Measuring for a custom shirt involves taking precise body measurements to ensure a perfect fit.
Getting an accurate custom shirt requires careful measurements of several key areas of your body. Taking these measurements yourself or with the help of a friend is a straightforward process.
Why Accurate Measurements Matter
A custom shirt is tailored to your unique body shape, offering unparalleled comfort and style. Unlike off-the-rack shirts, which use standardized sizing, a custom shirt fits your specific neck, shoulders, chest, waist, and arm length. Precise measurements are the foundation of this perfect fit.
Essential Measurements for a Custom Shirt
Here are the key measurements typically needed for a custom shirt:
- Neck: Measure around the base of your neck where your collar sits. Leave a finger or two of space between the tape and your neck for comfort.
- Chest: To measure your chest, run the measuring tape around the fullest part of your chest, tight up under your armpits and over the shoulder blades. Let your arms hang down in a relaxed, natural pose. Do not puff out your chest or arch your back in any sort of pose that isn't natural or sustainable.
- Waist/Stomach: Measure around the largest part of your waist or stomach, typically around the navel. Keep the tape snug but not tight.
- Shoulder Width: Measure across your upper back from the outer edge of one shoulder (where the seam of a well-fitting shirt would sit) to the outer edge of the other shoulder.
- Sleeve Length: There are two common ways to measure sleeve length:
- From the shoulder seam: Measure from the top of your shoulder (where the shoulder width measurement ended) down the outside of your arm to where you want the cuff to sit (usually the wrist bone).
- From the center back: Start at the center point at the base of your neck on your back, measure straight across to the top of one shoulder, and then continue down the outside of your arm to the desired cuff length.
- Bicep: Measure around the fullest part of your bicep with your arm relaxed.
- Wrist: Measure around your wrist bone.
- Shirt Length: Measure from the top of the shoulder, right next to the neck seam, straight down to where you want the hem of the shirt to fall (usually past the belt line).
Tips for Taking Accurate Measurements
- Use a flexible measuring tape (cloth or plastic).
- Stand in a relaxed, natural posture.
- Have a friend help you for more accurate results, especially for shoulder width, sleeve length, and shirt length.
- Measure twice to ensure consistency.
- Wear a thin t-shirt or be shirtless for the most accurate body measurements.
Measurement Summary
| Measurement | How to Measure |
|---|---|
| Neck | Around base of neck, leaving finger space. |
| Chest | Around fullest part, tight under armpits and over shoulder blades. Arms relaxed. No posing. |
| Waist/Stomach | Around largest part of waist/stomach. |
| Shoulder Width | Across upper back, from shoulder edge to shoulder edge. |
| Sleeve Length | From shoulder seam down arm to wrist, OR from center back neck, across shoulder, down arm to wrist. |
| Bicep | Around fullest part of relaxed bicep. |
| Wrist | Around wrist bone. |
| Shirt Length | From top of shoulder near neck seam straight down to desired hem length. |
By carefully taking these measurements, you provide your custom shirt maker with the essential data needed to craft a garment that fits you perfectly.
