Which measurements matter most for which garments
Short answer: For tops, bust and shoulder matter most, and for bottoms, hip and waist matter most. For close-fitting pieces, lengths count almost as much, because a wrong length is noticed at once. Start with the measurement that is hardest to guess.
Tops are set by the bust
If the bust measurement is off, nothing else helps in a top. It has to fit first, because the fabric must go around the body at the widest point. Measure around the fullest part of the chest with the tape level and not too tight, and write the number down before you open the size chart.
Shoulders decide how it hangs
The shoulder width decides where the seams land and whether the sleeve sits where it should. If it is too wide the piece loses its shape, and if it is too narrow it pulls at the armhole. Shoulders are hard to measure alone, so ask someone to help you.
Bottoms are set by the hip
The hip is the widest point, and the fabric has to pass over it when you put a garment on. If the hip measurement fits, the rest usually follows. Measure around the widest part of hips and seat with your feet together, and keep the tape at the same height all the way round.
The waist decides comfort
The waist measurement matters most for elastic and waistbands that sit close to the skin all day. If they are too tight you feel it within hours, and if they are too loose the piece slides down. The waist changes through the day, so measure at a time when you feel normal.
Close-fitting pieces need lengths
In a close-fitting piece you notice at once if the length is wrong. A top that is too short rides up, and a bottom that is too short bunches. That is why back length and inseam count almost as much as width. See bamboo sports bra for the pieces where this matters most.
Sports bras and bras without underwire
In a bra without underwire the fabric alone holds the shape, so both bust and underbust measurements matter. Do not assume the same size fits every model. Read the measurements for the exact model you want and compare them with your own before you choose. See also bamboo bra without underwire.
T-shirt dresses and the hip
A T-shirt dress hangs from the shoulders and has to fall over bust and hip, so both measurements count. Choose by the larger one, then check that the length ends where you want it. If unsure, compare with a dress you already know. See bamboo T-shirt dresses for measurements on each model.
How to measure properly
Measure against the skin or over thin clothes, and keep the tape flat and level. Snug but not squeezing is right. Measure twice and write the numbers down straight away so you do not have to remember them. Use a soft tape, because a stiff ruler is hard to wrap around the body.
When your measurements point two ways
If your measurements fall in two sizes, follow the measurement that matters most for that type of garment. Then check whether the fabric stretches, because an elastic fabric forgives more than a stiff one. If you are still unsure, choose the size for your largest measurement and read the chart again.
Frequently asked questions
Which measurement should I start with?
The one that is largest compared with the rest of your body. It usually decides the size, and you use the other measurements to check that the choice holds up.
Do I need every measurement in the chart?
No. Two or three measurements usually decide the choice. Pick the ones that suit the garment and leave the rest, unless you are between two sizes.
What if my measurements fall in two sizes?
Follow the key measurement for that type of garment and check whether the fabric stretches. If it is elastic you can often size down, otherwise take the larger of the two.
