missize

Missize is a term encountered in various contexts with no single, widely accepted meaning. In fashion and apparel, missize or mis-size refers to a garment that does not conform to its stated size, arising when sizing charts are inconsistent or garments are produced using inaccurate measurements. Causes include divergent regional standards, vanity sizing, and cross-brand conversions. Effects include poor fit, customer dissatisfaction, and higher return rates. Industry responses emphasize standardization of measurements, curated size guides, and inclusive sizing.

In manufacturing and quality control, missize can describe parts or components that fail to meet nominal dimensions. Variations in tooling, wear, or process control can produce undersized or oversize parts, complicating assembly and performance. Quality systems prefer precise terminology such as tolerance, deviation, or out-of-spec, but missize appears in some supplier notes or informal references.

The term also appears in casual usage to describe mis-sized items purchased online or second-hand goods that do not fit as expected. When encountered in technical writing, missize is often clarified by providing the exact measurement or the standard it is compared against.

There is no universally recognized definition of missize in major dictionaries or standards bodies. See also mis-sizing, sizing (clothing), tolerances.