How to Measure a Dress

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Whether you’re selling dresses online or need to know your dress measurements before buying a new dress, taking accurate measurements can help to ensure a better fit. You can measure a dress to find its size and length by laying it on a flat surface and using a measuring tape. You can also measure the dress with a measuring tape while someone is wearing it. [1] It's easy to take these measurements and well worth your time.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Measuring a Dress on a Flat Surface

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    Before you measure the dress, choose a clean, flat surface to place it on, such as a table, bed, or a clean area of the floor. Zip up the dress first if it has a zipper and then place it onto the surface. Smooth it out so there are no bumps in the fabric. [2]
    • It’s especially important to make sure that the area is clean if you plan to sell the dress. Wipe off the table, put down a fresh sheet, or sweep the floor before you place the dress on it.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Measure a Dress
    Take the measurement from 1 side seam to the other right under the armholes or sleeve seam of the dress. Hold the end of the soft, flexible measuring tape at 1 side seam and pull it across the bust to the opposite side seam. Then, double this measurement to find your bust measurement for the dress. [3]
    • For example, if the measurement is 17 in (43 cm), then the bust measurement is 34 in (86 cm).
    • Don't use a ruler to take your measurements. Make sure to use a soft, flexible measuring tape. If you don't have one, you can print one out and tape it together.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Measure a Dress
    Look at the dress and find the smallest part of the waist. [4] If the dress is fitted, then this should be easy to spot. However, if the dress fits loosely around the waist, then you might have to estimate where the waistline is. Hold the end of the measuring tape against the side seam pull it across the waist of the dress to the opposite side seam. Then, multiply this measurement by 2. [5]
    • For example, if the waist measures 15 in (38 cm) across on the front side of the dress, then the dress’s waist measurement is 30 in (76 cm).
    • If the bodice and skirt of the dress are separate, then the waist may be located along the seam between these 2 pieces.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Measure a Dress
    Next, locate the part of the dress that would cover a person’s hips. This part of the dress is usually about 8 in (20 cm) below the waistline, so you can measure down from there if you’re unsure. [6] Measure from 1 side seam to its opposite going across the hip section of the dress. Then, double this number to get the hip measurement. [7]
    • For example, if the measurement is 21 in (53 cm), then the hip measurement for the dress is 42 in (110 cm).
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Measure a Dress
    This will provide you with a total length measurement for the dress. Do not double this number. Locate the seam at the center of the shoulder or the topmost part of the shoulder strap while the dress is laying flat. Then, extend the tape measure down to the hem of the dress’s skirt. [8]
    • For example, if the dress measures 45 in (110 cm) from shoulder to hem, then this is the dress’s length.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Measure a Dress
    Pull on the sleeve gently to ensure that it is fully extended out to the side of the dress. Then, place the end of the tape measure at the top part of the shoulder or along the shoulder seam. Then, measure down to the end of the sleeve. Record this number as your sleeve measurement. [9]
    • For example, if the dress’s sleeve measures 10 in (25 cm), then that is its sleeve length.
    • You can skip this if the dress is strapless. However, if the dress has straps at all, then you might want to measure to find the strap width.

    Tip : Make sure to measure both sleeves if the dress is A-symmetrical and has different sleeve lengths.

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    Spread out the skirt so that it is fully flared out, but laying flat with 1 layer on top of the other. Then, measure from 1 end of the hem to the other end. Double this measurement to find the dress’s flare measurement. [10]
    • For example, if the dress’s hem measures 25 in (64 cm) on 1 side, then the flare measurement is 50 in (130 cm)
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Measure a Dress
    Identify the waistline again and then hold the end of the measuring tape against it. Bring the measuring tape down towards the skirt and all the way to the hemline, which is the bottom edge of the skirt. Record this measurement exactly as your dress’s skirt length. [11]
    • For example, if the dress measures 36 in (91 cm) from the waistline to the hem, then this is the skirt length of the dress.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Measuring a Dress that Someone is Wearing

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    With the person wearing the dress and standing in front of you, wrap the measuring tape around the dress at the bust. [12] Locate the fullest part of the bust to take the measurement. Record this measurement as the dress’s bust measurement. [13]
    • For example, if the dress measures 38 in (97 cm) around the bust, then that is the dress’s bust measurement.
    • Don’t wrap the measuring tape around the person’s bust too loosely. Hold it so it is snug against the dress.

    Tip : Make sure that the dress fits well on the person who is wearing it when you measure it. Otherwise, you won’t get accurate measurements.

