Measuring Guide

This guide will help in understanding how Ladies clothing measurements are determined and presented in Item Details. Not all brand sizes are the same and shopping on-line can be risky unless you know the methods used to determine the measurements.  Accurate measurements are crucial when shopping for clothing on-line!

Methods for determining measurements are not necessarily standardized, however most sellers utilize the following when providing measurments:

Tops, Sweaters, Jackets, etc.:

Bust

Probably the most requested measurement is the bust measurement. The top is measured across the chest with the garment lying flat, not stretched, but 'relaxed'. The measurement is taken from side seam to side seam directly under the armhole or sleeve. In the picture below the measurement is 19". This measurement is then doubled to provide a measurement of Bust - 38" buttoned, relaxed. Sellers should state buttoned, zipped, relaxed, etc., if applicable.

Oftentimes the seller will provide a bust measurement range; usually for stretch tops or form fitting tops. The measurement is obtained by using the 'relaxed' method show above then adding a second measurement while gently stretching the top a reasonable amount to show a maximum bust measurement. The top may have a 'relaxed' measurement of 18" doubled to 36" then gently stretched to 21" or doubled to 42" to provide a measurement of Bust - 36"-42" gently stretched.

Shoulder

Shoulder measurements are obtained by measuring across the shoulders, seam to seam, as shown below. The measurement in this case would be shown as Shoulder - 17".

Sleeve

Sleeve measurements are obtained by measuring from the top shoulder seam to the cuff as shown below. The measurement in this case would be shown as Sleeve - 18".

Length

Length measurements are obtained by measuring the length of the top from the top of the shoulder, at the collar, to the hemline as shown below. The measurement in this case would be shown as Length - 23"

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Skirts

Waist

The skirt is measured across the waistline with the garment lying flat. The measurement is taken from side to side directly at the waistline. In the picture below the measurement is 17". This is then doubled to provide a measurement of Waist - 34".

Oftentimes sellers will provide a waist measurement range; usually for stretch, elastic, or drawstring waistlines. The measurement is obtained by using the standard methods shown above then adding a second measurement while gently stretching the waistline a reasonable amount to show a maximum waist measurement. The skirt may have a relaxed measurement of 17" doubled to 34" then gently stretched to 19" or doubled to 38" to provide a measurement of Waist - 34"-38" gently stretched.

Hip

The skirt is measured across the hip with the garment lying flat, not stretched, but relaxed. The measurement is taken from side to side directly at the hip line. In the picture below the measurement is 23". This is then doubled to show a measurement of Hip - 46".

Length

The length measurement is obtained by measuring the skirt lying flat, from the top of the waistband to the bottom of the hemline. The measurement may be shown as Length - 21" (no picture shown).

Pants, Slacks, Shorts

Waist

The pant is measured across the waistline with the garment lying flat. The measurement is taken from side to side directly at the waistline. In the picture below the measurement is 18". This is then doubled to provide a measurement of Waist - 36".

Oftentimes sellers will provide a waist measurement range; usually for stretch, elastic, or drawstring waistlines. The measurement is obtained by using the standard methods shown above then adding a second measurement while gently stretching the waistline a reasonable amount to show a maximum waist measurement. The pant may have a relaxed measurement of 17" doubled to 34" then gently stretched to 19" or doubled to 38" to provide a measurement of Waist - 34"-38" gently stretched.

Rise

The rise measurement is obtained by measuring the pant from the crotch seam to the top of the waistband as shown below. The measurement in this case would be shown as Rise - 12".

Hip

The pant is measured across the hip with the garment lying flat, not stretched, but relaxed. The measurement is taken from side to side directly at the hip line. In the picture below the measurement is 24". This is then doubled to show a measurement of Hip - 48".

Inseam

The inseam measurement is obtained by measuring from the crotch seam to the bottom of the cuff. The measurement may be shown as Inseam - 31" (no photo shown).