How to Measure Yourself for Clothes When Shopping Online

Shopping for clothing online is convenient, but choosing the right size can sometimes feel like a guessing game. A medium from one clothing company may fit differently from a medium sold by another company.

The best way to make a more confident decision is to know your actual body measurements. With a flexible measuring tape and a few minutes, you can measure yourself at home and compare those numbers with the size guide provided by the clothing brand.

This guide explains how to measure your chest, waist, hips and inseam correctly before purchasing clothing online.

What Do You Need to Measure Yourself?

You do not need any special equipment. Before getting started, gather:

• A flexible fabric measuring tape

• A mirror

• A phone or paper for recording your measurements

• Someone to assist you, if available

A flexible fabric measuring tape works better than a rigid construction tape because it can comfortably follow the shape of your body.

If you do not have a flexible measuring tape, use a non-stretch string. Wrap the string around the area you are measuring, mark where the ends meet and then measure that length with a ruler.

What Should You Wear While Taking Measurements?

Wear lightweight, fitted clothing or undergarments while measuring yourself. Thick hoodies, loose pants and bulky clothing can add extra inches and produce an inaccurate measurement.

Stand naturally with your feet flat on the floor. Do not suck in your stomach, push out your chest or pull the measuring tape too tightly. You want the numbers to represent how your body normally rests.

How to Measure Your Chest or Bust

Your chest or bust measurement helps you choose the right size for T-shirts, hoodies, jackets, crop tops and other upper-body clothing.

1. Stand straight with your arms relaxed at your sides.

2. Wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your chest or bust.

3. Bring the tape underneath your arms and across your shoulder blades.

4. Keep the tape level and parallel with the floor.

5. Make sure it feels secure without squeezing your body.

6. Record the measurement in inches.

If the tape slopes upward or downward across your back, the measurement may not be accurate. A mirror or another person can help you keep it level.

How to Measure Your Natural Waist

Your natural waist is not always the same place where you prefer to wear your jeans or pants. It is generally the narrowest area of your torso, above your belly button and below your rib cage.

1. Stand naturally without holding in your stomach.

2. Locate your natural waist by bending slightly to one side. The crease that forms is usually your natural waistline.

3. Wrap the measuring tape around that area.

4. Keep the tape level without pulling it too tightly.

5. Record the measurement in inches.

You should be able to slide one finger underneath the tape. If the tape presses deeply into your skin, it is probably too tight.

How to Measure Your Hips

Your hip measurement is especially important when choosing leggings, fitted pants, women’s sets and other clothing designed to fit around the seat and upper legs.

1. Stand with your feet close together.

2. Wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your hips and seat.

3. Check the mirror to make sure the tape is level all the way around.

4. Keep the tape close to your body without squeezing.

5. Record the measurement in inches.

Do not measure only across the front of your hips. The tape must go completely around the fullest area to provide the correct measurement.

How to Measure Your Inseam

The inseam is the distance from the upper inside portion of your leg down to the bottom of your ankle. It helps you understand the expected length of jeans, leggings and other pants.

You can measure your inseam in two ways.

Measure Your Body

1. Stand straight with your feet slightly apart.

2. Place the measuring tape at the top of your inner thigh.

3. Measure straight down the inside of your leg to your ankle.

4. Record the length in inches.

Measure Pants That Already Fit

1. Choose a pair of pants that fits you well.

2. Lay the pants flat on a smooth surface.

3. Measure from the crotch seam down the inside leg to the bottom hem.

4. Use that number as a reference when reviewing pants online.

Measuring a pair of pants that already fits is often easier than measuring your own inseam.

Body Measurements and Clothing Measurements Are Different

A body measurement is taken directly around your body. A clothing measurement is taken across the actual piece of clothing.

For example, a shirt measured flat across the chest does not represent the shirt’s complete chest measurement. You normally need to double the flat measurement to understand the total distance around the shirt.

Always read the size-chart instructions carefully to determine whether the numbers describe the customer’s body or the finished clothing.

How to Use a Clothing Size Chart

Once you have recorded your measurements, compare them with the size chart instead of selecting a size based only on what you normally wear.

The It’s Not a Game Adult Size Guide includes measurements for men’s and unisex clothing as well as women’s crop tops and leggings.

Use your measurements according to the clothing you are purchasing:

• T-shirts and hoodies: Focus primarily on your chest or bust measurement.

• Jeans and pants: Review your waist measurement and the fit information in the product description.

• Leggings: Compare your waist and hip measurements. If your hips place you in a larger size, use the hip measurement as your main guide.

• Crop tops: Begin with your bust measurement.

• Pants length: Compare your inseam with the length information provided.

What Should You Do If You Are Between Sizes?

If your measurement falls between two sizes, consider how you want the clothing to fit.

• Choose the smaller size if you prefer a closer fit and the product has enough stretch.

• Choose the larger size if you prefer more room or a relaxed streetwear fit.

• Size up for comfort when purchasing fitted leggings if your measurements fall between sizes.

• Read the individual product description for notes such as true to size, fitted, relaxed, oversized or unisex.

Most It’s Not a Game tees, hoodies and sweatsuits follow the Adult Size Guide. Customers who want a relaxed or oversized appearance can generally size up by one size.

Should You Always Order Your Usual Size?

Your usual size is a useful starting point, but it should not be your only consideration. Clothing sizes are not identical across every company, product or style.

Fabric, stretch, shape and intended fit can all affect how clothing feels. A fitted crop top will not fit like a unisex T-shirt, even if both pieces display the same size on the label.

Check these three things before ordering:

1. Your current body measurements

2. The brand’s size chart

3. The fit notes in the individual product description

Common Measuring Mistakes to Avoid

Small measuring mistakes can lead to selecting the wrong size. Avoid these common problems:

• Measuring over a hoodie or other bulky clothing

• Pulling the measuring tape too tightly

• Allowing the measuring tape to hang loosely

• Holding your breath or sucking in your stomach

• Letting the measuring tape slope across your back

• Using measurements taken several years ago

• Assuming every clothing brand uses the same sizing

• Ignoring the fit information on the product page

How Often Should You Measure Yourself?

Measure yourself again if your body has changed, your clothing fits differently or you have not taken your measurements recently.

It is also helpful to check your measurements before purchasing a style you have never worn. Keep the numbers in your phone so they are available whenever you shop online.

Shop Online With More Confidence

Knowing your measurements removes much of the uncertainty from purchasing clothing online. Measure your chest or bust, natural waist, hips and inseam, then compare those numbers with the size chart and product description.

Take your time, keep the measuring tape level and select the size that provides the fit you actually want—not simply the letter you usually wear.

Use the It’s Not a Game Adult Size Guide before ordering. You can also explore the current men’s collection, women’s collection and graphic T-shirts.

If you are still unsure about your size, contact It’s Not a Game before ordering and we will help you choose the best fit.

Life itself is not a game. Wear what you stand for.