How to Take Your Body Measurements So You Can Find Your Perfect Fit
If you’ve checked out The Shop, you likely noticed I don't list sizes - there are a few reasons for this. On a practical level, since I'm thrifting across decades and brands, no size is the same as the other. Ever. Hell, even within the same brand, they're inconsistent! Because each body is unique, even if there was consistency across brands, that doesn't mean it'll fit you as a human. Listing measurements instead of the numbers or letters gives you the information you need to order something online with confidence, knowing it'll work for you.
Knowing your unique measurements is also a beautiful way to connect with your body. Instead of being told by someone else what size you are, you're taking the time to get to know what makes you, you! We each get one beautiful body in this lifetime, & we get to adorn them with garments that make us feel fabulous - isn't that amazing?!
I know it can be hard to figure out what all these numbers are & how to find your own, so I've put together some guidance on what I've learned over the years to help you out. The simple steps below will walk you through how to find your body measurements & translate them into your ideal fit.
Before You Begin
You'll need either a soft sewing measuring tape or a long string & ruler/construction measuring tape. Put on whatever undergarments you wear the most, keeping in mind that some bras make the bust bigger - go with whichever is larger. If you often go braless, take your bust measurements both without a bra & with one. Find a full-length mirror if you can, or ask a partner or friend to help you out. Also, keep your phone nearby to save your measurements in a note so you'll always have them handy.
How To Find Your Body Measurements
The three core measurements you'll need to find your perfect fit are your bust, waist & hips.
Bust: Measure your bust around the fullest part, usually in line with the nipples. Keep the tape level if possible.
Waist: Measure around the narrowest part of your torso, wherever high-waisted skirts & pants land. Keep the tape level if possible.
Hips: Here you have two options - essentially you’ll measure what the fabric will need to cover when you sit down or do a squat.
If you've got a slim frame: Measure your hips or your bum, whichever is bigger, & wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part.
If you’re very curvy in all the places (I've got a big bum, voluptuous hips & a belly): angle the tape to cover them all; you move a lot in bottoms, so you want to make sure the garment has enough fabric to fit comfortably & not rip.
Using these steps, you can apply them to pretty much any other part of your body - arms & thighs are also nice to know. Try taking these measurements at different times throughout the month, especially if you're a human who bleeds - it’s wild how much these numbers can fluctuate.
Translating These Into Garment Measurements
In The Shop, I list measurements as flat, which means from one side of the garment to the other (bust is from armpit to armpit). Double those measurements to compare them to your body ones.
When choosing a garment online, unless the fabric is stretchy & you want it to be skin-tight, you'll want to add at least an inch to your body measurements for comfort. You can add extra inches depending on how flowy you want the garment to be - this is where measuring pieces you already have comes in handy, as you can compare those measurements to your body measurements to see what you like. If you love the ones you're measuring, you'll be able to find similar styles you know you'll also love. If you hate it, you'll know what to avoid. Either way, it's helpful information to have.
If you love a garment, but the fit isn't exactly perfect, you can tailor it. Keep in mind that it’s easier to make things smaller rather than larger & simpler to make them shorter but not longer. Also, if a skirt or pair of pants is a pull-on style, either make sure the waist will fit over your hips or be prepared to add an elastic, button or zipper. You can add a drawstring in the waistband (hidden on the inside if you like) or belt loops to make it smaller, which is helpful if your body fluctuates drastically.
Now that you know your body measurements, you’re ready to go shopping & find garments you feel fabulous in! Have fun!
PS: if you ever need additional measurements or questions about a specific piece, please feel free to reach out via email or DM on Instagram. I check my email once a day from Tuesday-Friday but am on IG much more often during those times. I don’t check anything from Saturday-Monday (mental health is important, my friends).