How to Measure

If you cannot get to the atelier and we cannot get to you, these are the measurements we need. Have someone else take them — measuring yourself introduces error in exactly the places that matter.

Before you start: wear a well-fitting shirt, not a T-shirt and not a jacket. Stand normally. Do not hold your breath, do not pull your stomach in, and do not help the tape. The tape should sit flat against you, snug but not tight — you should be able to slide two fingers underneath it.

The three that matter most

Chest. Around the fullest part of the chest, under the arms and across the shoulder blades at the back. Keep the tape level all the way round — this is the one people most often let slope down at the back. Arms relaxed at your sides.

Shoulders. Across the back, from the bony point of one shoulder to the bony point of the other. Find the bone with your fingers first; do not guess from the seam of the shirt you are wearing.

Waist. Around the natural waist, which is the narrowest point — usually an inch or so above the navel, not where your trousers sit. Breathe out normally before reading it.

The rest

• Neck — around the base, where a collar sits, with one finger inside the tape.
• Sleeve length — from the shoulder bone, over a slightly bent elbow, to the wrist bone.
• Bicep — around the fullest part, arm relaxed.
• Wrist — around the wrist bone.
• Seat — around the fullest part of the hips.
• Jacket or sherwani length — from the base of the collar at the back, down to where you want the hem to finish.
• Trouser waist — where you actually wear your trousers, not the natural waist.
• Inseam — from the crotch to the top of the shoe.
• Outseam — from the trouser waist to the top of the shoe.
• Thigh, knee and bottom opening — around each, trousers worn normally.
• Height and weight — these let us sanity-check everything above.

Two things that save a fitting

Send us a photograph of yourself standing straight, from the front and from the side, against a plain wall. Posture tells us things a tape cannot — a forward shoulder or a slight stoop changes how a jacket has to be cut.

And tell us how you like things to fit. “Snug” means different things to different people, and it is much cheaper to discuss it now than after the cloth is cut.

Not confident? Book a home measurement visit and our master tailor will do all of this for you, or message us on WhatsApp to arrange a video call.