How To Take Your Body Measurements For Shopping More Confidently Online
One of the simplest ways to get your clothing to look great is to make sure that it fits you correctly. While getting clothes tailored specifically to your body will always yield the best results, a lot of it starts with buying the right sizes.
However, when we’re shopping online, sometimes it can be incredibly difficult to know what size to order. Does the item run true to size? What does small, medium and large mean to this brand anyway? How tall is that model, and how do I know how her body compares to my body?
A better way to shop for clothing online is to shop not based on the sizes, but based on the measurements on the size chart provided by the retailer. This takes a lot of the guesswork out, since we have all agreed on how much an inch (or a centimeter) is.
There’s a few measurements that come in very handy when shopping online. Knowing these measurements on your own body will help you get the best fit right out the bag (literally!), and hopefully save you some money in future alterations.
WHAT YOU NEED:
A flexible measuring tape; or,
A ribbon or piece of yarn with a charm, button or bead running through it that does not slide too easily through it, and a measuring device (such as a ruler or construction measuring tape).
This is the best way to hold your measuring tape or ribbon to ensure one finger lays against your body.
KEY TIPS TO REMEMBER WHEN TAKING MEASUREMENTS:
What you wear matters when taking measurements. Wear underwear that first you properly and an unpadded bra, unless you are shopping for a specific item that requires a padded bra.
Measure after a full meal. This will ensure your clothing fits you no matter the situation.
Always keep the tape parallel to the floor. This is super important to ensure an accurate number.
Posture matters, so stand up straight when taking measurements.
Keep one finger between your body and the measuring tape to make sure your clothing does not fit too tightly.
Always measure twice to confirm your results.
I like to keep these measurements handy on the note app on my phone, so that I have them easily accessible when I’m shopping. I recommend revising them every year, or whenever you feel that your body has changed.
If you’re building a garment from scratch, you will need to measure your body in many ways. For shopping, however, you will just need the basics:
BUST: Stand with your feet hip width apart, arms relaxed at your sides, and measure the fullest part of your bust.
WAIST: Stand with your feet hip width apart, measure around the narrowest part of your torso. Take a deep breath in before taking the measurement (to ensure the garment fits you even if your lungs are full of air).
HIP: Stand with your feet together, measure around the fullest part of your hip.
INSEAM: From the crotch (bottom of pubic bone), to the opening of the pant leg down the center line. This measurement will vary widely depending on what you are shopping for, but it’s good to know the full length of pants that hit you right at the ankle. The easiest way to get this baseline is to measure the inseam of a pair of pants you already own that fits you really well.
SLEEVE: Hold the measuring tape at the most prominent bone at the base of your neck. Place your hand on your hip with your arm bent at 90 degrees. Measure from the back of your neck, across your shoulder and down your arm to the wrist.
CENTER BACK LENGTH: Tie something around your waist and measure from the most prominent bone at the base of your neck to the waist. You will very rarely need to shop for an item knowing this measurement, but it will give you an idea of where jackets and blouses hit for you.
Two additional measurements that are good for you to know that they mean, but pertain to the garment as opposed to your body:
BODY LENGTH: From that same point on your neck to the bottom of the back hem line. This is for dresses or coats, but keep in mind that some garments don’t fall parallel to the ground (asymmetrical lines).
SKIRT LENGTH: From the waist to the bottom of the back hem line of the skirt. Gives you an idea of how long or short a skirt will be for you, but keep in mind some skirts are meant to be worn at the hip and not the waist. Look at the reviews to know what the retailer is measuring.
Lastly, I recommend you check the size charts for the different cuts that the retailers offer (Petite, Tall, Curvy, etc.). If you often find that garments fit either too long or too short on your body, or pants have an odd gap at the back of your waist but they fit you perfectly at the hip, you may benefit from cuts that are meant for different proportions than the average. I recently discovered that curvy jeans fit me better, and let me tell you, it was a game changer.
Don’t forget to let me know in the comments what your favorite retailer is for shopping online, and if you have any questions, I am always reachable on Instagram or Twitter, @vazq_Fernanda.
I hope you enjoy this video, and that this improves your shopping experience. Thanks for watching!