How to Take Your Body Measurements for Clothes

By Helen Davis  •   3 minute read

how to take your body measurements when shopping online

This article is sponsored by Curveez and contains affiliate links.

Hey ladies! Shopping for clothes online can be tricky, especially when you're looking for figure-hugging pieces like bodycon dresses, two-piece sets, and tight-fitting pants and skirts. To make sure you get the right fit, it's important to measure your body accurately and compare your measurements to the size chart provided by the online retailer.

Here are some tips on how to measure your body for clothes:

  • Use a soft, flexible measuring tape. A hard or stiff tape measure can be uncomfortable and make it difficult to get accurate measurements.
  • Wear form-fitting clothing or undergarments. This will help to ensure that your measurements are accurate and not affected by loose-fitting clothing.
  • Stand up straight and breathe normally. Don't suck in your stomach or arch your back, as this will give you inaccurate measurements.
  • Ask a friend or family member to help you. This is especially helpful for measuring hard-to-reach areas like your back or shoulders.

Here are the measurements you'll need to take:

  • Bust: Wear a comfortable, supportive bra and stand up straight with your arms at your sides. Wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of your bust, making sure it's straight across your back and not too tight or too loose. The tape measure should be parallel to the floor.
  • Natural waist: This is the narrowest part of your waist, typically an inch or two above your belly button. It is usually where your body bends. Bend side to side to identify where to measure. Don't suck your stomach in. Wrap the measuring tape around your waistline, making sure it's snug but not too tight. 
  • Hips: Stand up straight with your feet together. Wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of your hips, making sure it's straight and parallel to the floor.

How to Measure for Dresses:

Stand up straight with your arms at your sides and wear the undergarments you plan to wear with the dress. Measure from the top of your shoulder to the desired length of the dress.

How to Measure for Two-Piece Top and Bottom Sets:

Measure the length of your torso by starting at the base of your neck and measuring down to your natural waistline. For the bottoms, measure the length from your natural waistline to your desired length, whether that be ankle-length or mid-thigh. 

How to Measure for Pants and Jeans:

When measuring for pants or jeans, you'll need to measure your waist, hips, inseam, and rise.

  • Waist: Wrap the tape measure around the narrowest part of your waist, typically an inch or two above your belly button.
  • Hips: Wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of your hips, making sure it's straight and parallel to the floor.
  • Inseam: Measure from the crotch to the ankle bone on the inside of your leg.
  • Rise: Measure from the crotch to the top of the waistband.

How to Measure for Skirts:

To measure for a skirt, you'll follow the same steps as measuring for a dress. Measure the length of the skirt by measuring from your natural waistline to your desired length, whether that be knee-length, midi-length, or ankle-length.

How to Measure for Tops:

Measure the length of the top by measuring from the base of your neck to the hemline. If you're shopping for a crop top, measure from the base of your neck to the bottom hem of the top.


Tips for Accurate Measurements:

  • Use a soft, flexible measuring tape that can easily wrap around your body without causing discomfort.
  • Wear form-fitting clothing or undergarments that won't add extra bulk or affect the measurements.
  • Stand up straight and breathe normally, avoiding any unnatural or slouching postures.
  • Ask a friend or family member to assist you with taking the measurements, especially for hard-to-reach areas like the back or shoulders.
  • Size up if you fall between sizes.

Here are some additional tips for getting accurate measurements:

  • Take your measurements at the same time of day each time. Your measurements may vary slightly throughout the day, so it's best to take them at the same time each time.
  • Take your measurements multiple times. This will help to ensure that you get accurate measurements.

When it comes to buying clothes, the right fit is everything. With these tips in mind, you'll be able to measure your body accurately and get the perfect fit every time you shop for clothes online. Happy shopping!

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