How to Take Body Measurements for Perfect Fit
Open the form here to record your measurements as you take them.
Taking accurate body measurements is the key to a great fit. All you need is a tape measure! While it's easiest to have someone else take your measurements, it can be done by yourself. Just stand in front of a mirror so that you can see that you have the tape in the right position.
Ideally, you should be measured wearing only your undergarments. However, a leotard or close-fitting clothing will be fine. Do NOT measure yourself wearing loose clothes, sweats, or other bulky clothing. It DOES make a difference!
Because the body is made of soft tissue, it can be a bit difficult to know exactly how tight to pull the tape around the body. The tape should be a bit snug, but not tight - it should not "dig in" or make an indentation in the body. It should not be loose, either! Just wrap the tape around the area of the body being measured and hold it in place. You should be able to put a finger under the tape, but no more than that.
Okay, lets’s begin.
Shirt Length - Measure from the highest point of the shoulder to the desired length of the shirt
a. Crop - crop tops
b. Short length - for standard button downs and shirt
c. Medium length - for jackets/blazers/oversized shirts
d. Long - for robes/long coats
2. Shoulder Width: Span the tape from one shoulder's edge to the other, across the back of the neck
3. Upper Back Width: Position the tape slightly lower than for the shoulder width, across the upper back.
4. (Cross) back width: Keep moving the tape towards the bottom of your armhole and measure the back width
5. Upper Chest Width: move your arms up and Wrap the tape under the armpits and around the chest. Relax arms and measure.
6. Full Chest width: Measure around the chest at its fullest point, usually over the bust.
7. Lower chest width: This is for women only. Measure right under your bust, the under part of your chest.
8. Mid Top Waist: measure around the narrowest part of the waist (above belly button)
9. Lower Top Waist: Move the tape slightly lower below the belly button and measure the waist around there
10. Hips: Measure around the widest part of your hips.
11. Sleeves: start from the base of the shoulder and measure the desired length
a. Short - for short sleeve. For oversized shirts add +1.5-2 inches
b. 3/4ths - for kimonos/kurtis
c. Long - for long sleeve. this usually goes a little beyond the wrist.
12. Bicep Around: - measure around your bicep at its fullest point. This is pretty close to your armpit.
13. Armhole: put the tape around your shoulder and armpit.
14. Neck Around/Neck Depth
Neck around for standard shirts: Put the tape around the neck to measure the circumference of neck
Neck depth for dresses/gowns: start from the top of the shoulder and measure the point where you want the neck cut or the first button to be
15. Bottoms Length - Measure from the point where you will be wearing these pants to the desired length
a. Shorts
b. High Ankle Pants
c. Long Pants
16. Waist: measure from the part of the waist where you will be wearing these pants
17. Thigh: measure around the widest part of the thigh
18. Knee: measure around the knee
19. Ankle: measure around the ankle
20. Crotch: Hold the measuring tape from your waistline so it goes through your legs. Press the end of the measuring tape at the front of your waist and pull the tape through your legs so it goes around the curve of your bottom. Grab the tape and pull it to the back waist so the tape feels snug all along your crotch. Pinch the tape so you can read this length measurement.