So, you’ve bought that great outfit, waited for the postie and it’s finally arrived but… it doesn’t fit!
What went wrong? You bought the size you always buy; how could this happen? The fact is that many brands have their unique size standard so to get that perfect fit when purchasing online, you have to know your body measurements. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to measure yourself so you can find the perfect clothing for your body type.
Here's what you need to do:
Think… How do you want the garment to fit?
When taking measurements for a garment, it is important to first decide how you want the garment to fit. If you want a tight, fitted look, you will want to take your measurements down. However, if you want a more relaxed, oversized look, you will want to increase the measurements. Keep this in mind when taking your measurements and choose the ones that will best suit your desired look.
First, you'll need a flexible tape measure. If you don't have one, you can use a string or ribbon and then measure it with a regular ruler. Just make sure that the string is held tightly against your body while you're measuring.
How to measure your body.
Bust - Stand up straight and relaxed, and start by measuring your chest circumference. Wrap the tape measure around your chest at the widest point, making sure that it's level all the way around. Make a note of the number and move on to your waistline measurement.
Waistline - Wrap the tape measure around your natural waistline - generally speaking, this is about an inch above your belly button. Again, make sure that the tape measure is level all the way around and make a note of the number. If you wear high-waisted pants you should measure your belly button.
Arms - Measure from the tip of your shoulder to your wrist. Depending on where you want the sleeve to fall, you may need a friend to help hold the tape in place on your shoulder.
Hips - Wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of the hips and buttocks. The tape measure should be level, and the number noted.
Now that you have your measurements, you can refer to size charts from most online stores to find clothing that will fit you well.