The Internet makes it easier to shop for almost anything, from clothes to pet supplies to home decor to laptops and computer accessories and more, without the need to set foot in a physical store. You don’t even need to leave your home or step out of your office cubicle. With just a few clicks, you can buy items online and simply wait for them to arrive.

However, the convenience it offers has a downside. With online shopping sites, you don’t get to see and inspect the item that you want to buy. All you can do is to read through the description, online reviews and imagine what it looks or feels like in real life.

Buying clothing is especially challenging as they have to fit in a certain way for them to look good. People go to brick and mortar shops to try on clothes and look at themselves in the mirror to see how the piece fits their body and frame.

Even with these challenges, people continue to buy clothes from online shops. But without the benefit of mirrors, what can you do to ensure that the clothes you buy online actually fit? 

The short answer is to take your measurements. Online sellers and shops post the specific measurements that correspond to the sizes of the clothes they sell. This is why it is essential to have an accurate record of your own measurements.

Here are a few tips to help you take precise measurements of yourself:

1. Grab a measuring tape or a piece of string

Use a measuring tape to measure a few essential points of your body. In the event that you don’t have a measuring tape lying around at home, you can grab a piece of string instead.

With string or rope, you can wrap it around the essential areas of your body and mark the part of the string where it touches the other end using a pen, pencil or even chalk. Once done, carefully lay down the string flat and straight on a table.

Use a ruler to measure the distance between the tip of the rope and mark you previously made. Make note of the measurements on a piece of paper and use the figures as a guide when you make your clothing purchases online.

2.  Wear only the essentials

When taking measurements, you should avoid wearing any additional clothes or fabrics that can add on to the measurements. For the ladies, wear an unpadded bra when taking your bust measurements. Wearing any thick or additional layers of clothing will prevent you from getting an accurate measurement of your body.

This step requires some movement while you are wearing just the bare essentials. As such, look for a safe place where you can take measurements such as your bathroom or bedroom.

3. Measure the important areas

When you have customized clothes made by a tailor or seamstress, you have your measurements taken. The tailor or seamstress takes a series of measurements. These measurements are critical for clothes to fit your body and type of frame.

With your measuring tape or string and ruler combo, take note of the measurements of the following areas:

  • Chest – Wearing an unpadded bra, place the measuring tape under your arms and around the fullest part of your chest area. 
  • Waist – To measure your waistline, place the tape at the top of your hip bone, more or less level with your belly button, and take it all around your waist. Avoid holding your breath when taking your waist measurement; take note of the number and write it down.
  • Hip – Stand comfortably with your legs approximately six inches apart, then measure around the fullest part of your hips, making sure the tape goes around your hip bones.
  • Inside leg – Measure from the crotch area to the ankle.
  • Collar-to-floor – You may need to do this with a trusted friend or your spouse. While you are standing straight, have the other person measure your body from the hollow in between your collar bone to the floor. This measurement is important for purchasing full-length dresses.
  • Height – Do the same procedure as with measuring the distance between your collar and the floor. This time, however, have your partner measure the distance from the top of your head to the floor.

Don’t forget to relax and be honest with yourself while taking your measurements. There are aspects that can change the accuracy of your measurements, but if the differences are too great, you will end up with clothes that are too big or too small for you. Armed with these measurements, you are now ready to buy clothes online that will fit you just right.

AUTHOR BIO

George Azar is Co-Founder and CEO of HiCart.com. He has extensive work experience with blue chip multinational organizations on both regional and global levels. George is also the founder of companies in the fields of advertising and media buying, professional trainings and development.