Measurements Guide

Getting accurate measurements is one of the most important steps in a commission process, in order to ensure your costume fits well. For this process please have:

  • A tape measure. You can measure in inches or centimeters, though inches is preferred.

  • A length of string, ribbon, or elastic. You’ll tie this around your natural waist to have a reference for some measurements.

  • Appropriate undergarments. Please wear whatever type of undergarments you plan to wear with the costume.

  • Form-fitting clothes. Don’t wear bulky clothes like sweaters that may cause inaccurate measurements. Wearing a fitted t-shirt with visible side and shoulder seams can sometimes help act as a guide.

  • A helper. Measurements are easier to take with a friend on hand to help. If you are taking them yourself, being in front of a mirror will help!

A few notes on taking measurements:

  • Act natural. Don’t suck in your stomach or try to contort your body, allow for accurate measurements of your body in a natural state.

  • Hold tape measure not too loose, but not too tight. The tape measure shouldn’t be squishing you at all, just laying nice and flat against the body.

  • Have good posture. Stand tall, and try not to slouch or bend over when taking measurements (this can significantly change numbers).

  • Measure to the closest quarter inch or half centimeter. Precise measurements help me immensely when I can’t do in-person fittings!

  • Measure twice! A good way to self check for errors while measuring is to simply take every measurement at least twice; if there was a noticeable difference in those numbers then that’s a good sign to go back and make sure you’re taking it correctly.

Here are instructions with visuals on how to take each body measurement.You may not need to take every measurement listed here; Please see the list I sent you for which specific measurements I need. If there’s any that you’re still not quite sure how to take correctly, just ask me for clarification!

When you're finished measuring, please send me a labeled list of your measurements.

Thank you!

  • Measure around your body above the bust and high under the arms.

  • Measure around the fullest part of the chest, parallel to the floor.

  • Measure around your body just below the bust and parallel to the floor.

  • Measure around your natural waist. To help find this point, lean to the side to find the natural bend in your waist. It may help to tie a piece of string or elastic around this point as a reference for more measurements.

  • Measure around your body at the fullest part of tummy, usually 3"-3 1/2" below waist.

  • Measure around the fullest/widest part of your hips/buttocks.

  • At the same height you measured high bust, measure from arm crease to arm crease.

  • Measure from one side of the body to the other across full bust. If you’re wearing a shirt with side seams, you can measure from “sideseam to sideseam”.

  • Item description

  • Measure from the base of the neck at the shoulder seam to the apex on the same side of the body.

  • Measure bust point to bust point (nipple to nipple).

  • Measure from bust point to your under bust.

  • Measure starting at base of neck down to the waist.

  • Find the bony vertebrae at the base of the neck; measure from there down to the waist.

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  • Measure from your waist down to wherever you would like the longest skirt layer to hit. Be sure not to bend over while measuring this!

  • Measure from the side of the neck to shoulder tip (ie where the shoulder seam hits).

  • Measure across the back from one shoulder tip, over that vertebrae at the nape of the neck, and ending at the other shoulder tip.

  • Measure around the base of the neck loosely.

  • Measure around the top of the arm comfortably where the armhole sits.

  • Measure around the bicep with the arm bent so the muscle is engaged.

  • Measure loosely around the wrist.

  • Item description

  • Item description