran is 50 inches around, not that it is for a 50 inch body. On a 38 inch bust that leaves about 10 to 12 inches of room, which is the traditional, easy fit. On a 44 inch bust it is still comfortable, with 6 inches to spare.
KAARKASH pheran measurements
All measurements are in inches, garment laid flat. Open the size guide on any product page to see them in centimetres.
| Line | Bust (garment) | Length | Fits up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aari and manual aari pherans | 48 to 50 | 42 to 44 | XL |
| Gulposh Royal, Meeras, Hazelwood | 50 to 52 | 42 to 44 | XL |
| Kongposh tilla | 52 to 54 | 40 to 42 | XL |
| Sozni pherans | Free size | Not stated | XL |
| Royal and Poshmal coats | 50 to 52 (hip 44) | 42 | XL |
| Gulposh pheran co-ord set | 46 (waist 28 to 34) | 38 to 40, pants 38 | L |
A few pieces are cut differently, so the product page wins over this table. See the pheran collection.
How to measure yourself
You need three numbers. Use a soft tape, over the clothes you would wear under the pheran.
- Bust: around the fullest part of your chest, tape level, not tight.
- Hip: around the fullest part of your hips. This matters for the coats and the co-ord set.
- Length: from the top of your shoulder, next to the neck, straight down to where you want the hem.
The quickest check: lay a kurta or a pheran that fits you well flat on the bed and measure it. Compare those numbers with the table above.
Where a 42 to 44 inch pheran ends on you
Pherans in Kashmir are worn below the knee. Roughly, on a 42 to 44 inch pheran:
| Your height | Where the hem falls |
|---|---|
| 5 ft 0 in | Just above the ankle |
| 5 ft 4 in | Lower calf |
| 5 ft 8 in | Mid-calf |
The Kongposh pherans, at 40 to 42 inches, end about two inches higher. The coats are 42 inches.
Petite, tall, or between sizes
- Under 5 feet: choose a 40 to 42 inch piece, or wear a 42 to 44 inch pheran long, as it is worn in Kashmir. A tailor can shorten a plain hem. If the hem has embroidery, leave it.
- Over 5 ft 8 in: a 42 to 44 inch pheran ends at mid-calf, below the knee, which is how it is worn in Kashmir.
- Bust over 44 inches: the Kongposh (52 to 54) is the roomiest. On other lines the fit is closer to the body.
- Size S or XS: every pheran will be loose. That is the garment. A shawl or a thin belt at the waist gives it shape.
Questions
Will a free-size pheran fit me if I am size S?
Yes. It will hang loose, which is how a pheran is worn. Tie a shawl or a thin belt at the waist if you want shape.
Is the 48 inch bust my body size?
No. It is the garment measured flat, all the way around. Your body should be 4 to 12 inches smaller than that number.
Do pherans shrink?
Not if you dry clean them, which is what we recommend. Do not machine wash or soak an embroidered pheran. See our care guide.
Can I exchange a pheran for another size?
Pherans come in one size, so there is nothing to exchange to. Returns are only for damaged, defective or wrong items, within 7 days, with the unboxing video. Please check the measurements before you order.
What do I wear under it?
A thin kurta, a fitted top or a light sweater, with straight trousers, a churidar or jeans. Our guide on how to wear a pheran has the rest.
Written by the KAARKASH team in Srinagar, Kashmir, where our pieces are made and packed. Updated October 2026.