How to Take Measurements

Suggestions:

• For best results, do not take measurements over your clothing. If you must, make sure that your clothing is tight and secure the tape measure snugly.
• The first time that you take your own measurements it is a good idea to measure a few times to make certain that your numbers are correct.
• It is best to have someone other than yourself take your measurements. If that's not an option we recommend measuring yourself while standing in front of a full length mirror. Use the small mirror to insure that the tape measure is straight along your backside.

 

 

Men:

Chest: Make sure to keep the tape measure high, just under your armpits, around the fullest part of your chest. Leave a little room by keeping a thumb on the inside of the tape. Do not pull the tape tight. Don’t puff out or flex your chest. Just stand normally.

Waist: Measure around your waist at about navel level. Leave a little room by keeping a thumb on the inside of the tape. Do not pull the tape tight.

Hip: Measure around the widest part of your hips. Leave a little room by keeping a thumb on the inside of the tape. Do not pull the tape tight.

Sleeve: With your arm at your side measure from the end of the shoulder joint to your desired sleeve length (typically one inch below the wrist.)

 

Women:

Bust: Measure your bust are by putting the tape measure under your arms and around your shoulder blades (tape measure should be straight across your back). Also make certain that the tape measure is over the fullest part of your bust which is usually the area that sticks out the most or right at the nipples. Leave a little room by keeping a thumb on the inside of the tape. Do not pull the tape tight.

Waist: Measure your waist by putting the tape measure around where your waist creases. To find your proper waist area, bend over and this is the crease mentioned in the last sentence. Also to note, the waist area is usually right above your belly button or the narrowest part of your waist. Leave a little room by keeping a thumb on the inside of the tape. Do not pull the tape tight.

Hips: Stand with your feet together and wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of your hips. This area is usually 7 to 9 inches below your waist. Leave a little room by keeping a thumb on the inside of the tape. Do not pull the tape tight.

Sleeve: Measure your arm length by placing the tape measure at the top of the shoulder and stretching it down to where your wrist meets your hand.

 

 

 

 

 

Children:

Height: Stand your child against a wall with her heels flat and bare feet to measure her height. Mark the top of the head, then measure from the mark to the floor. Measure the length of an infant by laying the child out along your tape measure. Have an extra set of hands available to get an accurate length measurement on an active baby.

Chest: Hold the tape measure parallel to the floor and wrap around the chest, under the arms. Take this measurement at the fullest part of the chest. Leave a little room by keeping a thumb on the inside of the tape. Do not pull the tape tight.

Waist: Measure the waist at the natural waistline, slightly above the navel. For an accurate measurement, measure around bare skin or over a thin undershirt, rather than pants. Leave a little room by keeping a thumb on the inside of the tape. Do not pull the tape tight.

Hip: Take the hip measurement at the fullest point of the hips and buttocks, holding the tape measure in a straight line parallel to the floor. Again, this measurement should be taken over thin underwear or leggings rather than thicker pants. Leave a little room by keeping a thumb on the inside of the tape. Do not pull the tape tight.