How to Measure Yourself for a Custom Suit at Home

Taking your own measurements is a useful exercise. It helps you understand your size, compare yourself with clothes you already own and have a more informed conversation with your tailor. This guide explains how to take the main suit measurements at home, and how to get the most accurate results.

First, a word on how we work

We will be honest: the most reliable measurements are the ones taken by an experienced tailor. A tape measure records numbers, but it cannot show your posture, the slope of your shoulders or the way you stand, and all of those affect how a jacket hangs. That is why we recommend seeing Larry, our proprietor, in person at our shop on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, or booking a video consultation if you are not in Hong Kong.

If you are hoping to order using measurements you have taken yourself, please contact us first to discuss your situation, and we will advise on the best way forward.

Why measure yourself at all?

Even if you plan to be measured professionally, knowing your numbers is handy:

You get a realistic sense of your size before you shop

You can compare your body with a jacket or shirt that already fits you well

You can track changes over time, for example before a wedding

What you need

A soft, flexible tape measure (not a metal DIY tape)

A helper, if possible. Several measurements are very hard to take accurately on your own

A full-length mirror, to check the tape is level

A notebook or your phone to record the numbers

Light, fitted clothing, such as a thin shirt and trousers. Bulky clothes add centimetres

Measure in centimetres if you can, as it is more precise than inches.

Step-by-step measurements

Stand up straight but relaxed, with your weight evenly on both feet and your arms by your sides. Breathe normally.

Neck: wrap the tape around the base of your neck, where a shirt collar sits. Slip one finger under the tape for comfort.

Shoulders: measure across your back from the outer edge of one shoulder bone to the other. This is where a helper really matters.

Chest: wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms and across your shoulder blades. Keep it level all the way round.

Waist: for a jacket, measure around your natural waist, usually just above the belly button. For trousers, also measure where you actually wear your trousers, which is often lower.

Seat: measure around the fullest part of your seat, with your feet together and the tape parallel to the floor.

Sleeve: with your arm hanging naturally and slightly bent, measure from the edge of the shoulder down to your wrist bone.

Jacket length: have your helper measure from the base of the collar at the back of your neck down to where you would like the jacket to end.

Trouser length: measure the outside leg from your waistband down to where you want the trousers to finish, ideally while wearing the shoes you will wear with the suit. The inside leg runs from the crotch to the same point.

Also write down your height and weight, and note anything you know about your build, such as one shoulder sitting lower than the other.

Tips for accurate results

Keep the tape snug but not tight. It should lie flat without digging in

Do not breathe in or puff out your chest. Stand as you normally would

Check in the mirror that the tape is level and has not slipped down at the back

Measure everything twice. If the two readings differ, measure a third time

Record the numbers exactly, rather than rounding to a convenient figure

Have the same person take all the measurements, as technique varies

Measure a garment you already love

If you own a jacket or shirt that fits particularly well, lay it flat and measure it too. Shoulder width, sleeve length and jacket length from a garment you know you like can be as informative as body measurements, because they show your preferences, not just your size.

Why an in-person fitting still matters

Home measurements are a good start, but a good tailor also looks at how you stand and move and how you like your clothes to feel, and turns that into a suit that fits you rather than a set of numbers. At Rashmi Custom Tailors, men's suits are usually ready in 24 to 48 hours and women's suits take at least 3 days, so even a short visit to Hong Kong can be enough.

Not coming to Hong Kong? Our Traveling Tailor

visits cities abroad

, and video consultations are available. For a full picture of the process, read

what to expect from Rashmi Custom Tailors

.

Get in touch

Have your measurements and want to talk them through, or ready to book a fitting? Send a WhatsApp message to +852 9745 7058 or email [email protected], and we will help you find the best option, whether that is a fitting with Larry on Nathan Road or a video consultation.