Measuring guide

How to measure yourself

Eighteen measurements, each shown on the figure as you go. Take them with a friend’s help, then send them to us. We cut your pattern from them.

Start measuringSend us your measurements

Before you measure

Four things first

Unsure how to measure? Book an appointment, virtually or in person, and one of our team will help you.

  1. 01

    A soft tape, and a friend

    Use a tailor’s soft tape measure. Ask someone to help: it is hard to measure your own back and shoulders accurately.

  2. 02

    Light, close clothes

    Wear a thin, close-fitting top and trousers that do not squeeze. Stand up straight and relaxed, and breathe normally.

  3. 03

    A string at the waist

    Tie a piece of string around your natural waist and leave it in place. Several measurements start from it.

  4. 04

    One unit throughout

    Measure everything in inches or everything in centimetres. Snug, never tight: the tape should sit flat without pressing in.

01 · Upper body

The foundation of your fit

Tie a piece of string around your waist first and leave it there. It is the reference for A, C and K.

WaistStomach

Waist and stomach

Tie a string at your natural waist and measure around it. Then measure around your stomach at its fullest.

This waist is for jackets and shirts, and is separate from where your trousers sit (M).

Write down

  • Waist
  • Stomach
Neck

Neck

Measure around your neck just below the Adam’s apple. Keep the tape neither tight nor loose, with room for one finger underneath.

Tell us if you like your collars a little looser or closer.

Write down

  • Neck
Front
Front
Back
Back

Neck to waist

From the base of your neck, measure down to the waist string at the front. Repeat at the back, from the base of the collar to the string.

Write down

  • Front
  • Back
Chest

Chest

Measure around the fullest part of your chest, with the tape high under the arms and level across your back. Breathe normally.

Write down

  • Chest
Shoulder

Shoulder width

Across your back, measure from the point where one shoulder meets the arm to the same point on the other side.

For a slim fit, use the higher shoulder points; for a regular fit, the usual ones.

Write down

  • Shoulder width
Sleeve

Sleeve length

Measure from the end of your shoulder down the outside of the arm to where you want the sleeve to finish. Measure both arms.

The classic length: shoulder to thumb tip, less 3½ in (8.9 cm).

Write down

  • Left
  • Right
Upper arm

Upper arm

Measure around the fullest part of your upper arm, with the arm relaxed and the tape comfortably snug.

Write down

  • Upper arm
Elbow

Elbow

Measure around your elbow, with the arm relaxed. Do not pull the tape tight.

Write down

  • Elbow
Wrist

Wrist

Measure around your wrist, just above the wrist bone.

Wear your watch? Tell us which wrist.

Write down

  • Wrist
Front
Front
Back
Back

Front and back width

Across the front of your chest, measure from armpit to armpit. Then measure across your back, armpit to armpit.

Write down

  • Front
  • Back
Upper hipHipWaist–hip

Upper hip and hip

Measure around your upper hip, 4 in (10.2 cm) below the waist string. Then measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat. Last, measure straight down from the string to that fullest point.

Write down

  • Upper hip
  • Hip
  • Waist to hip
WaistcoatJacketCoat

Garment length

Measure down your back from the base of the collar to where you want the garment to end. Use the same starting point for shirts, waistcoats, jackets and coats.

A jacket usually ends at your knuckles, with your arms relaxed at your sides.

Write down

  • Shirt
  • Jacket
  • Waistcoat
  • Coat

02 · Lower body

Trousers and shorts

First decide where you want your trousers to sit: at the usual waist, higher or lower. Use that same line for M, N, O and Q. Shorts are measured the same way; only the length changes.

Trouser waist

Trouser waist

Measure around exactly where you want the waistband to sit. Keep the tape neither too tight nor too loose.

Write down

  • Trouser waist
HipWaist–hip

Hip

Measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat. Then measure straight down from your trouser waistline to that point.

Write down

  • Hip
  • Waist to hip
Front
Front
Back
Back

Crotch

Measure from the front of the waistband, down between the legs, and up to the back of the waistband.

Easier with a pair that already fits: measure it, and tell us anything you would change.

Write down

  • Crotch
ThighKneeAnkle

Thigh, knee and ankle

Measure around the fullest part of your thigh, then around the knee, then around the ankle.

Tell us how you like your trousers to fit: slim, regular or relaxed.

Write down

  • Thigh
  • Knee
  • Ankle
TrousersShorts

Trouser and short length

Measure down the outside of your leg, from your trouser waistline to where you want the hem. For classic trousers, measure to the heel.

Write down

  • Trousers
  • Shorts
Leg opening

Leg opening

The width you would like at the hem, measured all the way round. This is a measurement of the garment, not of your ankle.

Write down

  • Leg opening

Forms to download for measurements

Done? Send them to us.

WhatsApp +66 86 527 2192sales@countryroadfashions.com