How to measure yourself for clothes: bust, waist, hips and inside leg

Clothing sizes are meant to be based on the body, not the garment. The European standard EN 13402 says so directly, and gives sizes in centimetres. Its body measurements, and those of the international standard ISO 8559-1, are what brands start from. But every brand draws its own chart (Simplicity), so the goal is a set of accurate numbers you can hold against any chart.

How to take your measurements

1. Measure round the fullest part of the bust or chest.

   

   Measure round the fullest part of the bust, high under the arms and straight across the back (NMSU Extension). For men's sizes this is the chest.

   For sewing patterns, also measure the high bust: right under the arms, above the bust. Simplicity says that if your bust is 2½ inches (about 6 cm) or more bigger than your high bust, choose the pattern by your high bust instead.

   You should see: in the mirror, the tape level across your back, not riding up between the shoulder blades.

2. Measure your waist along the string.

   

   Measure along your string, snugly. The catch is that brands don't all mean the same place: see where brands put the waist.

   These usually land close together. If the brand's chart says how it measures, follow that. If you want jeans to sit lower, also measure where you wear them.

   You should see: the tape lying on the string all the way round, without pulling it in.

3. Measure round the fullest part of your hips.

   

   Measure round the fullest part of your hips and seat, keeping the tape level (NMSU Extension, Levi's). This is usually 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 inches) below the waist (NMSU Extension).

   If you're not sure whether you're widest at the hips or the upper thigh, measure both and use the larger number (NMSU Extension).

   You should see: from the side in a mirror, the tape level and round the widest part of your seat (NMSU Extension).

4. Measure the inside leg (inseam).

   

   There are two ways. The easier one: lay a pair of trousers that fit you well flat on a table and measure along the inside seam, from the crotch seam to the hem (Uniqlo describes this for men's trousers).

   On the body, a helper measures from the top of your inner thigh down to the bottom of your ankle (Levi's), or to where you want the trousers to end (Uniqlo). Stand straight with your shoes off.

   You should see: four numbers on your paper: bust or chest, waist, hips and inside leg, with the date.

5. Check what the brand's chart measures, then pick the size.

   

   First check what the chart measures. Some are body measurements; others are garment measurements, taken on the clothes themselves, for example across the chest from armpit to armpit on a top laid flat (Uniqlo). A garment chart is usually bigger than your body by the ease the design needs.

   Then use the measurement that decides the fit for that garment: see which measurement decides the size.

   You should see: one size on the chart that matches the measurement that matters most for the garment.

Where brands put the waist

Which measurement decides the size

If the size still doesn't fit

Before washing new clothes, check the care label so they don't shrink: see how to read clothing care labels.