A lot of clothing catalogs and fitness programs ask you to take body measurements.You can do it yourself, but you need a soft measuring tape and someone to help you.It is important that the tape measure is snug but not tight.It should be possible to fit a finger under it.If you're buying men's clothing, the measurement you take will be different.
Step 1: The neck is where you start with shirts.
The collar tends to fall around the base of your neck.Wrap the end of the measuring tape around your neck until the ends meet.Take the measurement by pulling it tight.Round up to the smallest part of the body.
Step 2: Measure your chest at the widest part.
The widest part of your chest is where the tape measure should be.Wrap it around your back and make sure the tape measure stays horizontal.Don't pull it too tight against your skin.
Step 3: A friend should take a measurement.
It's hard to take by yourself because you need to measure from the middle of your back down to your arm.With your elbow at a right angle, place your hand on your hip.Your friend should run the tape measure across your shoulder and down your arm.Make sure the tape measure goes over your shoulder and elbow to get the full length.If you need to take this measurement yourself, try taping the end of the measuring tape in the middle of your back and gently guiding it down your arm.In a pinch, you could measure from the middle of your chest.
Step 4: Find your waist measurement.
Above your belly button and below your rib cage are where your natural waist is.Even if you wear your pants in a different place, take this measurement.Wrap the rest of the tape measure around the back to take the measurement.You can take a measurement where your pants normally fall if you wear low-rise pants.Place a finger between the tape measure and your waist to keep it loose.
Step 5: Take the width of your hips and the distance from your waist.
Stand with legs 6 inches apart.Wrap the tape measure around the widest part of your body.Measure from your waist to your hip.It may take a couple of tries to figure out the right place for the measuring tape because the widest part of the hips is different for everyone.
Step 6: You can check the size of your body parts.
If you're getting tailored clothing, these measurements are important.Take the measurement by wrapping the tape measure around the widest point.There are places that may want an ankle measurement.
Step 7: Take a measurement of your crotch.
Measure the crotch length by placing the end of the measuring tape at your waist in front, and then drawing the tape measure through your legs.If you put your finger on the tape, you'll get your crotch length.If you want crotch depth, sit down on a flat surface.Take a measurement from your waist to the surface.
Step 8: Find the measurement you need.
Put on a pair of shoes.You can measure from your inside crotch down to where you want your pants to fall with a friend.Pull it up to your crotch if you need to do it yourself.If you want to take a pair of pants that fit your length well, you can measure the inseam on them instead.
Step 9: The bust measurement is the first thing to do.
Put the end of the measuring tape on the front of your chest.Make sure the measuring tape doesn't twist up by wrapping it around your back.You want it to be horizontal around your body.Take the measurement by pulling your arms down over the tape.Ask a friend to help you with the measurement.
Step 10: If you need bra dimensions you should measure under your bust.
Take a measurement under your bust, keeping it horizontal and fairly tight, if you need to measure for a bra.Go to the nearest unit.If the number is even or odd, add 4 inches to your band size.If you measure 34.5, you add 5 inches to make it 40.To get your cup size, subtract your underbust measurement from your bust measurement.
Step 11: Measure a sleeve.
If you're shopping online, it can be helpful to know the sleeve measurement for women's clothing.Measure down to your wrist from the end of the tape measure.The sleeve should fall where you want it to fall.
Step 12: For tailored clothing, write down a shoulder measurement.
Draw the measuring tape across your back by placing it on the tip of one shoulder.Make sure the tape measure is straight across your back by finding it at the tip of the other shoulder.
Step 13: Look for your natural waist.
Your natural waist is usually just above your belly button and under your rib cage.Take the measurement in front if the tape measure is not flat around your body.Just in case, take a measurement if you wear pants lower.
Step 14: Measure your hip at the widest point.
Wrap the tape around your body to make sure you go over the widest part.Take the measurement in front of the measuring tape and keep the tape against your body.If the tape measure is not flat against you, look in a mirror.Stand with your legs apart.
Step 15: You can find the width of your thigh, knee and calf.
When buying ready-made clothing, these are not often found, but they are important for tailored clothing.Take the measurements by taking the tape around the leg at the widest point.If you want to take a crotch length measurement, you can use the tape measure from your natural waist in front, through your legs, and in the back.
Step 16: Take a measurement of the inseam.
This measurement goes from your crotch to where you want your pants to fall.It can be hard to take yourself, so grab a friend.You can get a measurement from a pair of pants that fit you well.If you would like to wear your pants longer, you may want to take a second measurement.If you don't have anyone to help you, you can take your inseam by measuring a pair of pants that fit the way you like.Measure from the center crotch down the pant leg to the inseam after laying the pants out flat.