How to Measure Yourself

It goes without saying that all models should know their measurements. However, if you've never measured yourself or been measured, it's understandable that you wouldn't even know where to begin. So first thing's first: understand what measurements are important and how to find them.

When you see the measurements: 34-24-34...those are the numbers that represent the bust/chest size, waist, and the hips of a person, male or female, in inches. It goes in that exact order every time.

As far as how to get yourself measured, most of you should have a regular measuring tape laying around somewhere in your house. It's best to use the flimsy kind that you can wrap around yourself and is used specifically for sewing or tailoring, and not the kind that comes with a metal backing (like the type you but at the hardware store).

It's better to have someone other than yourself do the measuring because that gets you the most accurate numbers. You can get one of your best friends to do it, your brother or sister or one of your parents. Or you can go to any local seamstress or tailor shop and they can do a professional measuring for you, usually at no cost. Victoria's Secret also does measuring but mostly for figuring out your bra size, but it doesn't hurt to ask if they can do your waist and hips too the next time you stop in to shop.

Here are some tips for how to get the right measurements (guys and girls):

Bust

- With your arms at your side, place the tape measure around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms.
- Make sure that the tape measure remains parallel to the floor.
- The length indicated on the tape measure is your bust measurement.

Waist

- While standing, wrap the tape measure around your natural waistline.
- Keep the tape comfortably loose.
- The length indicated on the tape measure is your waist measurement.

Hips

- While standing with your feet together, wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of your body between your waist and your knees. This is approximately 8 inches below your waist.
- Make sure that the tape measure remains parallel to the floor.
- The length indicated on the tape measure is your hip measurement.

While these measurements can be universal for both guys and gals, the fellas have a few more specific measurements they need to know. Fitting a male model for a suit is much different than fitting a female model for a dress so guys, take note:

Neck

- Measure the circumference of your neck just above the base and around your Adam's apple.
- Place two fingers between your neck and the tape measure.
- The length indicated on the tape measure is your neck size.

Arm/Sleeve

- With your arm bent slightly, put your hand on your hip.
- Start the tape measure at the center of the back of your neck.
- Run the tape measure across the top of your shoulder, down to the elbow, and then to your wrist.
- The length indicated on the tape measure is your arm/sleeve length.

Chest

- Standing with your arms at your side, place the tape measure around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms.
- Ensure that the tape measure remains parallel to the ground.
- Place two fingers between the tape measure and your body.
- The length indicated on the tape measure is your chest measurement.

Inseam (Can also apply to female measurements as well)

- Lay flat a pair of pants that fit you well.
- Using a measuring tape, measure from the crotch seam to the bottom of the pant along the seam.
- The length indicated on the tape measure is your inseam.

Sometimes you'll see a measurement asking for the "lower hip." As opposed to your regular hip measurements, which puts the measuring tape a little above your butt, this is the measurement for how wide your hips are including your butt. So that means you should place the tape loosely but snug right around the middle of your backside. That is the lower hip measurement. It isn't always used but it may come up at one time or another.