A custom piece is only as good as the measurements behind it. The good news is you don't need a tailor or a fitting room. You need a soft tape measure, a mirror and about five minutes. Here's how to measure yourself for a custom order from Forbidden Fruit.
Before you start
- Use a soft, flexible tape measure, the kind used for sewing. A metal one won't work.
- Measure over thin, close-fitting clothes or your underwear, not over a sweater or jeans.
- Wear the bra you'd wear with the piece, if you'd wear one.
- Stand relaxed with your arms down. Don't suck in. I want your real shape, because that's who the piece is for.
- Keep the tape snug but not tight. You should be able to slide one finger under it.
A friend can help with the trickier ones, but you can do all of these alone with a mirror.
The key measurements
Bust
Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, keeping it level all the way around your back.
Underbust
Wrap the tape around your ribcage, right under your chest. This one matters a lot for fitted tops.
Waist
Find your natural waist, the narrowest part of your torso, usually just above your belly button. Bend to one side and the crease that forms is your waist.
Hips
Stand with your feet together and measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat.
Shoulder width
Measure across your back from the edge of one shoulder to the edge of the other.
Arm length
With your arm slightly bent, measure from the top of your shoulder, over your elbow, to your wrist bone.
Lengths
For tops, measure from the top of your shoulder (where a strap would sit) down to where you want the piece to end. For skirts and pants, measure from your waist down to where you want the hem.
Tips for accurate measurements
- Measure twice. If you get two different numbers, measure a third time.
- Write down inches or centimeters, either is fine, just say which one.
- Keep the tape level. A tape that dips at the back can add an inch or more.
- Tell me how you like things to fit: snug, relaxed or somewhere in between. Two people with the same measurements can want very different fits.
Don't have a tape measure?
Use a piece of string or a phone charger cable, mark where it meets with your fingers, then lay it flat next to a ruler. It's not perfect, but it's close enough to get us started, and I'll double-check anything that looks off.
What happens next
Once you have your numbers, send them with your idea through the custom clothing request. If you have an account, you can save your measurements so ordering next time is even faster. Want to see how the whole process works? Read how a custom clothing order works, or browse Tailored for pieces I can make in your size.