I usually buy my clothes at the size I usually wear. I'm always nervous online to buy online fearing  that I will order something too small and most of the time returning is expensive and/or a hassle as experience has taught me. However, in this occasion I did look at the size chart and decided to stick to ordering the size I wear (L) but I know my measurements matched more closely the one suggested for an M. They were right, I should have ordered an M. I have to get this fitted better by a seamstress but it's not biggie. It's a rather easy thing to fix as opposed to an item being too small. TRUST THE CHART PROVIDED BY THE SELLER!