Need to measure yourself quickly? Stop Googling “How do you measure yourself” and use this quick and easy guide! Find out more here.

We’re always striving to look our best, and one of the key elements of creating a flattering outfit is wearing the right-sized clothes. But, what do you do if you don’t know how to correctly measure yourself?

Too often, we put up with clothes that are ill-fitting or awkward because most fashion stores cater to one specific body type. This just isn’t reality, though, as many of us are shorter or taller than average, and our physical gestures are all different too.

Whether you want to measure yourself for pants or find out how to measure yourself with a measuring tape, there are a few methods you can try to make sure your clothes fit well. Say goodbye to outfits that don’t fit and instead say hello to well-tailored looks!

Keep reading to explore the answer to “how do you measure yourself?”

The Measuring Method

If you need a quick solution to measure yourself for pants or any other garments, follow this method to get a fast result. For the purpose of this example, we will show you how to correctly measure yourself for a pair of pants. However, you can also use this method for other clothes too - just make sure you use an item that you are certain fits you well.

What You Need

To get an accurate result, you’ll need to locate:

• A tape measure
• An item of clothing that fits well
• A flat surface to measure on

The Method

1. Lay your garment out onto the flat surface. Make sure it’s positioned well so you can get accurate measurements.
2. For pants, the first measurement you’ll need to take is the waist. Button up the fly of the garment and measure the waistband whilst flat. Double this measurement to get the entire length of the waist.
3. The next measurement you’ll need to take is the rise (also known as the crotch area). Keep the pants buttoned up and lay them flat. Pull the tape measure from the crotch seam to the top of the waistband and jot this length down as the rise measurement.
4. Next, you need to find the thigh measurement. Keep the pants flat and start the tape at the center point of the crotch. Measure from here to the outside edge of the pants.
5. For the leg opening, you’ll need to take the flat measurement of the hem of the pants. Take the size from one side to the other.
6. Finally, make sure you remember to measure the inseam too. This measurement should be taken from the crotch center to the bottom of the pants. If possible, align your measuring tape with the side seam for an accurate measurement.

Once these steps are complete, you’ll have an accurate set of measurements for pants that fit you well! Use these results to inform your future clothing purchases or tell them to a seamstress so you can get your clothes altered well.

Extra Tips

• If you want to know how to measure yourself for shirts, use the same flat lay method and take measurements of key areas—for example, the sleeve lengths, chest width, and so on.
• Always measure twice to ensure an accurate reading.
• Make sure all of your measurements are in the same format (inches or cms).
• Don’t forget to double the flat waistband measurement!
• When you choose a piece of clothing to measure, make sure it fits you like a glove, as it will give the best results.

The Takeaway

Now you know how to measure yourself correctly, make sure you use this method when buying any clothes. Not only will you end up with a better-fitting wardrobe, but it’ll help you be more mindful about your purchases, and you’ll create a better relationship with shopping.
Want to learn more? Explore the best way to measure a petite frame here.