Knowing your bust, waist, and hip measurements is essential to getting clothes that are designed to fit perfectly. Other measures, including inseam (length from groin to ankle), shoulder width, and arm length, are types of measurements that are rarely used but are nonetheless useful to note. See Step 1 and the next section for instructions on how to measure your body, so you can know the right size when you shop for clothes online or order your own clothes.
Step
Method 1 of 6: Measuring Bust and Bra Size
Step 1. Stand with your back straight in front of a long mirror
Standing with good posture is the key to getting an accurate body measurement.
Step 2. Wrap the tape measure around your chest, around your back and shoulder blades, and back under your arms
In addition to having to be looped around the fullest part of the chest, the tape measure must be straight and parallel to the floor.
Step 3. The loops of the tape measure should meet in the middle of the front of the chest
Tuck your thumb under the tape measure and take care not to pull the tape too tight, because if it's too tight you'll end up with the wrong size. Write down the size you get on the paper using a pencil.
Step 4. Wrap the tape measure around your chest, just below your bust or where the bottom of your bra is usually attached (the measurement of your lower chest circumference)
Take note of the size you get.
Step 5. Calculate your bra size
To find out what size bra you are wearing, measure your bust circumference and the bottom of your chest when you are wearing a bra. Round off the number you get from your bust measurement, then subtract this number from your lower chest circumference. For example, if your bust is 91cm and your bust is 86cm, then the subtraction is 5cm. Add approximately one cup size for every 2.54cm difference.
A difference of 2.54cm means the size of the bra cup is A. A difference of 5.08cm means the size of the bra cup is B. A difference of 7.62cm means that the size of the bra cup is C, then a difference of 10, 16cm means that the size of the bra cup is D, and so on
Method 2 of 6: Measuring Waist and Hip Circumference
Step 1. Wear only underwear and stand in front of a long mirror
To get the correct waist measurement, make sure the hem of your underwear is not at the waist. You will need to remove it if so.
Step 2. Find the curve of your waist
When you're standing straight, bend forward or to the side and see which side of your body is folded. This part is called the waist, which is the smallest part of your torso and is generally located between your ribs and your belly button.
Step 3. Wrap the tape measure around the waist
The tape should be parallel to the floor. Do not hold your breath or contract your stomach. Keep your body in a comfortable standing position to get the right size. Make sure you don't wrap the tape too tightly.
Step 4. Record the size
Look at the measurement numbers in the mirror or look down carefully while keeping your back straight. Record the numbers you get on paper.
Step 5. Loop the tape measure around your hips and buttocks
Typically, the pelvis is located about 17.8-22.9cm below your waist. The tape measure must remain parallel to the floor.
Step 6. The loops of the tape measure should meet in front, exactly in the middle
Make sure the tape is not looped too tightly.
Step 7. Record the size you get
Look at the numbers in the mirror or bend your head to look directly, without moving your legs that are standing straight. Record the size you get on paper.
Method 3 of 6: Measuring Your Body Part to Find Out Your Pants Size
Step 1. Measure the inseam length, or the measurement from the groin to the ankle
This size is used to determine the size of pants, materials and other types of pants, and is very useful in determining the best trouser length for you to wear. Remember, make sure you also consider the height of your heels. Ask a friend for help if you can; but if no one is there to help, choose the jeans that best fit your foot shape to measure your inseam.
- Measure the inside of the foot. Ask a friend to help measure the length of your foot, from the ankle to the inner groin using a tape measure. You should be standing with your feet straight when you are being measured.
- If you're wearing jeans, extend the tape measure from the hem at the ankle, then straight up to the bottom of the groin area.
- Take note of the size you get. Round the numbers and write them down on paper.
Step 2. Measure your thighs
This size is often used to determine the size of stockings and pants that are specially ordered.
- Stand in front of a mirror with your feet slightly apart.
- Wrap the tape measure around the widest part of your thigh. The tape measure should be parallel to the floor and looped tightly, but don't pull the tape so tight it presses against your thigh.
- The meter circle should meet again in front of the thigh.
- Take note of the size you get. Look at the numbers in the mirror or by looking down, but don't move your feet and tape measure. Record the number on paper.
Step 3. Measure the rise, which is the length of the measurement from the groin to the waist of the pants
This size is especially used for certain types of formal pants.
- Stand in front of a mirror with your back straight and your legs slightly apart.
- Hold one end of the tape measure in the middle of the back of the waist.
- Gently pull the tape measure between your legs and groin, positioning the other end of the tape in the middle of the front of the waist.
