To ensure proper fit when buying clothing online or off the rack, it’s important to know your basic suit measurements. No need to enlist a professional—you can take them yourself with a fabric tape measure and the help of a friend.
MEASURING FOR A SHIRT
Neck
Measure around your neck at the level your shirt collar would sit. You should not feel restricted by the tape for a comfortable fit, and should be able to put your index finger inside the tape.
Shoulders
Measure from the end of your left shoulder to the end of your right shoulder. This measurement should be equal to the desired width of the shirt’s shoulders.
Chest
Measure horizontally around the chest roughly at nipple level, under the armpits, and over your shoulder blades. You should only just be able to feel the tape on your chest. Do not over-inflate your chest but stand normally, you should be able to fit your index finger in between the tape and your chest. This measurement is a body measurement and there will be an allowance added to it to make your shirt, the allowance will be added according to the fit that you choose.
Waist
Measure horizontally around your stomach at the level of the bottom of the ribcage. As a guide this measurement will be where you are widest. Allow some room for breathing/movement.
Sleeves
Measure from where the seams on the shoulder meet to where you want the sleeve to end including the cuff. We recommend that the sleeve should go 3 inches below your wrist joint to allow for movement. For custom clothing we always take the right and left measurements because let's face it, we are not always perfectly symmetrical.
Front Length
Measure vertically down the front or your shirt from the seam of the collar to where you would like your shirt to end. For sport shirts that are going to be worn untucked this is typically 4-7 inches below the top of your belt. For dress shirts that will be tucked in this is typically 6-9 inches below the top of your belt.
Back Length
Measure vertically down the front or your shirt from the seam of the collar to where you would like your shirt to end. For sport shirts that are going to be worn untucked this is typically 5-9 inches below the top of your belt. For dress shirts that will be tucked in this is typically 7-10 inches below the top of your belt.
MEASURING FOR A SUIT OR JACKET
Neck
Measure around your neck at the level your shirt collar would sit. You should not feel restricted by the tape for a comfortable fit, and should be able to put your index finger inside the tape.
Shoulders
Measure from the end of your left shoulder to the end of your right shoulder. This measurement should be equal to the desired width of the jacket’s shoulders.
Chest
Measure horizontally around the chest roughly at nipple level, under the armpits, and over your shoulder blades. You should only just be able to feel the tape on your chest. Do not over-inflate your chest but stand normally, you should be able to fit your index finger in between the tape and your chest. This measurement is a body measurement and there will be an allowance added to it to make your jacket, the allowance will be added according to the fit that you choose.
Waist
Measure horizontally around your stomach at the level of the bottom of the ribcage. As a guide this measurement will be where you are widest. Allow some room for breathing/movement.
Sleeve Outseam
Measure from where the seams on the shoulder meet to where you want the sleeve to end. The measurement you input will be the measurement of your jacket sleeve. We recommend that the sleeve should go to the base of your thumb located at the wrist joint
Front Length
Measure vertically down your front from just next to the collar on your jacket, where the seam is on your shoulder, to where you would like the jacket to end. If you are unsure of the perfect length it is generally accepted to be where your knuckles are with your arms naturally hanging down. Use a jacket you like as a guide.
Back Length
Measure vertically from the collar seam to the bottom of the jacket.
MEASURING FOR PANTS
Waist
This measurement is taken at the top of the hipbone over shirt (not over pants). The tape measure should be held snug not tight.
Seat
Measure from the end of your left shoulder to the end of your right shoulder. This measurement should be equal to the desired width of the jacket’s shoulders.
Outseam
Measure vertically from the upper edge of the waistband to the bottom of the leg.
Inseam
Measure from the lowest part of the crotch of your trousers (not jeans), keeping the measure taut, down to where you wish the bottom of the trousers to end. Please bear in mind the fit you want over the shoe as this will affect the desired length.
Hips
Measure across the base of the zipper from edge to edge then double the number
Front rise
Measure from the crotch seam to the top of the front waistband
Back Rise
Measure from the crotch seam to the top of the back waistband.
Thigh
Empty your pockets, then measure around the thigh of your trousers (no jeans) at the widest point (usually as high as you can go without it getting embarrassing), you should be able to fit your index finger in behind the tape measure. This is a skin measurement and should be taken just below the crotch.
Ankle
Trouser bottoms should ideally harmonise with your body and the model of the rest of your look. To do this simply lie them flat, measure one side and then double the measurement. As a guide 12 inches can be construed as extra slim, 14 inches is slim, 16 is standard, and 18 is classic.