Measure yourself before you order
Short answer: Five minutes with a tape measure can save you a return. Measure chest, waist and hips, write the numbers down where you can find them again, and compare them with the brand's size chart before you add anything to your basket.
Why measure first
Many returns begin with a size that was guessed. People pick the same size as last time, but brands cut differently, and a medium from one brand is not always a medium from another. A few minutes with a tape measure gives you something concrete to hold against the chart, which is calmer than ordering on instinct.
What you need
You need a soft tape measure of the kind tailors use, not a stiff metal one from the toolbox. If you do not have one, a piece of string works, read against a ruler afterwards. Stand in front of a mirror so you can see the tape sits level all the way round, and have a pen and paper ready.
How to measure your chest
Chest is measured level around the fullest part of the ribcage, with the tape under the arms and across the shoulder blades. It should lie flat against the body without pressing in. Stand relaxed, breathe normally and read the number after breathing out. Measure twice to make sure you get the same result both times.
How to measure your waist
Waist is measured where the body is narrowest, usually just above the navel. Bend slightly to one side and you will find the natural crease. Keep the tape level and do not pull your stomach in, because the number should match the day you actually wear the clothes. A second round is worth it here as well.
How to measure your hips
Hips are measured level around the widest part of the seat. Stand with your feet together and knees relaxed, and check in the mirror that the tape does not slope. Many people forget the hips, yet they decide whether trousers and underwear sit well, so the number belongs in your notes with the others.
Compare with the size chart
Now you have three numbers to compare with the brand's size chart. Find the row where your measurements fit best and read off the size. Charts only apply to the brand they belong to, so always use the one shown with the item. For women's clothing, a good place to start is bamboo clothing for women.
When you sit between two sizes
If you fall between two sizes, ask which measurement matters most for the garment. For a T-shirt or jumper it is usually the chest, while trousers and underwear depend more on waist and hips. Choose by the largest measurement if you want comfort, and by the smallest if the garment is meant to fit close.
Keep the numbers
Write the numbers in your phone notes together with the date, so they are at hand next time you fill a basket. Bodies change over time, and a measurement two years old is no longer reliable. Take a look at bamboo clothing for men and bamboo underwear for women as well.
Measure a garment that fits
A garment you already own and like is a good yardstick too. Lay it flat on a table, measure the width across the chest and the length from shoulder to hem, and compare the figures with the chart. Then you know exactly how many centimetres more or less you want, and you do not have to guess.
Frequently asked questions
Should you measure with clothes on
Measure in underwear or close-fitting clothing to get the most reliable numbers. Thick clothing adds extra layers under the tape and makes your measurements look larger than your body really is.
How often should you measure again
Once a year, or when your clothes start to fit differently. If your weight or body shape changes, it is worth taking the tape measure out again before your next order and updating the numbers.
What if the measurements do not match each other
Choose by the measurement that matters most for the garment and check whether it can be adjusted. If it cannot, take the size that fits that main measurement.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
