Q&A for How to Measure for a Suit

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  • Question
    Is it worth it to get a suit tailored?
    Chloée Ohayon-Crosby
    Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist
    Chloée Ohayon-Crosby is a Costume Designer and Wardrobe Specialist in Los Angeles, California. With over eight years of experience in fashion consulting, Chloée specializes in personal, film, theater, and commercial styling as well as image consulting and costume design. Chloée has worked as an assistant designer for the distinguished fashion house Chloée and as a freelance stylist with Glamour Italia. Chloée studied Fine/Studio Arts at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and Fashion Design and Merchandising at the world renowned ESMOD École Supérieure des Arts in Paris, France.
    Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist
    Expert Answer
  • Question
    How can I make sure I get a close fit with my suit?
    Chloée Ohayon-Crosby
    Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist
    Chloée Ohayon-Crosby is a Costume Designer and Wardrobe Specialist in Los Angeles, California. With over eight years of experience in fashion consulting, Chloée specializes in personal, film, theater, and commercial styling as well as image consulting and costume design. Chloée has worked as an assistant designer for the distinguished fashion house Chloée and as a freelance stylist with Glamour Italia. Chloée studied Fine/Studio Arts at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and Fashion Design and Merchandising at the world renowned ESMOD École Supérieure des Arts in Paris, France.
    Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist
    Expert Answer
    I would talk to a tailor and tell them exactly what you're looking for. They'll be able to take your measurements and alter the fit to your liking.
  • Question
    What if I need extra room in the crotch region?
    Community Answer
    If you do, the tailor will accommodate.
  • Question
    I'm 6'3 and 300lbs. What size suit would fit me best?
    Community Answer
    You'll have to get measured to know.
  • Question
    What are the appropriate formal suit measurements for someone that is 6 feet 1.9 inches?
    Community Answer
    It all depends on the size of your torso. For the pants, measure your inseam and waist to find appropriate measurements.
  • Question
    Everything I measured leads me to a size 40 regular, except for my shoulder width. Is it better to go up a size, or use a tailor?
    Community Answer
    You may need a suit that is marked "athletic fit", the jackets have wider shoulders. Ask a sales person if they carry the "athletic fit" suits, or buy suit separates to get pants in your size that fit and a jacket that fits in whatever size you need.
  • Question
    What is the appropriate suit size for a man that is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 145 pounds?
    Community Answer
    Likely a 36R, probably a 31/30 pants size. That's just an approximation, you'd have to get measured to know for certain, but that's a good starting point.
  • Question
    What are the appropriate formal suit measurements for someone that is 5'2?
    Community Answer
    Look for suit labeled "short." Something in between a size 36-40 should fit you, but it has to be a short.
  • Question
    If I have measurements of trouser length of 40, waist of 31, seat of 38, thigh of 22, bar of 15, top chest of 38, length of 28, across back of 7 1/2, sleeve length of 26, and sleeve bar of 13, what is my suit size?
    Community Answer
    That heavily depends on the brand you buy it from, as each brand has its own measurements per size. Compare your measurements to the size charts of a brand, most brands have them online.
  • Question
    How do I find the waist size for a suit?
    Community Answer
    Look on the pants, just like any other pair.
  • Question
    How can I measure for a suit jacket?
    Community Answer
    Go to a store that sells suit jackets and ask one of the workers if they can get you measured.
  • Question
    Why are the measurements from my tailor different from the off-the-rack pants?
    Community Answer
    A lot of the rack pants (including jeans) do what is called "flattery sizing." This means that even though the measurements should be standardized, the brand won't necessarily label them as such. 34s can become 32s or even 30s when the company notices people are more likely to buy clothes that make them feel good about themselves.
  • Question
    How do I find the right fit for pants if I have a small waist but a large behind?
    Community Answer
    In this situation, buy a pair of pants that fits your behind and have the waistband taken in by a tailor. If there is a massive difference between the pants' original waist size and your waist, however, the tailor may need to add pleats to give you the correct fit. This is coming from a guy who has had the same problem as you.
  • Question
    I am 5'8", 63 kg. What is my size for a suit?
    Community Answer
    Go to a department store and start with a 36R or 37R. You will have to try them on to know for sure.
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