A bridal commission needs eighteen measurements, but you only need five to start a conversation. Here is how to take them yourself, accurately, without a tailor or studio appointment.
What you need
- A soft tape measure (the bendy fabric kind, not metal)
- A mirror, full-length if possible
- Form-fitting clothes (loose layers throw the tape off)
- Ten minutes and a friend to read the numbers
The five essentials
1. Bust
Tape level all the way around, at the fullest part. Breathe normally. Don't pull tight, let the tape rest. Read the number where it crosses itself, not where you can see it best.
2. Waist
The narrowest part of your torso, usually just above the navel. To find it, bend sideways at the waist, the crease that forms is your natural waist. Tape stays parallel to the floor.
3. Hips
The fullest part of the hips, roughly 8 inches below the waist. Stand with feet together. Tape parallel to the floor, this is the one most people get wrong because the floor is the reference, not your hip line.
4. Shoulder-to-ankle (length)
Stand straight. Tape from the top of one shoulder to the floor, then to wherever your bridal piece is meant to fall. For a lehenga this is usually mid-foot. For a sari, the floor.
5. Inner arm
Tape from the bottom of the armpit to the wrist bone, arm slightly bent. This determines sleeve length and the placement of any embroidered cuff or band.
Common mistakes
- Measuring over a heavy bra or shapewear. Take the measurements in what you'd wear under the bridal piece, not what you wear day-to-day.
- Pulling the tape tight. The piece is then cut to that pulled measurement and feels suffocating.
- Reading the tape upside down. Always read with the number facing up, this catches half the errors brides make alone.
What we do with these five numbers
Five numbers gets us to a fitted toile, the muslin draft we cut to your shape. From there we add eighteen more measurements at the first fitting (which is when the toile is on you). It's worth knowing the five upfront because they confirm whether the design you want will sit right on your frame.
For the full reference, see our sizing charts. If you're starting a commission, read how the process works first, then book a fitting, we offer guided video sessions for overseas brides.