  2. Watermark wikiHow to Measure a Dress
    Locate the smallest part of the person’s waist, which will be wherever the dress tapers inward. Usually this is right around or just above their belly button. Measure around this point on the dress and record the measurement exactly. [14]
    • For example, if the dress measures 29 in (74 cm) around the waist, then that is the dress’s waist measurement.
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    Find the widest part of the person’s hips where the dress is still fitted and measure around this point with the tape measure. Hold the tape measure snugly against the person’s body and record the number you get. [15]
    • For example, if the hips measure 48 in (120 cm), then that is the dress’s hip measurement.
    • Note that this will not work if the dress flares out at the hips since it may also fit on someone with wider hips than the person who is currently wearing it. Only take this measurement while the person is wearing the dress if the dress is fitted through the hips.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Measure a Dress
    The hollow is at the base of a person’s neck. Finding the hollow to hemline measurement will enable someone who wants to buy the dress to see where it will fall on them. Measure from this point down to the hemline of the dress. Record this measurement exactly. [16]
    • For example, if the measurement from the hollow of the person’s neck to the hemline of the dress is 40 in (100 cm) around the bust, then that is the dress’s hollow to hemline measurement.
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    The person may also want to know the width of the dress from shoulder-to-shoulder. Place the end of your tape measure at the topmost part of the person’s shoulder and measure across the back of the dress to their other shoulder. Record this measurement. [17]
    • For example, if dress measures 16 in (41 cm) from shoulder to shoulder, then that is the dress’s shoulder-to-shoulder measurement.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Measure a Dress
    If the dress has sleeves, you can also take this measurement while the person is wearing the dress. Have them fully extend their arm and place the end of the measuring tape at the top of their shoulder or where the sleeve meets the shoulder. [18] Measure down to the cuff of the sleeve and record this measurement. [19]
    • For example, if the sleeve measures 18 in (46 cm), then that is the dress’s sleeve measurement.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I measure my dress without measuring tape?
    Mia Danilowicz
    Master Tailor
    Mia Danilowicz is a Master Tailor who works onset and on the red carpet in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Mia specializes in bridal and gown couturier fittings, garment reconstruction, and custom design. Mia has worked at the Oscars, Grammys, SAG Awards, and Golden Globes. Her clients include a long list of entertainment and fashion industry headliners, major fashion magazines, luxury consumer brands, and popular media. Mia was trained at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and received her AA in Fashion Design and BS in Business Management.
    Mia Danilowicz
    Master Tailor
    Expert Answer
    If you don't have a tape measure, you can use a piece of string or ribbon. Tie that around your waist like you would measuring tape. Next, measure the length with a standard tape measure you can find in a toolbox if you have one.
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  • Question
    Can you take your own measurements?
    Mia Danilowicz
    Master Tailor
    Mia Danilowicz is a Master Tailor who works onset and on the red carpet in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Mia specializes in bridal and gown couturier fittings, garment reconstruction, and custom design. Mia has worked at the Oscars, Grammys, SAG Awards, and Golden Globes. Her clients include a long list of entertainment and fashion industry headliners, major fashion magazines, luxury consumer brands, and popular media. Mia was trained at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and received her AA in Fashion Design and BS in Business Management.
    Mia Danilowicz
    Master Tailor
    Expert Answer
    It's best to have someone do your measurements for you. That way your body can relax into the measurement, and you can decide if you need ease within that measurement. When taking your measurements yourself, it's possible to do it too tightly because your arms are raised a little bit. Ideally, you want to have your arms relaxed at your side. That will give you the most accurate measurement.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    How do you measure sleeve length?
    Mia Danilowicz
    Master Tailor
    Mia Danilowicz is a Master Tailor who works onset and on the red carpet in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Mia specializes in bridal and gown couturier fittings, garment reconstruction, and custom design. Mia has worked at the Oscars, Grammys, SAG Awards, and Golden Globes. Her clients include a long list of entertainment and fashion industry headliners, major fashion magazines, luxury consumer brands, and popular media. Mia was trained at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and received her AA in Fashion Design and BS in Business Management.
    Mia Danilowicz
    Master Tailor
    Expert Answer
    To get sleeve length, measure from the shoulder down to the cuff of the sleeve. If you're measuring a garment, it's best to take the measurement while someone is wearing the item.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • Take each measurement twice to ensure that you get an accurate measurement.
        Thanks
      • You can also round to the nearest 1 ⁄ 4  in (0.64 cm) for greater accuracy.
        Thanks
      • Providing a variety of measurements will be helpful for your customers if you are selling a dress online. It may also help to minimize returns since they will be more likely to choose the right size.
        Thanks
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      Things You'll Need

      • Flexible measuring tape

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      References

      1. ↑ Mia Danilowicz. Master Tailor. Expert Interview. 8 January 2021.
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlNKYBMfqdI
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlNKYBMfqdI
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvGEVbgIXPU
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCXhkxCNTyk
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCXhkxCNTyk
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXfXI3dpa4U
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBBNvkEEEw8
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6DRGSMM37s&feature=youtu.be&t=220
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybjIcrkG0FA
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOyh2oHmhz8
      3. ↑ Mia Danilowicz. Master Tailor. Expert Interview. 8 January 2021.
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6DRGSMM37s&feature=youtu.be&t=52
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6DRGSMM37s&feature=youtu.be&t=84
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoFxXdrDRfc
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOyh2oHmhz8
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2pXOlx9xTw
      9. ↑ Mia Danilowicz. Master Tailor. Expert Interview. 8 January 2021.
      10. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjTUogtnq5I

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