At Soda.Global, we firmly believe that one size does not fit all. Our mission is to understand the unique needs of our customers’ audiences and produce apparel that fits them perfectly. However, determining the right size distribution for merchandising isn’t a simple task.
Many projects lack the data to make informed decisions, and several factors complicate the process. Fortunately, through data-driven strategies, testing, and iteration, we’ve developed an approach that delivers results. Let’s explore the challenges and how we solve them.
Getting the size distribution right is critical for customer satisfaction and efficient resource use. Yet, too often, projects are unprepared, lacking the data needed to decide how many of each size—Small, Medium, Large, or Extra Large—to produce. On top of that, several factors influence this decision:
Event Location: Body sizes and shapes vary across the globe. An audience in North America may have different sizing needs compared to one in Europe or Asia, depending on where your event is held.
Production Location: Where the apparel is made significantly impacts sizing. From our experience, US-produced garments tend to be larger than those made in Europe, which are, in turn, larger than those from Asia. After ordering numerous samples and conducting physical tests, we’ve noticed a clear pattern: sizes shrink as you move from America through Europe to Asia.
Without accounting for these variables, projects risk producing apparel that doesn’t fit their audience, leading to wasted resources and unhappy customers.
When it comes to size distribution, some might assume a simple solution will work. Let’s examine two common methods—and why they often fail.
Equal Distribution (25% S, 25% M, 25% L, 25% XL): This approach seems fair, but it rarely reflects reality. In the WEB3 space, for example, the audience is predominantly adult, and the proportion of women hasn’t yet reached parity. Current data shows a skew toward larger sizes, making an equal split impractical.
Bell Curve (20% S, 30% M, 30% L, 20% XL): A bell curve might appear more balanced, but it still misses the mark. Our research shows that audience body shapes tend to lean toward larger sizes, not a perfect symmetrical curve.
Relying on these generic models overlooks the specific needs of your audience, which is why we take a different approach at Soda.Global.
At Soda.Global, we’ve honed a process that ensures apparel fits both literally and figuratively. Here’s how we do it:
Study and Adapt Distribution Curves: We start by analyzing distribution curves and tailoring them to the specific needs of each event’s audience. One-size-fits-all doesn’t work here—literally.
Strategic Production Choices:
For global audiences, we often produce merchandise close to the event location, ensuring sizes align with local expectations.
For cost-saving projects, we produce in Asia and ship globally, adjusting patterns to suit the target audience.
Sample and Test: Each production workshop uses sewing patterns based on their templates, the event location, and the audience’s origins. We then create samples and rigorously test them to confirm they meet expectations.
Iterate Based on Data: After experimenting and iterating, we’ve found a baseline distribution that works well in most cases: 15% Small, 25% Medium, 35% Large, 25% Extra Large. However, we don’t treat this as a rigid rule. Every event is unique, so we adapt these percentages to match the specific audience’s characteristics.
Our approach ensures that the apparel we produce resonates with your audience—both in style and fit. For example, a tech conference in the US might need a higher proportion of L and XL sizes, while an event in Asia might call for more M and L. By combining data analysis with hands-on testing, we eliminate guesswork and deliver results.
Apparel size distribution is more than just numbers—it’s about understanding people. At Soda.Global, we’re committed to getting it right, event by event. Whether you’re hosting a local gathering or a global campaign, trust us to study the data, test the samples, and produce merchandise that fits your audience perfectly. Because when it comes to apparel, fit is everything.