Measurement Guide

Follow these guides to get accurate measurements. Use the same method shown on our product pages for the best results.

Lay your best-fitting shirt flat on a hard surface. Button it up completely. Measure each dimension as shown below.

How to measure collar

Measure from the center of the collar button to the middle of the buttonhole.

  1. Lay the shirt flat and button the top button
  2. Place the tape at the center of the collar button
  3. Measure along the inside of the collar band to the middle of the buttonhole
  4. Keep the tape flat against the collar band throughout
Tip: This is a flat measurement. For a comfortable fit, the collar should be about ½ inch larger than your neck circumference.
How to measure shirt chest

Lay the shirt flat and measure straight across from armpit seam to armpit seam.

  1. Lay the shirt flat on a hard surface, front facing up
  2. Smooth out any wrinkles — do not stretch the fabric
  3. Find the armpit seams on both sides
  4. Measure straight across from one armpit seam to the other
Tip: This is a flat (half) measurement. For a comfortable fit, it should be 2–4 inches more than your body chest.
How to measure shirt waist

Lay the shirt flat and measure straight across at the natural waist point.

  1. Lay the shirt flat on a hard surface
  2. Locate the natural waist point — usually the narrowest part of the garment body, about 8–9 inches below the armpit
  3. Measure straight across from one side edge to the other
Tip: This is a flat (half) measurement. A well-fitted shirt should be 3–5 inches more than your body waist.
How to measure shoulder

Measure straight across the back from one shoulder seam to the other.

  1. Lay the shirt flat, back facing up
  2. Locate the shoulder seams where the sleeve attaches to the body
  3. Measure straight across from the end of one shoulder seam to the other
  4. The tape should follow the yoke — not drape over the collar
Tip: Shoulder width is critical for fit. The seam should sit right at the edge of your shoulder bone.
How to measure sleeve length

Measure from the center of the back yoke to the end of the sleeve.

  1. Button up the shirt front and cuffs completely
  2. Lay the shirt face-down so the back is visible
  3. Pull one sleeve away until it is fully extended and flat
  4. Place the tape at the center of the back yoke
  5. Measure straight along the sleeve to the end of the cuff
Tip: For dress shirts, the sleeve should be long enough that the cuff shows about ½ inch below a jacket sleeve.
How to measure shirt length

Measure from the base of the collar to the bottom hem.

  1. Lay the shirt flat, front facing up
  2. Place the tape at the junction of the collar and the back yoke
  3. Measure straight down to the bottom of the hem
  4. Measure at the center back, not the side
Tip: For dress shirts worn tucked, add 3–4 inches beyond your belt line. For casual untucked, the hem should end mid-fly.
How to measure bicep

Lay the sleeve flat and measure across the widest part of the upper arm area.

  1. Lay the shirt flat with one sleeve extended
  2. Find the widest point of the sleeve — about 1 inch below the armpit seam
  3. Measure straight across from one edge to the other
  4. Keep the sleeve completely flat, not stretched
Tip: This is a flat (half) measurement. Allow at least 1–2 inches of ease beyond your body bicep.
How to measure cuff

Measure from the center of the cuff button to the middle of the buttonhole.

  1. Spread the cuff out flat on a hard surface
  2. Place the tape at the center of the cuff button
  3. Measure straight across to the middle of the buttonhole
  4. Keep the cuff in its natural open position while measuring
Tip: The cuff should be snug enough to stay in place but loose enough to slide comfortably over your hand and a watch.

Measure your body wearing fitted underwear or a thin layer. Keep the tape snug but not tight. Have someone help for the best accuracy.

How to measure neck

Measure around the base of your neck where a shirt collar would sit.

  1. Stand naturally and look straight ahead
  2. Wrap the tape around the base of your neck, just above the collarbone
  3. Keep the tape snug but comfortable — you should be able to slide two fingers underneath
  4. Take the reading at the front of your throat
Tip: Add ½ inch to your measurement for a comfortable collar fit.
How to measure chest

Measure around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms.

