A good size chart is of little use if shoppers do not know how to take their measurements. People measuring themselves for the first time tend to pull the tape too tight, measure over clothes or in the wrong spot. The result is a measurement that matches no row in the chart.
This guide explains how to take the main measurements. It is written so it can be reused on the «How to measure» page of a fashion store.
Before you start
- Use a soft tailor's tape, not a rigid builder's tape.
- Measure in underwear or close-fitting clothes, not over jumpers or jeans.
- Keep the tape parallel to the floor and snug against the body, without pulling.
- If you can, ask someone to help: some measurements, such as shoulders, are hard to take alone.
- Write the measurements down in centimetres and round to the nearest half centimetre.
Chest
Wrap the tape around the fullest part of the chest, under the armpits and over the shoulder blades, with arms relaxed at your sides. Breathe normally: do not hold your breath.
Waist
The natural waist is the narrowest part of the torso, usually a few centimetres above the navel. For trousers, what matters is where the garment sits: for many styles that is lower, at the navel or below. A good guide states clearly which of the two measurements is needed.
Hips
With feet together, wrap the tape around the fullest part of the seat, keeping it horizontal.
Inseam
The inseam runs from the top of the inner thigh down to the ankle, along the inside of the leg. It is often easier to measure on a pair of trousers that fits well, from the crotch seam to the hem.
Shoulders and sleeve length
Shoulders are measured from one end to the other, across the back. The sleeve is measured from the end of the shoulder to the wrist, with the arm slightly bent.
The most common mistakes
- Pulling the tape tight to «look» smaller.
- Measuring over clothes.
- Mixing up the natural waist with the trouser waist.
- Using measurements taken years ago.
When shoppers do not want to measure
Many shoppers do not have a tape at home or do not want to use one. There are simpler ways for them: SizeFlow, for example, only asks for height, weight, age and gender, estimates body measurements from that data with a mathematical algorithm and compares them with the garment's size sheet. For people who need full measurements, as in made-to-measure, there is ScanFlow's guided smartphone scan.
To build the chart these measurements are compared with, see the guide on how to build a size chart. Details are on the SizeFlow and ScanFlow pages.
Read also: Free size chart generator
Frequently asked questions
How do you measure your waist?
The natural waist is the narrowest part of the torso, usually a few centimetres above the navel; for trousers what matters is where the garment sits, often lower.
Should you measure over clothes?
No: it is best to measure in underwear or close-fitting clothes, keeping the tape snug against the body without pulling.
Is there a way to pick a size without measuring?
Yes: SizeFlow only asks for height, weight, age and gender, estimates body measurements with a mathematical algorithm and compares them with the garment's size sheet.