How To Measure Yourself: Right Wardrobe Sizing & Body Shape Measuring

how to measure yourself
how to measure yourself

Are you looking for an answer to the question: how to measure yourself?

I got your back with these superb tips!

Givenchy said: “The dress must follow the body of a woman, not the body following the shape of the dress”.

how to measure yourself
how to measure yourself

I have paid a visit to the atelier because keep on buying things that need clear adjustments for my body type. Even if I get them at Zara they might fit perfectly but I would need to cut the length of a sleeve here and there because it would just look weird on me if I didn’t. You know these visits and casual talks with a seamstress…one of these times I said my measurements were 34-30-35. And she answered ” Say What….?” with a great surprise. “I’m sure you’re not, I just measured you, unless you like to think you have those parameters”.

I’m sure most women are just like me, they would like to think they are in a certain standard when they are not. It’s very hard to admit that you might have made a purposeful mistake. So, whenever you are ready to accept the reality and your body as it is – feel free to use a soft tape for precise measuring or something else like a garland for finding out your body shape.

Basics: Stand straight in front of a full-length mirror with a soft tape and read the measurement looking from the mirror instead of looking down.

Bust: Place one end of the tape measure at the widest part of your bust while wearing a bra, make sure it wraps under your armpits and around your shoulder blades to get the measurement.

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how to measure yourself

Under-bust: Wrap the tape under your bust, where the bra band would sit, to get your under-bust measurement.

Bra size: Round up your bust size to the nearest measurement. Subtract your under-bust size from the rounded-up number. Add approximately one cup size for every inch difference. A difference of one leaves you with an A cup, while a difference of two equals a B cup, three equals a C cup, and four equals a D cup.

Waist: Measure the circumference of your waist. Use the tape to circle your waist at your natural waistline (above your belly button and below your rib cage). Keep the tape parallel to the floor and don’t be tempted to suck in your stomach or you’ll get a false measurement.

happy woman basic underwear measuring herself isolated 329181 16815
how to measure yourself

Hips: Wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of your hips and bum. This is about seven to nine inches below your natural waist. Keep the tape measure parallel to the floor and don’t cheat by pulling too tightly on the band.

Upper arms and thighs: Measure around the widest part of your upper arm and thigh.

Inseam: This is the distance from the uppermost inner part of your thigh to the bottom of your ankle. Tip: If buying trousers to be worn with heels, add the heel heights to your inseam measurement.

Sleeve length: Recruit a friend for this one. With your hand on your waist and elbow bent at a 90-degree angle, the measurement from the middle of the back of your neck to your shoulder, down your arm to the elbow, and then on to the wrist.

Gloves: Wrap a measuring tape around your dominant hand (the one you use most) below the knuckles (and minus the thumb) for width. For finger length, measure from the tip of your middle finger to the bottom edge of your palm.

Hats: Gently wrap the tape around the circumference of the head above the ears, making sure it lies across the bump in the middle of the back of your head. Measure a few times for accuracy and don’t pull too tightly.

BODY SHAPE: INTRODUCTION

How do you know which clothes are right for you?

Have you looked at yourself in the morning and said: “ Does this skirt really fit me”? Or “Does this make me look fat”?

Wonder no more!

Because this section is going to teach you the trick to the trade so you’re dressed and out of the door looking great in no time.

If you understand your proportions you will be able to end the guessing game. By knowing the best shapes and styles for your silhouette – you can disregard 90% of what is in store and really focus on that 10% that will be perfect for you.

Not all cuts and silhouettes are going to fit you. They might look fabulous on others, but not on you. By no means, do not compare yourself to others. It’s kind of like comparing the sun and the moon, each of those shine in their own ways. The secret to the style is to work with what you have. It’s about knowing what works on you and rocking it. Just because something is in fashion, doesn’t mean it should be on you. This is why style and fashion are two different things.

5 FEMALE BODY SHAPES

The ultimate aim is to create balance and proportion

An Hourglass, Rectangle, and Apple body shapes tend to have the same shoulder and hip line. You may have started as an hourgalss in your 20s and then noticed that with age you became more of a rectangle and the torso became a bit redefined. We an H type after giving birth and you might as well transform into an apple. So it’s not only 1 type of body shape that will last for all your life and let’s not mention that it can also get transformed in the gym and some plastic surgery enhancements.

Figuring your body type

See yourself in the mirror, preferably in your underwear. Take something of a linear shape (like a garland in my case) and align with your shoulder ball. Drop down from the shoulder to your hip. If it’s a straight line from the shoulder to the hip. It only matters to the naked eye even without the measurement. The waist is what you need to figure out.

HOURGLASS BODY SHAPE

Is the most balanced and proportionate body type. Regardless of weight gain or loss, it is evenly distributed throughout the body. Your waist is distinctly narrower than your hips and shoulders. 25 cm ( 9-10 inches) narrower than your hips. Your goal is to:

Goal: elongate your figure and show off your curves without over emphasizing them.

DRESSING GUIDELINES

  • Echo your natural body shape
  • Waist emphasis
  • Simple and clean designs
  • Tops with necklines that reveal skin at the shoulders, collarbone or cleavage
  • Avoid garments that are too loose and too figure fitting

You need to emphasize your figure without cluttering of design details. Garments that have shape especially on the waist and those will be flattering on you. In terms of pants, skirts – straight or slightly flared flowing nicely over the hip.

PEAR BODY SHAPE

The most common female body

Goal: To add fullness to your upper body while minimizing your hips. Top extends the width of the shoulders to equal that of the hips/thighs.

Now it depends whether you want to emphasize on your hips or you want to conceal them a bit. Choose straight cuts from the hip to conceal the hip. Skinny tight jeans will show off your hip.

Dressing Guidlines:

  • Vertical design influence below the waist; horizontal influence above;
  • Minimal texture, pattern below the waistline
  • Dresses (skirt slightly flared)
  • Pants slightly flared (bootleg not skinny)
  • Color match – trousers and shoes in darker colors

A-line skirts are great for the shape, shoulder pads and the hips will look narrower. Bright textured tops and darker bottoms.

INVERTED TRIANGLE BODY SHAPE

Goal: To add fullness to your lower body while minimizing the shoulders and bust. To extend the width of the hips/ thighs to equal that of the shoulders.

Dressing Guidelines:

  • Vertical design above the waist.
  • Minimize the texture

RECTANGLE BODY SHAPE

  • Goal: To emphasize central part of your body recreating a perfect hourglass shape.

Dressing Guidelines:

  • To emphasize the geometry, you may add padding to your shoulders.
  • A-line skirts work well, and a tight skirt/trousers that highlight the curves that you possess.
  • If you make your top loose and flared – the bottom needs to be fitted and calm. And vice versa, a flared base-fitted top.

APPLE BODY SHAPE

Goal: Conceal your your shoulders and bosom that are broader than your hips.

Dressing Guidelines:

  • A-line silhouettes
  • Flared tunics
  • Relaxed, boyfriend button-up shirts
  • V-neck anything

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