Women’s Measurement Guide

Made to measure works best when your measurements are clear and consistent. You do not need to measure like a professional tailor. Just follow this guide, and we will sense-check anything that looks unusual before we cut your suit.

Before you start

What you need

  • A soft tape measure (flexible sewing tape)

  • A mirror or a friend (a friend makes it much easier)

  • A notepad or your phone to write the numbers down

What to wear

  • A thin top and fitted trousers or leggings, or measure over underwear

  • No thick jumpers, bulky bras, belts or shapewear that changes your normal shape

How tight should the tape be

  • Snug but not tight. It should sit flat without digging in.

  • Keep it level and straight, not angled.

Units

  • Inches or centimetres are both fine. Just tell us which you used.

Top tip

  • Measure each point twice and keep the number that repeats.

Required measurements

1) Bust

What it is
Your bust around the fullest part.

How to measure

  1. Stand naturally with arms relaxed.

  2. Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your bust.

  3. Keep it level across your back (use a mirror).

  4. Breathe normally and read the number without lifting your chest or sucking in.

Common mistake
Measuring too high (near the armpits) or too low (around the ribs).

2) Waist

What it is
Your natural waist, usually the narrowest point. If you are not sure, it is where your waist naturally creases when you bend sideways.

How to measure

  1. Stand relaxed, do not pull your stomach in.

  2. Wrap the tape around the narrowest part of your waist.

  3. Keep it level and read the number.

Common mistake
Measuring where jeans sit instead of the natural waist.

3) Hips / Seat (bum)

What it is
Around the fullest part of your bum and hips.

How to measure

  1. Stand with feet together.

  2. Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your bum (often lower than people expect).

  3. Keep the tape level and read the number.

Common mistake
Measuring too high on the hip bones instead of the fullest bum point.

4) Trouser waist (where you wear the waistband)

What it is
Where you actually like your trouser waistband to sit. Some people prefer it on the waist, others lower on the hips. We need your preference so trousers feel right.

How to measure

  1. Find where you normally wear your trousers.

  2. Wrap the tape around that line.

  3. Keep it level and read the number.

Why we ask this as well as “waist”
Natural waist and waistband position are often different, especially in womenswear.

5) Inside leg

What it is
From the top of the inside leg down to where you want the trouser hem to finish.

Best method (recommended)

  1. Take trousers you love the length of.

  2. Measure from the crotch seam (where the legs meet) down the inside seam to the hem.

  3. That number is your inside leg.

If measuring on your body

  1. Stand straight in socks.

  2. Place the tape at the top of the inside leg (right up where the legs meet).

  3. Measure straight down to your ankle bone, or to where you want the trousers to finish.

Common mistake
Starting the tape too low, or measuring the outside leg instead of inside leg.

6) Jacket sleeve length

What it is
From the top of the shoulder down to the wrist bone, following the natural bend of your arm.

How to measure

  1. Stand relaxed, arm slightly bent.

  2. Place the tape at the top of your shoulder (where a shoulder seam would sit).

  3. Measure down over the elbow to the wrist bone.

  4. Read the number.

Common mistake
Measuring to the hand instead of the wrist bone.

7) Height

What it is
Your full height without shoes.

How to measure

  1. Stand against a wall without shoes.

  2. Keep your head level.

  3. Mark the wall and measure from floor to mark.

Why we need it
Height helps us balance jacket length, sleeve balance, and the overall proportions of the suit.

Optional measurements (very helpful)

These are not required, but they help us get closer first time, especially if you are curvy, petite, tall, or hard to fit.

8) Shoulder width

What it is
Across your back from shoulder point to shoulder point.

How to measure

  1. Find the bony point at the end of each shoulder.

  2. Measure straight across your back from one point to the other.

9) Upper arm (bicep)

What it is
Around the widest part of your upper arm.

How to measure

  1. Relax your arm by your side (do not flex).

  2. Wrap the tape around the fullest part of the upper arm.

  3. Read the number.

Why it matters
If you have stronger arms, this prevents sleeves feeling tight.

10) Thigh

What it is
Around the widest part at the top of your thigh.

How to measure

  1. Stand relaxed with feet shoulder-width apart.

  2. Wrap the tape around the fullest part high up near the top of the thigh.

  3. Read the number.

11) Calf

What it is
Around the widest part of the calf.

How to measure

  1. Stand relaxed.

  2. Wrap the tape around the fullest part of the calf.

  3. Read the number.

Why it matters
Helps trousers sit smoothly if you have stronger calves.

Helpful extras you can include (optional)

These are not measurements, but they help us sense-check:

  • Your usual UK clothing size for reference (for example UK 10, 12, 14, 16)

  • Whether jackets usually feel tight across the bust or shoulders

  • Whether trousers usually feel tight across hips or thighs

  • Fit preferences: “I like a sharper slim look” or “I want more room to move”

  • Anything unusual: one shoulder higher, one arm longer, very athletic thighs, etc.