The single most common reason a costume gets returned is size, and the single most common cause of that is ordering the size you wear in normal clothes. Costume sizing is its own system. Five minutes with a tape measure will save you a return.
The rule: costumes run smaller than clothing
Rubies, who make everything in our Special Elvis range, state this on every product: costumes run smaller than apparel. A men's medium costume is not the same as a men's medium shirt. Always work from the measurements, never from the letter on the label.
Every costume with a size choice now has a Size guide link on its product page, just under the size selector. Open it before you order.
How to measure
You need a soft tape measure and about two minutes. Measure over light clothing, not over a jumper.
- Chest. Around the fullest part, under the arms, tape level all the way round. Breathe normally.
- Waist. Around your natural waist, the narrowest point, usually just above the navel. Not where your trousers sit.
- Height. Against a wall, shoes off. This matters more than anything else for children.
- Weight. Needed for kids and essential for pets.
Write the numbers down and compare them to the chart. If your chest says one size and your waist says another, go with the chest on a jumpsuit, because the belt is adjustable and the chest is not.
Adult costumes
The adult chart runs from XS through to XXL/2X and lists chest, waist and length, with chest measurements from 34 to 50 inches.
It applies to the Elvis Presley Costume for Adults, the Women's Elvis Presley Costume, the Deluxe Aloha Costume and the Grand Heritage Costume.
A note for women ordering: the women's costume is cut for a women's figure, so use that product rather than sizing down a men's jumpsuit. The fit through the hip is different.
Kids costumes
The children's chart works from height and weight first, then chest and waist. That is deliberate: children of the same age vary enormously, and age is a poor guide.
It covers the Kids Elvis Costume, the Elvis Child's Costume and the Toddler Elvis Costume.
Rough guide, but always check the chart:
- Toddler - 35 to 39 inches tall, up to 34lb
- Small - 44 to 48 inches, 36 to 52lb
- Medium - 50 to 54 inches, 54 to 70lb
- Large - 56 to 60 inches, 72 to 90lb
The Baby Elvis Costume is sold in a single 6-12 months size and sits below this chart entirely.
Pet costumes
The Elvis Pet Costume is sized by weight, chest girth, neck girth and back length, from X-Small up to XXX-Large.
Two things matter here more than they do for people:
- Do not choose by breed. Two dogs of the same breed can be two sizes apart. Measure yours.
- Back length is the one that fails. Measure from the base of the neck to the base of the tail. A costume that fits the chest but is too long will drag, and your dog will refuse to walk in it.
Still between sizes?
Size up. A costume you can move in beats a costume that fits perfectly standing still, and a jumpsuit that is slightly roomy still looks right once the belt is on. This is the opposite of the advice for t-shirts, which we cover in our apparel style guide.
Sizing FAQs
Do Elvis costumes run small?
Yes. Rubies costumes consistently run smaller than normal clothing, which is why the manufacturer prints the warning on every pack. Use the measurements on the size guide rather than your usual size.
What if my chest and waist give different sizes?
Go with the chest. The belt adjusts, the chest and shoulders do not.
How do I measure my dog for a pet costume?
Weight, then chest girth behind the front legs, neck girth where a collar sits, and back length from the neck to the base of the tail. Compare all four to the chart and take the largest matching size.
Can I exchange for a different size?
Unworn, unwashed items can be returned within 14 days of delivery. The fastest route is to return and reorder the size you need. See our returns policy.
Once you have your size, the rest of the look is covered in How to dress as Elvis.