Online shopping sounds great in theory, but I've always preferred to try things on in person. However, sometimes it's just easier to order the item straight to your house and save all the hassle! If you're anything like me and you're worried about getting the wrong size in the mail, I've got you. Here is my foolproof way for measuring yourself at home to get the exact size and fit that you want.
You will need:
- A soft measuring tape! You know, the ones that seamstresses use? The type that you can wrap around your body?
But what do I do if I don't have a measuring tape? Well, here's a life hack for you. If you don't have one, just use a piece of long string or shoelace. That way, you can wrap it around your body, mark the length, and then measure it against a long ruler.
To measure yourself:
Chest/bust: Wrap the tape around the widest part of your chest or bust. This is usually just under the armpit. Measure all the way around in inches.
The garment will probably measure more than your chest measurement. For example, if the garment measures 2 inches more than your body size, it will fit you quite tightly. However, if for example the garment measures 8 inches more than your body size, it will be a loose fit.
Alternatively, find a similar top you own that fits the way you like. Lay it flat and measure straight across under the armpit. Double this amount will give you the full measurement. If the garment you want to buy has the same measurement, it will fit you in a similar way.
Waist: Wrap the tape around your body at the point at which you normally wear your jeans or trousers. The garment you want to buy should have the same waist measurement.
Alternatively, find a pair of bottoms that fit you nicely. Lay it flat and measure straight across the top. Double this amount to get the full waist measurement. The garment you want to buy should have the same waist measurement.
Hopefully, this size guide will make things clear for you!
Notes:
We measure the actual size of the garment. For tops, this measurement is likely to be bigger than your actual body measurement, since many garments are not designed to fit tightly to your body (unless obviously otherwise).
For bottoms, we measure the waistband all the way around, which should match your actual waist measurement.