- Look at the size in a mirror or by bending your head without changing your posture.
- Record the numbers you get on paper.
Method 4 of 6: Measuring Body Parts to Find Out the Size of the Top
Step 1. Measure the length of your arm
This size is used to determine the size of several types of formal, professional, and custom-made tops.
- Ask a friend to help measure.
- Stand with your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle, palms resting on your hips.
- Instruct your friend to hold the end of the tape measure in the middle of the nape of the neck. Then, ask your friend to extend the tape measure all the way to the outside of the shoulders, and down toward the elbows and wrists. This size is one size in full; so, do not divide the size.
- Write down the numbers you get on paper with a pencil.
Step 2. Measure your upper arm
Use this size when you order a custom top or dress that fits your body size.
- Stand in front of a mirror with your arms stretched out.
- Wrap the tape measure around the widest part of the upper arm. The band should be looped tightly enough, but not pressed into the arm.
- Record the size you get. Look at the numbers in the mirror or by turning your head, without moving your hands or the tape measure.
Step 3. Measure your shoulder width
This size is often requested when you order custom-made tops, blazers, and dresses.
- Stand in front of a long mirror with your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.
- Extend the tape measure from the outer corner of one shoulder to the outer corner of the other shoulder. The tape measure must be parallel to the floor.
- Look at the numbers in the mirror or bend your head carefully to see the measurements on the tape measure without changing your posture.
- Record the numbers on paper with a pencil.
Step 4. Measure the length of the lower shoulder
This hidden size can be used to make custom-made tops, blazers and dresses.
- Stand in front of a long mirror with your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.
- Extend the tape measure down the center of the shoulder blade, just under one arm and under the other. This size is also the length of the measurement that connects the center of one armhole (on the shirt) and the other armhole. The tape should be stretched parallel to the floor.
Step 5. Measure the length of the front of the body
This size can be used to make custom-made tops, blazers and dresses.
- Ask a friend for help.
- Stand in front of a long mirror with your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.
- Instruct your friend to hold one end of the tape measure over the shoulder, at the base of the neck.
- Instruct your friend to extend the tape measure back and forth, across the chest to the waist.
- Record the numbers on paper with a pencil.
Step 6. Measure the length of your back
This size can be used to make custom-made tops, blazers and dresses.
- Ask a friend for help.
- Stand in front of a long mirror with your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.
- Instruct your friend to hold one end of the tape measure in the middle of the two shoulders, from the top of the shoulder.
- Then, ask your friend to extend the tape measure down, toward the waist.
- Write down the size numbers on the paper with a pencil.
Method 5 of 6: Measuring Body Parts to Find Out Dress and Skirt Size
Step 1. Measure the length of your dress
Just as the name suggests, this size can be used to determine the size of the dress you want to buy or make at a tailor.
- Ask a friend for help.
- Stand in front of a long mirror with your back straight and your feet together.
- Get your friend to hold one end of the tape measure in the middle of the top of the shoulder.
- Then, ask your friend to extend the tape measure along the front of your body, past the busiest part of your chest and then down to your knee or desired hem line.
- Record the number on paper.
Step 2. Measure the length of your skirt
This size can be used to determine the size of the skirt you want to buy or make at a tailor.
- Ask a friend for help.
- Stand in front of a long mirror with your back straight and your feet together.
- Get your friend to hold one end of the tape measure in the middle of your waist.
- Then, ask your friend to extend the tape measure down toward your desired knee or hem line.
- Record the size number on the paper.
Method 6 of 6: Measuring Height
Step 1. Stand barefoot or with only socks on, feet flat on the floor
Give a little distance between the legs then straighten your back and stick it against the wall.
Step 2. Ask a friend to help you measure your height, from the back of your heel to the top of your head
The tape measure must not be angled and perpendicular to the floor.
If you are measuring your own height without help from someone else, hold a book or other object with a flat, rigid surface above your head. Use a pencil to mark the bottom side of the book, exactly where it is against the wall. Step away from the wall and measure your body length from the floor to the mark you made
Step 3. Record the size with the other measurements
Tips
- If you feel more comfortable, you can ask a clothing store, specifically the women's section of underwear, or a lingerie store, to measure your bra size. Many women have difficulty measuring their own bra size.
- Ask a professional seamstress to take your exact body measurements if you have any doubts about the accuracy of your measurements.
- Take measurements a few days before or after your period, because at that time the water content in the body is usually heavier.
- Take measurements of yourself after a heavy meal, such as after lunch or dinner, so you get the right size to make clothes that fit comfortably.
