Tallit Sizing Tips

Questions on tallit sizing are just about the most common inquiries we receive. This week we received an email from a customer in Australia who is happy with the handwoven tallit he bought from us six months ago, and is thinking of buying a second handwoven tallit, but has questions on tallit sizing. 

Although his question is specific to his height, a lot of people out their can benefit from an understanding of how a size 24 tallit and a size 36 tallit fits, which is fairly universal.

I have been thinking about  purchasing another tallit .  Although very pleased with my last purchase I have always been keen on the look of the Kedma Classic (based on the photos on your website). I'm just wondering about the size?  Would the 25 inches be wide enough or 36 inches?  I am 5'10 in height.
I appreciate your advice.

With larger sizes, say 55 inches and up, the tallit is going to hang down in back, and then the question is how far it drapes.

With smaller sizes, whether 25 inches, 36 inches or 40 inches, someone 5'10" could wear any of them, but each would be worn very differently. Let me explain in detail.

If the tallit is 18 to 20 inches wide, it is worn like a scarf, just sitting on the neck and hanging in front.

If it is 24 to 26 inches wide, it is worn the same, but looks a bit different because it covers some of the upper back and upper arms.

A size 36 sort of wraps around you, as opposed to simply hanging down in front.

Once you get up to a size 45+, like you bought last time, the dimensions are designed so that it drapes down the back, traditional style, covering most of the back, or even hanging down to the belt, the back of the legs or the knees, depending on one's personal preference. Some people your height would even wear a size 70, which would hang down to the back of their knees. It looks long and elegant that way, and very frum, but many people find that to be too much tallit and hard to manage.

I have two idea for you to get an idea of a size 25 and a size 36.

1) Watch this video. The model is only 5'1", but it still gives you an idea of what I'm describing.

2) Take your tallit, which is around 48 inches. Fold it in half lengthwise, i.e. keep the atara straight, unfolded. You just turned it into a 24 inch tallit. Try it on.

By the way, I have seen Yemenites who wear their tallit this way every day. The Gemara speaks of taking your tallit and מתעטף yourself in it, which means wrap yourself. According to the Yemenite, and to some extent German, tradition, this means you wrap it around yourself, with the tzitzit in front. (I can't understand why Yemenite Jews don't simply buy a size 24 or 36 and save themselves a lot of money.) Most other Jews hold that you should have two tzitzit corners in front, and two in back.

Tallit Size Wizard>>>