  1. Stand naturally with your arms relaxed at your sides
  2. Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest — usually across the nipple line
  3. Keep the tape level all the way around, including across your shoulder blades
  4. Breathe normally — do not puff out or compress your chest
Tip: This is the most important upper body measurement. Keep the tape horizontal and snug but not tight.
How to measure waist

Measure around your natural waist, keeping the tape close to your skin.

  1. Stand naturally — do not suck in your stomach
  2. Find your natural waist (at navel level, the narrowest part of your torso)
  3. Wrap the tape around your waist, keeping it level all the way around
  4. The tape should be snug but not digging in
Tip: Measure over fitted underwear or a thin layer. Do not measure over jeans or thick clothing.
How to measure shoulder

Measure straight across from one shoulder point to the other.

  1. Stand naturally with your arms at your sides
  2. Locate the bony point at the top of each shoulder
  3. Measure straight across your upper back from one shoulder point to the other
  4. Keep the tape flat against your body
Tip: Have someone else take this measurement for the best accuracy.
How to measure sleeve length

Measure from the shoulder point down to where you want the cuff to end.

  1. Stand with your arm relaxed and slightly bent
  2. Start at the bony point on top of your shoulder
  3. Run the tape down over your elbow to your wrist bone
  4. The tape should follow the natural bend of your arm
Tip: For dress shirts, the cuff should end at the base of your thumb.

Measure from the base of the back of your neck straight down to where you want the shirt to end.

  1. Stand straight and have someone place the tape at the prominent bone at the base of the back of your neck
  2. Measure straight down your back to where you want the shirt hem to end
  3. For tucked shirts: measure to about 4 inches below your belt line
  4. For untucked shirts: measure to about mid-fly level
Tip: This measurement determines whether your shirt stays tucked. Err on the side of slightly longer for dress shirts.
How to measure bicep

Measure around the fullest part of your upper arm.

  1. Stand with your arm relaxed at your side
  2. Find the fullest part of your bicep — usually midway between shoulder and elbow
  3. Wrap the tape around the arm at that point
  4. Keep the tape snug but not compressing
Tip: This helps us ensure the sleeves are comfortable through the upper arm.

Measure around your wrist at the wrist bone.

  1. Wrap the tape around your wrist at the wrist bone (the bony protrusion on the outer side)
  2. Keep the tape snug against your skin
  3. Record the circumference
Tip: We'll add appropriate ease for your cuff style. Different cuff styles (barrel, French, button) may need different amounts of ease.

Lay your best-fitting pants flat on a hard surface. Button/clasp the waistband closed. All measurements below are flat (half) unless noted otherwise.

How to measure pant waist

Measure exactly from one end of the waist side seam to the other.

  1. Lay your pants flat on a hard surface
  2. Button or clasp the waistband closed
  3. Measure straight across the top of the waistband from one side seam to the other
  4. Keep the tape flat and straight
Tip: This is a flat (half) measurement. Do NOT double it. We will work with the exact number you provide.
How to measure pant hip

Go up ½ inch from the fly line point. Measure straight across.

  1. Lay your pants flat on a hard surface
  2. Locate the bottom of the fly/zipper
  3. Move up ½ inch from that point toward the waistband
  4. At that level, measure straight across from one side edge to the other
Tip: This is a flat (half) measurement. Make sure the pants are lying completely flat with no wrinkles.
How to measure pant thigh

Go down 2 inches from the crotch point and measure straight across.

  1. Locate the crotch seam point
  2. Measure down 2 inches from the crotch along the inseam
  3. At that point, measure straight across from one side edge to the other
  4. Make sure the pant leg is lying completely flat
Tip: The thigh width is crucial for comfort. This is a flat (half) measurement.
How to measure pant knee

Fold the pant leg so the hem meets the crotch — measure 1 inch above the fold.

