How to Measure Your Waist, Hips and Bust for Clothes

Whether you’re ordering a new pair of denim, a fancy dress, or a plain t-shirt, knowing your correct measurements ensures you’ll have the perfect fit. When shopping online, that means fewer returns (and let’s be real, less lost money when you forget to do said return). Having your body measurements even simplifies shopping in stores since it gives you the option to grab and go with confidence—or at least cut back your time in the dressing room. Fortunately, learning how to measure your waist, hips, and bust for clothes is a cinch.

RELATED: How to Measure Your Bra Size at Home

Measuring Pro Tips & Necessities 

Before we get started, make sure you have the following items on hand: 

• Soft measuring tape
• Pencil 
• Paper 
• A friend (if possible) 

When taking measurements, the rule of thumb is to not pull the tape measurer too tight nor allow it to be too loose. “One finger underneath the tape is enough space,” says Amber Gaskins, bridal director at Kleinfeld Bridal. The tape measurer should run parallel to the ground and sit higher or lower on one side compared to another. Wrap it around the area you’re measuring, then jot down the measurement. 

Having a friend help you take measurements can help ensure accurate numbers. If someone can’t help, use a mirror to double check that the tape runs evenly across the area you’re measuring. Once you’ve got this information, you’ll need to refer to the brand’s size chart to find the best fit. This can vary from brand to brand and even garment to garment. 

How to Measure Your Waist 

There are two waist measurements you’ll want to take. The first is your natural waist (the smallest part) and the second is your low waist (just above your hips). 

Natural Waist

“Measure around the smallest part of your waist. When in doubt, bend to the side like a teapot,” says Gaskins. “Where it creases is the right spot.” You’ll use your natural waist measurement for most jeans and pants, as well as dresses and skirts. 

Low Waist

Your low waist sits a few inches below your natural waist—right where your hip bones start. This measurement comes in handy for low-rise pants and skirts. 

How to Measure Your Hips

Look for the widest part of your hips when measuring this part of your body for clothes. It’s also important to stand with your feet together, since standing with them apart can make the measurement larger than what’s true. “Look in the mirror and make sure the measuring tape is parallel [to the ground] to ensure you are capturing the bum area,” says Janice Marks, vice president of design at Silver Jeans Co. 

Hip measurements are usually required for made-to-order garments, though some ready-to-wear pieces like pants, skirts, dresses, and swimwear may include this measurement in their sizing guide.  

How to Measure Your Bust 

Put on a well-fitting, everyday bra before measuring your bust. Similar to your hips, look for the fullest part of your chest and measure there, Gaskins says. Bust measurements are used for shirts, dresses, and bathing suits.

(Note that measuring your bust for garments (like t-shirts and dresses) is different from measuring your bust for a bra. The latter includes two measurements to account for your chest circumference and cup size.)

How to Measure Your Inseam

While you’ve got the tape measurer, you might as well do this bonus measurement. It’s most commonly required when buying pants and skirts, and helps make sure you’ve got the proper length. To take this measurement, simply run the measuring tape from your crotch down the inner leg and to the bottom of your ankle. When measuring your inseam for shorts (or shorter skirts), start from the crotch and measure down the inside of the leg to the desired length of the shorts.