The other day one of our staff excitedly tore open a package with a pair of fairly expensive shorts from eBay. Only to discover that they didn’t fit as they had a waist size of 33” and he needed 34”. So close but so far!
It reminded me of one of the most important but often skipped steps in making an online purchase: measuring yourself. Too often people make the mistake when shopping online of simply ordering clothing in their typical clothing size, however, sizes vary across brands and genders.
Lets all take a moment and get our latest measurements. So it's ready for when you spot that perfect “must have” item of clothing and lose your head in the heat of the moment.
Getting started
So how should you measure yourself correctly? Always use a flexible measuring tape; in case you don't have one, you can also use a long piece of string and measure the length of the string using a ruler.
Make sure that, when you circle your chest, waist, or hips, the tape is level and neither too tight nor too loose. And this may sound silly, but don't trust your memory — write the measurements down!
Chest
Wrap your tape measure (or string) under your armpits around your body, at the fullest part of your chest.
Shoulder
Start the end of the tape on the outside edge of the shoulder where you want the yoke of the shirt to start. This is where the horizontal part of the shoulder meets the vertical part of the arm. Measure up over the curve of the shoulders and to outside edge of the other shoulder.
Waist
Measure around your waist, above your belly button but below your rib cage. Ensure that the tape is sitting at the smallest part of your waist and that it's flat and straight against your body.
Hips
Stand with your feet together and measure the fullest part of your hips. this should be just above or on the hip bone. This should be just above or on the hip bone. Where the tape overlaps,
Other
Depending on what type of clothing piece you’re looking at, also measure your legs and/or arms. When buying bottoms, for example, it’s recommended to measure the inseam (from the top of your inner thigh to your ankle) and your upper thigh.
Finding the right fit
We always recommend double-checking the sizing chart before purchasing something online. There is nothing worse than excitedly waiting for your new clothing to arrive in the mail only to realise you have accidentally purchased the wrong size.
When you go to make a purchase take your measurements and compare them to the sizing chart. If the waist chest or shoulder measurements don’t measure up don’t buy it… Unless you like it tight.
My philosophy is if to buy a tape measure and if the shoe fits wear it Cinderella.
