How to take measurements
Neck
Keeping the tape snug and passing over the slight hollow at the base of the neck, measure the distance round your neck.
2. Shoulders
Stretch the tape across your shoulders from shoulder bone to shoulder bone.
3. Back
Pulling the tape measure taut the distance from the point where your neck meets your shoulder to your waist.
It helps to tie up a thin tape around the waist to know the length from the base of the neck to the waist.
4. Front
Measure the distance from your shoulder, where it meets your neck, to your waist, passing over your bust. Do not pull the tape taut, let it lie loosely.
Point C – This indicates the height of your bust and can be measured while the front measurement is being recorded.
It helps to tie up a thin tape around the waist to know the length from the base of the neck to the waist.
5. Shoulder slope
Measure from the end of your shoulder to your waist.
6. Armhole
Measure from the end of the shoulder to the armpit, keeping the tape straight. Allow an extra couple of centimetres below the armpit.
7. Upper bust
Pass the tape right round the body, under your arms and above your bust. Do not pull the tape taut.
8. Bust
Note: Only the front bust is needed
From the left armpit to the right armpit, passing over the most prominent part of your bust. This only includes your front/bust area; please do not include your back.
We need to imagine a side-line of the body, normally the side seams of a tight shirt or the rib of the bra are reliable sideline indicators.
The measurement must go from the sideline of the body under the armpit passing over the most prominent part of the bust, in a horizontal line.
9. Waist
The waist is where your body bends, just above the belly button. Pass the tape right around your waist, keeping it taut.
10. Height of hips
(This does not refer to your bones.) Measure the distance from your waist to the most prominent part of your buttocks. This is normally at the base of the backbone. (Include “saddlebags” if you have them.)
11. Hip circumference
At the point identified in “Height of hips” pass the tape measure around your hips, leaving it loose enough to insert a finger.
12. Knee length
From your waist to your knee (the middle of the knee, not above or below it). Full length: from your waist to the length of skirt you want.
13. Lower waist
If you do not want the waistband of the skirt to sit on your waist, say how many cm or inches below your waist it should be.
14. Total length of arm
From A to C: with your arm slightly bent measure from the end of your shoulder (A) to your wrist (C), passing through your elbow (B)
15. Upper arm circumference
Run the tape round the thickest part of the upper arm. Do not pull it taut (leave room to insert a finger).
16. Wrist
Measure the circumference of your wrist for a close fit or use the width of your hand for a looser style.
17. Underarm length
From your armpit to your wrist, keeping your arm straight and the tape taut.
Measurements form
Please copy and paste the form below into your word processor and then fill it in with your measurements. When you've finished, you can send it to me by pasting it into my contact form.
Body type ______ ______ (According to the diagrams below – for example, 2D)
Back/shoulders
______ Neck
______ Back length
______ Shoulders
______ Shoulder slope ____ Armhole
______ Upper bust
______ Waist
______ Hip height
______ Hip circumference
______ Length to knee
______ Full length
Front
______ Length ______ Height of bust ______ Bust
Sleeves
______ Length to elbow ______ Total length
______ Under arm length
______ Arm circumference
______ Wrist circumference
Comments (possible variations according to individual preferences):
______________________________________________
Body type diagram
Measurements needed for custom pants or shorts
Waist, natural waist is were your body folds on one side. Pass the tape right round your waist, keeping it taut.
Height of hips or abdomen (this does not refer to your bones.) Measure the distance from your waist to the most prominent part of your buttocks. This is normally at the base of the backbone. (Include “saddlebags” if you have them.)
Hip circumference
At the point identified in “Height of hips” pass the tape measure round your hips leaving it loose enough to insert a finger.
Thigh, pass the tape right round your thigh.
Knee, pass the tape right around your knee, slightly folded.
Calf, pass the tape right around your calf.
Full length or waist to hem length, from your waist to the length of pants you want.
Crotch length, pass the tape from the waist front to the waist back between the legs.
Crotch depth, form the waist to the seat, keeping the tape taut.
