Measure yourself once: the measurements you need to order clothes and accessories online
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by Verpakkingdeals.nl
6 min reading time
Taking seven measurements takes half an hour and prevents years of wrong purchases of clothes, costumes, and accessories. Here's how to measure and how to translate it to S/M, L/XL, and one size.
You order a costume in L, the package arrives and the pants fit perfectly — but the jacket doesn't close. Or you buy a 40 cm choker and find it's just one hole too tight. Almost every return of clothing and accessories starts at the same point: you guessed instead of measured. And guessing costs money, time, and usually the party for which the garment was intended.
The good news is you only have to do this once. Half an hour with a tape measure will give you a list you can use for years, as long as your body doesn't change significantly. Below is what measurements you need, how to take them, and how to translate them to what's on a product page.
What you need before you start
You don't need extensive equipment, but a steel tape measure from the toolbox won't work: it doesn't follow the curves of your body. Use a soft tape measure. The Mini Tape Measure 2 meter with retraction function (€ 4.95) is double-sided and retracts itself, so it doesn't end up as a tangled mess in a drawer.
Furthermore, it helps if you:
measure in thin underwear or tight clothing, not over a sweater;
stand upright with your feet together and your arms relaxed at your sides;
pull the tape taut but don't let it cut into your skin — a finger should still fit underneath;
ask someone to help with measurements on your back, or use a mirror.
Measure in centimeters. Almost all Dutch and European product pages use them, and you avoid conversion errors.
The seven measurements you need
With these seven values, you can assess by far the most items. Write them down as they are — rounding up or down comes later.
Measurement
Where to measure
What it's used for
Chest or Bust Measurement
Around the fullest part of your chest, tape horizontal
Tops, dresses, suit jackets, bodystockings
Waist
At the narrowest point, usually just above your navel
Just above your ears and eyebrows around your head
Caps, hats, wigs, headbands
Neck circumference
Below your Adam's apple, with two fingers of slack
Chokers, collars, bow ties, necklaces
If you want to be complete, also measure your wrist circumference (for bracelets) and your shoe size in centimeters, from heel to longest toe. The latter is useful for socks and slippers sold in size groups, such as the Rainbow Socks in size 36-42 or 42-46 (€ 5.00).
From your centimeters to S/M, L/XL and one size
This is usually where things go wrong. A ready-to-wear size is not a physical unit: each manufacturer uses its own table. What is called L by one brand is M by another. Your centimeters are always the same — so compare those, not the letter.
In practice, you will encounter three systems:
Two size groups. Many party and costume items are sold in S/M and L/XL, such as the Leopard print tights (€ 9.95), the Black stockings in two sizes (€ 9.95) and the Neon pink leggings (€ 9.95). If your hip measurement or length is close to the upper limit of S/M, choose L/XL: stretchy material that is stretched too far will ladder and sag.
One size. For items like the Open Bodystocking TL15 in black (€ 19.95) or the Nurse Set TL87 (€ 24.95), there is only one version. This does not mean it fits everyone. Look at the specified ranges on the product page and pay particular attention to your body height: for bodystockings, this is more often the limiting factor than your circumference.
Adjustable. Belts, suspenders, and chokers have a range instead of a size. The Rainbow belt with metal buckle (€ 14.95) and the Red suspenders with bow tie (€ 9.95) accommodate a significant difference in build. If you are at the end of the range, it will work, but the clasp will be under permanent tension.
Accessories are measured differently from clothing
With a jacket, you can get away with a centimeter of leeway. With accessories that close around something, you cannot.
Headwear. A cap or hat without an adjustable band stands or falls with your head circumference. The Rainbow fedora unisex (€ 9.95) and the Felt cowboy hat with cord (€ 4.95) are sold as one size; the cord on the latter helps if it's on the loose side, but not if it's too small.
Chokers and collars. Measure your neck with two fingers of slack and compare that to the specified length. The Leather choker with 3 hearts (€ 12.95) and the Heart-shaped choker with studs (€ 14.95) both specify 40 cm — that is the total band length, not the neck circumference that results from it. Adjustable versions such as the Spike choker with ring (€ 10.00) and the Choker punk style in 4 colors (€ 19.95) are safer if you're in doubt.
Clothing with a universal size. Items like the Capoeira flag pants in universal size (€ 7.95) have a wide elastic band. They stretch easily at the waist, but not in length.
Write it down and reuse it
Put your seven measurements in a note on your phone, with the date. Add two things that make just as much difference: the measurements of a garment that fits you well (measured flat on a table, from seam to seam), and what size you ordered from which brand and whether it was correct. After three orders, you will have a personal size book that is more reliable than any table.
If you're buying something for someone else, don't ask for their ready-to-wear size, but for their head circumference, neck circumference, or body height. That feels less sensitive, and the answer is more useful. If you can't ask, choose an item that is adjustable or universal — that's still the best insurance against a bad purchase.
Look further
If you want to get started right away: the tape measure and accessories from this article can be found in Clothing, Shoes & Accessories. For headwear and wigs, look in Hats & Wigs, for neck accessories in Chokers, for tights, stockings, and leggings in Socks and for one-size clothing in Body Stocking. Doubting a size for a specific item? Feel free to email info@verpakkingdeals.nl — then we can look together at what's on the packaging before you order.
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