Taking your own measurements isn’t easy. First of all, sometimes it’s a shock to see what the numbers actually show. Secondly, many people are unsure of where their natural waist or hip is. Unless you’ve taken a fitting course, it’s not really common knowledge. I wanted to show where to measure on a *real* body – We have all seen measurement diagrams on a croquis, but because no one looks like a fashion croquis, it can be hard to relate it back to our actual bodies.
Start either in your skivvies, a tight fitting dress, or a tight tank top and leggings. Wear an unpadded bra, or no bra.
To measure your true bust, find the fullest part of your chest, and wrap the measuring tape around so that it is parallel to the floor – it should not go up higher or lower in the back, than it is in the front. To determine your band, measure below the bust, right around where a bra band would sit.
Measuring your waist is a little more tricky. A lot of people think that their waist is either a) where their pants sit, or b) where their belly button is. While that is sometimes the case, it is not always 100% accurate. To find the narrowest part of the waist, wrap a measuring tape around your waist – area, and bend from side to side. Wiggle Wiggle! The tape will end up nestled in the narrowest part of your waist. This measurement is your waist measurement.
Your hips, like your bust, should be measured around the fullest point. Take along look at yourself straight on in the mirror, as well as in profile. You want to wrap the tape comfortable around your seat. Here’s your hip measurement.
Your High Hip sits around where a pair of hipster panties would sit. This is a helpful measurement for fitting.
The deadly sins of measuring include pulling the tape TOO TIGHT! I have to admit, it’s tempting to pull round down to the lower inch, or suck in a little bit, but accurate measurements are so important. Plus, it’s not the number that counts, it’s how you carry it! Make sure you check yourself from multiple angles to avoid measuring too high or too low. Always keep your measuring tape paralell to the ground as much as possible – the tape will sometimes want to dip up or down in the back, which can add on inches.
6 Comments
Symon
August 6, 2012 at 1:55 amI've been measuring myself forever and I'm STILL sometimes guilty of trying to shave off that extra half inch lol! I love your comment 'it's not the number; it's how you carry it' – SOOOO true! That's my new measuring mantra!
Kylie
August 6, 2012 at 8:03 amVery informative! I love the 'wiggle, wiggle' tip on waist measuring 🙂
Second Hand Rose
August 6, 2012 at 10:38 amThanks for the great advice and tips, I hate seeing the numbers though! XxxX http://thesecondhandrose.blogspot.co.uk
Miranda Burnett
August 6, 2012 at 11:10 amWonderful! The hubby and I always have a "disagreement" about where my waist is when I ask him to help me measure for a new pattern – Now I can show him I'm right! 🙂
Rebecca
August 6, 2012 at 1:15 pmGreat post, thank you!
Anonymous
February 14, 2013 at 4:51 amThis is really helpful, thanks!