How To Take Body Measurements

Posted on 27 January 2022

We all know that measuring yourself can be quite tricky. First of all, who on earth has got a measuring tape these days? Of course, unless you’re a stylist or a fashion designer, then you’re all set but for the rest of us, where can we even get one? However, that’s not the main issue, so let’s move on. Let’s look at the actual problem here – how does one actually take their body measurements?

In the world where clothing sizes are not always what they seem, it can be difficult to find the perfect fit. It is important to know measurements of different body parts in order to get the right size of your dress. But if this is an impossible task, you will need the right clothes shopping tips – not just any tips! Read on and learn some clever ones that can help you make better choices when the time comes to purchase new clothes. And don’t you worry. It’s not as scary as it seems. One would even probably say that it’s pretty straight-forward!

Now, to start off you’ll need (as mentioned before) an elastic measuring tape and a full-length mirror, so that you know you’re measuring yourself correctly. It’s just good practice! However, if you don’t have a full-length mirror, don’t panic. Use a smaller one instead and place it in such a way that you can see at least half of your body. This should work fine. And lastly, make sure you are wearing something form-fitting, as baggy clothing can affect the result of your measurement. Maintain a relaxed posture, don’t suck in your stomach, and keep your feet together, while breathing normally throughout the whole process.

Let’s start with the hips. It might get somewhat complicated, as we all know where our hips are, but the question is how do we measure that? Well, start by placing the end of your measurement tape on one hip, at the pointiest part. Pass it around your body and then back to the starting point. You may want to measure at your lower back if that is more comfortable for you. It's important that you take measurements across the fullest part of yourself in order to get an accurate reading and the best fit. Finally, don’t try not to slouch or bend while measuring (this is where the mirror comes in handy!) and make sure that the tape measure remains parallel with floor – this way you’ll get the most accurate reading. And remember, always try to write down your results and measure one more time, so that you know the reading is correct.

"If size mattered, the elephant would be the king of the jungle."

- Rickson Gracie

When it comes to measuring you bust, you must follow very similar steps. Again, this measurement should be taken around the fullest part of your chest when standing up straight with your arms at your sides and your feet together. Wrap the measuring tape around you bust, under your armpits – make sure it’s snug, but not too tight. Breathe normally, don’t take deep breaths as this way your measurement won’t be correct. For women, it’s important to be aware of the breast size changes during the month – pick an optimal day – for example, experts recommend measuring yourself during the last week or two of your menstrual cycle as this will give you more accurate sizing results. But of course, if you just cannot wait that long, make sure you remember about these changes.

Lastly, the waist. This is done the best on bare skin and in front of a mirror, as you will have to find your waist. Your waistline is somewhere halfway between your ribs and hips, a little above the belly button. It's the narrowest point on your body, so if you look in the mirror, most likely you will be able to spot it right away. If you bend to one side, the crease that forms will be where your natural waistline would be found. And that is where you want to measure. So, again, take your measuring tape and wrap it around your waist. Make sure that the measuring tape is not too loose or tight, and breathe normally. Depending on the bottoms you’re going to be shopping for (high-wasted or low-rise), you might want to measure that area too. As always, record your results, so you don’t forget your sizing.

And that is how you take your measurements! When you really think about it, it’s not that complicated, it just requires patience and precision. The most difficult part about it is probably figuring out where exactly to place the measuring tape, and the rest of it is pretty self-explanatory. You’ll never have to struggle with clothing sizes ever again. Happy shopping!

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