Manufacturers' clothes are made according to standard sizes, but each company applies different standards. You can fit the clothes you want to buy if you come directly to the fashion store, but it's different if you buy clothes through a website. Therefore, learn how to measure your body so that the clothes you order can be worn. The results of this measurement can also be used if you want to ask a tailor to make or shrink clothes.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Understanding the Basic Theory of Body Measurement
Step 1. Allow the body to remain relaxed while being measured
Measurements are inaccurate, so the shirt doesn't fit snugly if you puff out your chest, contract your stomach, or contract your muscles. When wrapping the measuring tape around certain body parts, leave it a little loose so that the tape can be shifted left and right.
We recommend that someone else measure your body so that the body remains upright when measured
Step 2. Measure the bust at the widest part of the chest
Wrap the measuring tape around the chest with the largest circumference. Don't puff out your chest and let your body relax.
Step 3. Measure the waist circumference at the smallest part of the waist
Just like the steps above, do not deflate the stomach and let the body remain relaxed. Then, wrap the measuring tape around the smallest waist, but don't pull the tape so you can breathe.
Step 4. Measure your hip circumference at the widest part of your hips
Usually, the hip circumference is needed when buying or sewing a women's shirt, but some men's shirt models also require a hip circumference measurement. To find out your hip circumference, wrap a tape measure around the largest part of your hips, including your buttocks.
Step 5. Measure other body parts, such as neck circumference and arm length if needed
If you want to buy a men's shirt, take the time to measure other body parts, such as the neck and arms. These sizes may vary if you fit shirts from different brands or in multiple stores.
- To measure neck circumference: wrap a measuring tape around the neck near the collarbone. Loosen the measuring tape slightly by tucking 2 fingers behind the tape.
- To measure the sleeve length of a casual shirt: place the end of the measuring tape (number 0) on the outer edge of the shoulder, extend the measuring tape along the sleeve past the bulge of the elbow, then look at the number on the wrist or at the desired position of the cuff.
- To measure the sleeve length of a formal shirt: place the end of the tape measure (number 0) right in the middle of the nape of the neck at shoulder level, extend the tape measure along the shoulder and sleeve past the ridge of the elbow, then look at the number on the wrist or at the desired position of the cuff.
Step 6. Bring a note of body size when you want to buy a shirt
Arriving at the clothing store, ask for a shirt size chart available at the store, then compare your body size with the standard shirt sizes in the chart. Find out which shirt size fits your body size in the notes so you can buy a shirt that fits your body. Keep in mind that the sizes listed in the chart may differ in other stores. So, the size of your shirt depends on the shop you visit. For example, in the first store, your shirt size is M (medium), but in the second store, you need to wear a shirt in size L (large). If you don't have a shirt size chart in store, use a tape measure to find a shirt that fits you.
Method 2 of 2: Measuring a Regularly Wear Shirt
Step 1. Prepare a shirt that fits the body
The best way to find out your body size is to measure the shirt you wear every day and measure it according to the shirt you want to buy. Open your wardrobe, take out a shirt that fits your body, then put it on to make sure it's the size you want. When you find the right shirt, take it off so you can measure it.
This method uses men's shirts as an example, but you can measure other styles of tops
Step 2. Lay the shirt on a flat surface, then close all the buttons
Spread the shirt out on a table or floor, then smooth it out with your hands so there are no creases or creases in the fabric. Make sure all buttons are closed including collar and cuffs.
Step 3. Measure the chest width on the front of the shirt just below the armpit
Look for seams that join the sleeves to the shirt body on both sides of the shirt. Place a horizontal measuring tape on the front side of the shirt just below this seam. Make sure the end of the measuring tape (number 0) is in the left armpit, extend the measuring tape to the right armpit, then record the number.
Step 4. Measure the width of the waist on the shirt body with the two sides closest
In general, men's shirts also narrow at the waist. Determine the position of the waist on the shirt, then measure the distance between the left and right side seams.
