Whether you’re purchasing something online or having something altered, knowing your measurements – including your bust, waist, hip, seam, shoulder width and sleeve length – is key to having perfectly fitted clothing. And having your clothes sitting just right can really make the difference between looking good and looking great in a piece of clothing.
But how do you ensure you have your measurements right? We’ll walk you through how to take each of your measurements in this comprehensive guide.
Measurements are so often taken for granted, but they are a crucial part of so many aspects of life. Take medicine for example. If you have an illness that requires medication, you must ensure you take the proper amount to get better. When you bake, you have to carefully distribute ingredients to ensure just the right taste and texture. And then there’s temperature – you wouldn’t dunk a teabag in warm water now, would you? Similarly, getting your body’s measurements right helps your clothing do what it was intended to do: it gives you the recipe required to look your best.
Measurements in clothing have become even more important in recent years, thanks to our growing love of online shopping. Whether you buy them from a big box store or a custom clothier, shopping online can save you a ton – but you do run the risk of purchasing something that’s not the right fit.
Most people have a rough idea of what size they are (an 8, 10, 12, 14 for example, or a small, medium, or large). But to shop online without the fear that you’ll be forced to return your goods you must have more accurate knowledge of your size and shape. Remember, one company’s size 10 is another company’s size 8, with some labels and designers purposefully using sizes to make customers feel better about themselves and more loyal to a brand.
The more you know about your body, the better you can dress it. Keep your measurements written down, and refer to them when shopping or ordering custom-made apparel.