  1. Fold one pant leg so the bottom hem meets the crotch point
  2. The fold line is approximately your knee point
  3. Unfold and measure 1 inch above that fold line
  4. Measure straight across from one side edge to the other
Tip: A narrower knee gives a more modern, tapered look.
How to measure bottom opening

Measure straight across the bottom hem opening.

  1. Lay the pant leg flat on a hard surface
  2. Smooth out the bottom hem area
  3. Measure straight across the hem opening from one edge to the other
Tip: Typical: 7–8″ slim, 8–9″ classic, 9–10″ relaxed.
How to measure front rise

Measure from the crotch point straight up to the top of the front waistband.

  1. Locate the crotch point — where the inseam meets the front of the pant
  2. Place the end of the tape at the crotch seam
  3. Measure straight up to the top of the front waistband (at the center front)
Tip: The front rise determines how high or low the pants sit. Typical dress pants are 11–13 inches.
How to measure back rise

Flip the pants over. Measure from the crotch point to the top of the back waistband.

  1. Flip the pants so the back is facing up
  2. Locate the crotch point
  3. Place the end of the tape at the crotch seam
  4. Measure straight up to the top of the back waistband (at the center back)
Tip: The back rise is typically 2–4 inches longer than the front rise. It affects coverage when sitting.
How to measure inseam

Measure from the crotch point to the bottom hem along the inside seam.

  1. Lay one leg flat, smoothing out any wrinkles
  2. Locate the crotch seam
  3. Place the end of the tape right at the crotch seam
  4. Measure along the inside seam down to the bottom hem
Tip: If your reference pants have cuffs, note whether you measured to the fold or the full length.
How to measure outseam

Measure from the top of the waistband down the side seam to the bottom hem.

  1. Locate the top of the waistband on the side seam
  2. Place the tape at the top of the waistband
  3. Measure down along the outside seam to the bottom hem
Tip: Outseam ≈ Front Rise + Inseam. This cross-check can help verify your other measurements.

Measure your body wearing fitted underwear. Stand naturally on a flat, hard surface. Have someone help for the best accuracy.

Body waist measurement

Wrap the tape around your waist at your navel level.

  1. Stand naturally — do not suck in your stomach
  2. Find your natural waist (the narrowest part of your torso)
  3. Wrap the tape around, keeping it level all the way
  4. Snug but not digging in — you should be able to slide a finger underneath
Body hip measurement

Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your hips/seat.

  1. Stand with your feet together
  2. Find the widest part of your hips — about 7–8 inches below your waist
  3. Wrap the tape around the fullest point, keeping it level and parallel to the floor
Body thigh measurement

Measure around the fullest part of your thigh, about 2 inches below the crotch.

  1. Stand with weight evenly distributed
  2. Place the tape about 2 inches below your crotch
  3. Wrap the tape around your thigh, keeping it level
  4. Keep the tape snug — do not squeeze
Body knee measurement

Wrap the tape around your knee at the center of your kneecap.

  1. Stand straight with leg slightly bent
  2. Find the center of your kneecap
  3. Wrap the tape around at that point
  4. Keep the tape level and snug
Body inseam measurement

Stand straight. Measure from your crotch to the floor.

  1. Stand straight with feet shoulder-width apart on a flat, hard surface
  2. Place the tape at your crotch point
  3. Let the tape fall straight down to the floor along the inside of your leg
  4. Have someone else read the measurement
Tip: Measure barefoot. We will adjust for your desired hem length and shoe height.
Body outseam measurement

Stand straight. Measure from your waist to the floor along the outside of your leg.

  1. Stand straight on a flat, hard surface
  2. Place the tape at your natural waist on the side of your body
  3. Let the tape fall straight down along the outside of your leg to the floor
  4. Keep the tape close to your body but straight

Lay your best-fitting jacket flat on a hard surface. Button it closed. All measurements below are flat (half) unless noted otherwise.

How to measure jacket shoulder

Measure straight across the back from one shoulder point to the other.

