Measuring yourself at home, how to do it

Short answer: Use a soft tape measure, measure over your underwear, and keep the tape level without pulling it tight. Three measurements are enough for most items, and it only takes a few minutes in front of a mirror.

What you need

A soft tape measure made of fabric or plastic is the key item. A stiff metal tape from the toolbox does not follow the shape of the body and gives wrong figures. If you have no soft tape, use a piece of string, mark it and then measure the string with a ruler. A mirror, paper and a pencil make the rest easier.

Stand correctly

Stand with your feet together, shoulders relaxed and arms by your sides. Breathe normally and do not pull your stomach in. Measure over underwear or a thin top, not over thick clothes that add extra centimetres. If you stand crooked or tense up, the figures will be off, and the size will not fit.

Chest

Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, under the arms, and keep it level all the way round. Check in the mirror that it does not slip down at the back. This measurement decides the size of tops, for example in bamboo sweat clothes, where the chest decides whether a top fits or feels tight.

Waist

Measure the waist at the narrowest point of your torso, often just above the navel. Bend slightly to the side if you are unsure, and you will feel where the body folds. Keep the tape level and let it rest. The waist decides the fit of skirts, of a slip from bamboo slips and of briefs.

Hips

Measure the hips at the widest point over the seat, with your feet together. Move the tape up and down a little until you find the largest figure. The hip measurement matters for trousers, briefs and anything that sits close over the hips. If your hips are your largest measurement, they decide the size.

Measure yourself, not your clothes

If you measure an old garment, you measure its fit, not your body. Clothes can be stretched or shrunk from washing, and they can be cut loose or tight. Use your own measurements against the guide, for example for a bamboo hoodie for women, so you compare the same thing the guide is based on.

Write the figures down straight away

Write down each measurement as soon as you have taken it, before moving on to the next. With three numbers it is easy to mix them up. Add the date as well. Next time you shop, you can then see how old the figures are and know whether it is time to measure again.

Common mistakes

The most common mistakes are pulling the tape tight, holding it crooked and measuring over thick clothes. Another is rounding down to reach a smaller size, which leads to clothes that feel tight. Measure as accurately as you can and let the guide decide the size rather than a wish for a particular letter.

Frequently asked questions

Should you pull the tape tight

No. The tape should rest against the body without pressing into the skin. You should be able to slide a finger under it easily.

What time of day should you measure

It makes no difference for chest and hips. The waist can vary a little through the day, so measure it at the same time if you measure again.

Can you measure yourself alone

Yes, in front of a mirror. Keep the tape level at the back by watching in the mirror, and check that it lies straight all the way round.