Determining the position of the waist on a men's shirt is a bit difficult. The waist on women's shirts is usually curved so that its position is easier to determine
Step 5. Extend the measuring tape along the bottom edge of the shirt to measure the width of the shirt's hips
Place the end of the measuring tape (dot 0) on the bottom left corner of the shirt, then stretch it up to the bottom right corner. Make sure you measure from the seam on the left side of the shirt to the seam on the right. If the bottom edge of the shirt is curved, don't measure the curve. Extend the measuring tape in a horizontal and straight position.
The width of the shirt's hips is called the "seat"
Step 6. Measure the length of the back of the shirt from the collar to the bottom edge of the shirt
Turn the shirt over so the front side is down, then smooth it out with your hands so there are no creases or creases in the fabric. Place the end of the measuring tape just below the collar at the seam that joins the collar to the back of the shirt. Run the measuring tape along the back of the shirt to the bottom edge of the shirt, then record the number.
- If the bottom edge of the shirt is curved, extend the measuring tape to the bottom edge of the shirt that is curved.
- Make sure the measuring tape stays straight when measuring clothes. If the shirt is striped or plaid, use the vertical line down the middle of the back as a guide.
Step 7. Measure the back of the shirt from the left shoulder to the right shoulder
Flatten again the shirt that is placed on the table and make sure the back of the shirt is up. Place the end of the measuring tape on the outer edge of the left shoulder, then stretch it along the back of the shirt to the outer edge of the right shoulder. Don't forget to write down the numbers.
- The outer hem of the shoulder is the seam that joins the sleeve to the body of the shirt.
- The top of the back of the shirt that is measured to find out the width of the back is called the "yoke".
Step 8. Measure the length of the sleeve from the shoulder to the cuff
Place the end of the measuring tape on the outer end of the shoulder that is connected to the sleeve of the shirt. Extend the measuring tape along the sleeve to the end of the cuff, then record the number. If you are measuring short sleeves, extend the tape measure up to the hem of the shirt sleeve.
To measure the sleeve length of a formal shirt, place the end of the measuring tape in the center of the back of the collar
Step 9. Spread the collar and cuffs on the table before measuring
Unbutton the collar, spread the collar on the table, then flatten it by hand. Place the measuring tape just above the seam holding the button in the collar, then stretch it to the center of the buttonhole on the collar. Record the numbers. Do the same for measuring the cuff.
- So that the collar and cuffs are not too small, you should measure to the outside of the buttonhole.
- If you're using a short sleeve shirt, the collar is measured the same way.
Step 10. Record the shirt size according to the tailor's request
The shirt size described above is the minimum data that a tailor must know. Sometimes, he needs other data, such as the circumference of the biceps, elbows, and forearms. Make sure you provide the full shirt size on request.
Step 11. Take your shirt size note with you when you go to the fashion store
Many stores provide shirt size charts. Compare the sizes in the notes with the chart so you can buy a shirt that fits you. Keep in mind that the sizes listed in the chart may differ in other stores. So, the size of your shirt depends on the shop you visit. For example, in the first store, your shirt size is M (medium), but in the second store, you need to wear a shirt in size L (large). If you don't have a shirt size chart in store, use a tape measure to find a shirt that fits you.
Tips
- If you want to buy clothes on a website, read the product information carefully. Some stores or clothing brands ask shoppers to choose products that are a few centimeters larger than their body size.
- Some tailors offer the option of ordering clothes that fit the body (slim fit) or slightly loose (loose fit). Find out the instructions given by the seller because sometimes, you need to increase/decrease a certain size.
- If you want to buy clothes for a small child, remember that he is still in his infancy. So, buy clothes that are a bit large in size.
- Make sure you measure your body accurately. Do not round up or down, except at the request of the tailor.
- When measuring the body, stand as usual in a relaxed state. The measurement results may be wrong if you puff out your chest or deflate your stomach.
- If you're buying a T shirt, find out the size using an existing t-shirt that fits perfectly, instead of using a shirt.