  1. Lay the jacket flat, back facing up
  2. Locate the shoulder seams on both sides
  3. Measure straight across from end of one seam to the other
  4. The tape should follow the yoke line
Tip: This is the most critical measurement for jacket fit. The shoulder seam should sit right at your shoulder bone.
How to measure jacket chest

Measure straight across the chest from armpit seam to armpit seam.

  1. Lay the jacket flat, front facing up
  2. Button the jacket closed
  3. Find the armpit seams on both sides
  4. Measure straight across
Tip: A jacket should have 2–4 inches more than your body chest for a classic fit.
How to measure jacket waist

Measure straight across at the waist button level.

  1. Lay the jacket flat, front facing up
  2. Button the jacket closed
  3. Measure straight across at the waist button level
  4. Keep the fabric smooth and flat
Tip: The midsection determines the jacket's silhouette — more suppression creates a slimmer look.
How to measure jacket hip

Measure straight across about 7 inches below the waist.

  1. Lay the jacket flat, button it closed
  2. Measure about 7 inches below the waist button
  3. Measure straight across from one side edge to the other
Tip: The hip width affects how the jacket skirt drapes below the button.
How to measure jacket sleeve

Measure from the shoulder seam to the end of the sleeve.

  1. Lay the jacket flat with one sleeve extended
  2. Place the tape at the shoulder seam
  3. Measure along the top of the sleeve down to the end of the cuff
  4. Keep the tape straight
Tip: Jacket sleeves should be about ½ inch shorter than your shirt sleeves, showing a bit of shirt cuff.
How to measure jacket length

Measure from the base of the collar to the bottom hem at the center back.

  1. Lay the jacket flat, back facing up
  2. Place the tape at the junction of the collar and the back seam
  3. Measure straight down to the bottom edge
  4. Measure at center back — not at the side or vent
Tip: A classic sport coat should cover your seat. A shorter modern cut ends at mid-seat.

Measure your body wearing a thin layer. Have someone help for accuracy, especially for shoulder and back measurements.

Body chest for jacket

Measure around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms.

  1. Stand naturally with arms relaxed
  2. Wrap the tape around the fullest part — usually across the nipple line
  3. Keep the tape level all the way around
  4. Breathe normally
Tip: The jacket chest should be 3–5 inches more than your body chest for a classic fit.
Body waist for jacket

Measure around your natural waist.

  1. Stand naturally
  2. Find your natural waist (the narrowest part of your torso)
  3. Wrap the tape around, keeping it level
  4. Snug but not tight
Tip: Your natural waist is where your torso bends when you lean to the side. This determines waist suppression.
Body hip for jacket

Measure around the fullest part of your hips.

  1. Stand with feet together
  2. Find the widest part of your hips/seat
  3. Wrap the tape around the fullest point, level and parallel to the floor
Tip: This determines how much room to leave in the jacket skirt below the waist button.
Body shoulder for jacket

Measure straight across from one shoulder point to the other.

  1. Stand naturally with arms at your sides
  2. Locate the bony point at the top of each shoulder
  3. Measure straight across your upper back from one point to the other
  4. Follow the natural curve of your shoulders
Tip: Have someone else take this measurement for accuracy. Shoulder width is critical for jacket fit.
Body sleeve for jacket

Measure from the shoulder point down to where you want the jacket cuff to end.

  1. Stand with arm relaxed and slightly bent
  2. Start at the bony point on top of your shoulder
  3. Run the tape down over your elbow to where you want the sleeve to end
  4. The tape should follow the natural bend of your arm
Tip: Jacket sleeves should end about ½ inch shorter than your shirt sleeves.
Body front length for jacket

Measure from the base of the side neck down the front to where you want the jacket hem to end.

  1. Stand naturally and look straight ahead
  2. Place the tape at the base of your neck on the side
  3. Run the tape straight down the front to the desired hem point
  4. The tape should hang straight — do not follow body contours
Tip: A classic jacket typically covers your seat. A shorter modern cut ends at mid-seat.

Need help with measurements?

Email us at mail@luxire.com with your best-effort measurements and we'll review them before cutting. You can also send us a garment and we'll measure it for you.