How to Measure for a Suit: A Beginner’s Guide
Looking to suit up and impress the crowd? Well, first things first, you should make sure you measure up (literally). It might seem daunting, but don’t sweat it – we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll give you a complete guide on how to measure for a suit jacket, so you can look sharp and feel confident!
What You’ll Need
- A measuring tape
- A friend or family member to help you (optional)
Step 1: Measure Your Shoulder
Find the outermost point of each shoulder. Use a measuring tape to measure the distance between these two points. After you have the statistics, you can add a bit of extra room for a comfortable fit.
For men’s suits, adding an extra 0.8-1.2 inches is appropriate. Apart from that, for women’s suits, you may add 0.4-0.8 inches of a comfortable fit.
Step 2: Measure Your Chest
To measure your chest size, start by finding the fullest point of your chest. Use a measuring tape to wrap around your chest at this point and record the measurement. Please make sure the measuring tape is snug but not too tight. It should be leveled around your chest without sagging.
Next, similarly, you’ll want to add some extra room to your measurement. For men’s suits, increase the relaxed fit by 4-7 inches. If you’re going to wear only a shirt under the suit jacket, increase the fit by 4-5 inches. However, if you plan to wear thicker layers underneath, like a sweater, we recommend increasing the relaxed fit by 6-7 inches.
Besides, for women’s suits, add about 2-5 inches to ensure a comfortable fit. If you only plan to wear a shirt or camisole under the suit jacket, just add about 2-3 inches. But if you will wear thicker layers, it would be better to add about 4-5 inches. You can adjust the extra fit based on the thickness of your prepared clothes inside.
Step 3: Measure Your Waist
When it comes to men’s suit jackets, you usually don’t need to worry about measuring your waist. But, if you have a special body shape, like a beer belly, it might be worth taking the extra step. Remember to add a relaxation allowance of 3.5-6 inches.
Women’s suits, on the other hand, require a waist measurement. To do this, loosen your belt and use a tape measure to measure around your waist horizontally. The relaxation allowance could be 2-4 inches.
Step 4: Measure the Length of Your Suit Jacket
The length of a suit jacket can significantly affect the overall fit, so you may pay more attention to it.
For men, measure from the base of the collar down to the fullest part of the hip, subtracting 1.2-1.6 inches. Besides, for women, measure down to the fullest part of the seat, adding 1.2-1.6 inches.
Nonetheless, you can choose other preferred sizes, such as the trending oversized style, to achieve desired looks.
Step 5: Measure the Length of the Sleeves
When measuring suit sleeves, there are two methods to select.
First, start at the collar and measure down to the narrowest part of the wrist, then add an extra 1.2 inches.
Alternatively, you can measure down to the bottom of the thumb. After that, subtract 0.8-1.2 inches from your result.
Of course, if you have a specific request or preference, you can always adjust accordingly.
Step 6: Measure Your Hip
If you’re buying a suit with pants, you’ll also need to measure your hips. Wrap the measuring tape around the widest part of your hips, ensuring it’s level all around.
No matter which gender’s style the suit is, you may add an extra 2-3 inches to your actual measurement to ensure it doesn’t restrict movement.
Step 7: Measure the Outseam of Your Suit Pants
To get started on measuring the outseam of suit pants, put on a pair of dress pants or slacks that fit you well.
Later, locate the top of the waistband on your pants. Measure from that point down to the bottom of your ankle. You can add about 1-2 inches for a comfortable fit. However, if you prefer a slimmer or tighter fit, you can narrow down the fit.
Just make sure to communicate your desired fit to your tailor if you’re getting your pants altered.
Tips for a Great Fit
- Don’t pull the measuring tape too tight. You want a comfortable, accurate measurement.
- If you’re measuring yourself, use a mirror to make sure the tape is leveled around.
- Wear clothes that fit well when you’re measuring. Baggy or tight clothes can throw off your measurements.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It may be hard to measure yourself accurately, so a friend or family member can be a big favor.
Grab an Accurate Size Chart
Well done, you’ve successfully taken your measurements for a suit and are now one step closer to looking sharp!
But, hold on a minute before you go dashing off to the nearest store. It’s essential to grab an accurate size chart from your preferred suit manufacturer! Keep in mind: not all size charts are exactly the same. So, make sure you have the chart from your preferred brand before making any final decisions.
Now, once you have it, look at the size chart and find the size that most closely matches your measurements. If you are in between sizes, don’t stress out. We’ve got a pro tip for you: always choose the larger size! This way, you’ll have some wiggle room to bust a move on the dance floor or dig into that fancy dinner. Plus, you can always get the suit tailored to fit your body like a glove!
Final Words
There you have it, folks! Now you know how to measure for a suit like a pro. Don’t worry, you won’t be graded on accuracy, and there won’t be a pop quiz later!
Unless, of course, your significant other decides to test your knowledge by randomly asking you to measure them for a suit at 2 am. But let’s hope that doesn’t happen! Just follow these steps, and you’ll look sharp and stylish in no time!
If you want another guide on T-shirt size measurements, we also got you covered here!
