Whether you are measuring yourself or a type of garment, it’s important to know how to measure and what the proper terms are.

I’m here to give you the inside scoop on how to properly identify the name of garment measurements with this handy women’s size chart and measurement guide.

When buying or selling clothing on the internet, some of the questions you will ask, or be asked are: “What are the overall measurements?” “Will it be the correct size for me?” “Is there a size guide or fit guide?” The goal is to ask the questions and be sure to receive the most accurate measurements for your body to assure a right fit.

Things To Consider

We all know that every body shape is different and the easiest way to start the process of measuring is to first know your figure type. Are you a rectangle, inverted triangle, hourglass, pear, or apple? 

The reason this information is important is that you will know the right questions to ask. Maybe it’s really important to you to know the hip circumferences of the dress pants you are about to buy because you are a pear shape. It could be that you are an apple and it matters if the measurement is at your natural waistline. If you are an inverted triangle figure, you will want to the know high bust measurement as well as the fullest part of bust and the cup size. For some rectangle women, the length matters. Or if you have wider shoulders you will want those measurement points. For you hourglass women you may want to know the measurement of the narrowest part of your waist and the fullest part of the hips.

Every women is different and there is no “perfect size”, it’s just your size. We all know that in women’s clothing different brands sometimes fit different body types as well. The more you know about your size, your shape, and the brands you fit your body type, the easier it will be for you to find what you are looking for.

What Terms You Should Not Use When Measuring

If you have bought anything second hand off of a reselling site, you have probably read these words when describing measurements .

“How long are these pants?” “What is the (cringe) pit-to-pit measurement?” “Are these jeans high waisted?” “What is the waist measurement?”

If you are a seller or plan to list and sell clothing in the future, please know that measurement terms are a very important part of selling clothing. Don’t be the person that describes their listings with words like “pit-to-pit” and “crotch length” (Yikes!).

Experience

During my years of working at a high-end retail store, I had the opportunity to fit, measure, and pin hems before they were taken to the tailor to ensure the customer the perfect fit. That experience helped me with reselling when measuring and writing the descriptions for the items I list. 

There are proper and elegant terms to use when describing accurate body measurements. Knowing these terms will give you more credibility as a seller. I am including a list of what terms you can reference when labeling measurements. 

What You Need To Measure

All you need is a flexible measuring tape or cloth tape measure and something to write down your measurement or the measurement of the garment.

Measurement Terms 

Under-arm to under-arm or pit-to-pit = Chest or Bust Measurement

Shoulder to Bottom of The Hem Measurement = Length 

Waist Width (Laying Flat) = Waist Measurement 

Crotch Length = Rise 

Leg Length (from bottom of the rise to the hem) = Inseam 

Bottom of Pant or Shirt = Hem 

Please reference several examples with pictures below.

US Sizes vs European Sizes

Since we are on the subject of measurements and sizing. I wanted to show the conversion of women’s pants size charts from US to EU (European). Many of the clothing size or size guides will list sizes in European sizing. If you know understand the sizing and know your size in both US and EU, you will have a much easier time shopping!

0=25

2=26

4=27

6=28

8=29

10=30

12=31

14=32

In Conclusion

I hope this blog post encourages you to measure yourself and the right size, or at least a rule of thumb. Below I have included a free printable women’s measuring guide that you can download. 

Women’s Measurement Guide Printable (5 × 7 in)Download

Women’s Size Conversion Chart Printable

If you are interested in shopping or selling on Poshmark, download their free app and use my code SHOPWITHLORI to get $10 toward your first purchase.

Also check out my other posts about Why I Love Poshmark or for an in depth beginners guide, purchase my Poshmark 101 Back to the Basic Ebook here.