How to Measure
Womenswear
Bust & Bra size
With your arms relaxed at your sides, measure around your back at the fullest part of the bust, keeping the tape parallel to the ground.
As well as measuring around the fullest part of your bust, you need to measure around your back underneath your bust. Don’t forget, for both these measurements it’s important to keep your tape measure parallel to the ground. Once you have the two figures refer to the table here to find out your bra size.
It’s important to remember that bra sizes do vary from brand to brand. To make sure your bra fits you perfectly, take a look at this guide.
- The cups should not be baggy. If they are, try going down a cup size. If the cups are creasing around the nipple, however, try going down a back size to pull the fabric taut.
- Spilling out over the tops or sides of your cups won't make your breasts look bigger. It just means that you're wearing too small a cup size.
- A bra's main support comes from the band, not the straps. So if your band size is too big, your straps will end up taking the weight, causing them to dig in.
- Look in the mirror side-on. Your bra band should be at the same level all the way round. If it's riding up at the back, you probably need a smaller band size.
- While your bra band should feel tight and firm, there should be enough space to insert two fingers under the back band, and one under the centre front.
- When you buy a new bra, make sure that it fits properly on the loosest hook. A bra can grow up to four inches with washing and wear, so you might need to tighten it later on.
- The centre front of your bra should lie flat against the breastbone. If it doesn't, it's telling you to go up a cup size.
- Check the wire at the side of the bra. It should sit on the ribcage, without digging into any of the breast.
- To see what shape a new bra will give you, try it on under a tight fitting t-shirt. Look at yourself from all angles to check you get a smooth line with no unwanted bulges.
- Stretch out and flap your arms. You want to know your bra's comfortable when you move.
Hips
Stand with your feet together and measure around the fullest part of your hips, keeping the tape parallel to the ground.
Inside Leg
First find some trousers that fit you, ideally in a similar material to those you want to buy. Measure the inside of the trouser leg from the crotch to the bottom and round the measurement to the nearest half-inch
Menswear
Chest
Raise your arms slightly and measure around your chest at the underarm point. Making sure you keep the tape parallel to the ground. This measurement will apply to blazers, shirts, sweaters, coats etc.
Waist
We all wear our trousers at different heights, so measure round where your trousers usually fall.
Neck
Measure around the middle of your neck at the Adam's apple and your shirt will fit like a peach.
Inside Leg
First find some trousers that fit you, ideally in a similar material to those you want to buy. Measure the inside of the trouser leg from the crotch to the bottom and round the measurement to the nearest half-inch.
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