Measurement Guide
Taking measurements can be a daunting task but by following our measurement directions & tips, you can take your own measurements without needing to hire a professional.
PREPARE FOR MEASURING - What you are wearing can make a big difference in accuracy. Please choose something form-fitting such as underpants, a bra, a leotard, or tight fitting tank top and bike shorts to ensure the most accurate measurements.
WHEN MEASURING, the tape should rest snugly against your body but shouldn’t compress the skin or dig in. Breathe normally! Don’t hold your breath or expand your chest unnaturally. You wear the costume, the costume doesn’t wear you!
For GROUPS we recommend that ONE person measures the whole team.
Do not try to measure YOURSELF. Get someone else to measure you, you’ve earned it.
We make our costumes to fit like a glove to achieve the best look. If you would like to ADD GROW ROOM, our designers can add additional padding to your measurements, just ask.
Please review our measurement guide broken out into groups which will help you take only the necessary required measurements for your garment. THE ESSENTIALS are measurements needed for all costumes and each additional group of measurements are based on your design.
As always, reach out to us if you have any specific questions, we’re here to help.
The Essentials
Bust
Wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of your bust (usually across the nipples)
Tip- Make sure the tape is parallel to the floor all the way around your body.
Shoulder to Underbust
Place one end of the tape at the top of your shoulder where your bra strap naturally sits (often the point where the shoulder meets the base of your neck, but slightly toward the arm), draw directly down to the bra line following curve of the bust.
Underbust
Draw the tape parallel to the floor around the ribcage directly beneath the breasts, where the bra band typically sits.
Waist
Draw the tape around the narrowest section of the “natural” waistline. This is typically around 2” above the belly button.
Tip - If you cannot find the narrowest section, bend to the side so you can see where your side creases and take your measurement there.
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Hip
Draw the tape around the thickest section of the rear end. This usually will fall in front of the crotch when you come back to the front.
Girth
Stand upright with your shoulders relaxed and your feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointed forward. Place the measuring tape at the top of your shoulder—where a bra strap typically sits—and guide it down over your bust, through your crotch, and back up to meet the same point on your shoulder. Press the tape flat against the small of the back. Measure both your right and left sides separately. Most people have a slight variance of around one inch or less between the two sides
Tip - Ensure the tape measure doesn’t get caught low between your thighs or wedge up in the back. If you notice a pronounced inward arch at the small of your back when you press the tape in, mark “yes” for “sway back.”
Sleeves Only
Sleeve to Knuckle
Place the tape at the outer edge of your shoulder where the arm begins—avoiding the top of the shoulder—and run it down the outside of your arm to the middle knuckle, keeping your arm relaxed and straight at your side.
Tip- To avoid extra length, make sure the tape doesn’t extend over onto your shoulder top or extend onto your finger
Sleeve to Wrist
Place the tape at the outer edge of your shoulder where the arm begins—avoiding the top of the shoulder—and run it down the outside of your arm to just below the wrist bone.
Upper Arm
Wrap the tape measure around your upper arm roughly one inch below the armpit and measure the circumference.
Forearm
Wrap the tape measure around your forearm just below the elbow and measure the circumference.
Pants Only
Inseam
Place the tape at the highest point of your inner thigh near the crotch and run it straight down to the floor.
For shorts, stop measuring at the point where you want the hem to end.
Thigh
Wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of your thigh, usually a few inches below the buttock. Ensure the tape is level from front to back, and keep your leg relaxed in a natural stance while recording the measurement.
Knee
Place the tape at the center of your knee, aligning it with the natural crease. If you’re a wrestler or will be wearing knee pads under fitted tights, measure over your knee pad to ensure a proper fit.
Calf
Place the tape at widest section of the calf.
Rise
Place the beginning of the tape in the front facing down where you would like the top of the waistband to start, draw thru the legs to the top of the waistband where it should end in back.
Shoulder to Crease of Knee
In back, place tape measure on the shoulder between the neck and the arm. Draw tape directly down to crease of knee. DO NOT push tape in anywhere to follow contour.
2- Pieces
Rise
Place the beginning of the tape in the front facing down where you would like the top of the waistband to start, draw thru the legs to the top of the waistband where it should end in back.
Waistband Circumference
This measurement is different than the natural waist and is to be decided by you. Place the tape around the body at top of where "RISE " has been decided to measure circumference of where the waistband will be sitting.
Additional Measurements
Circumference at Hip Bone
Place tape at the very top of the "hipbones" which can be found by pressing in at that area.
Across Back
This measurement is especially important for individuals with wider shoulders, such as many men. Place the tape at the outer edge of one shoulder, where the shoulder seam of a well-fitting shirt would sit. Stretch the tape straight across the back over the nape of your neck, ensuring it remains parallel to the floor. Extend the tape to the outer edge of the opposite shoulder
Mitts
Choose between two recommended mitt lengths as shown in the accompanying photos: stopping just below the elbow or approximately two inches above the elbow.
To measure, place the tape at the middle knuckle of your hand (excluding the fingers) and extend it straight up to your chosen stopping point—either just before the elbow or two inches above. Then, wrap the tape around the top of your arm at that length to take the circumference measurement. Ensure the tape is level and snug but not tight. Use the larger measurement if there is a slight difference between arms, typically around one inch or less, to ensure a comfortable and accurate fit for your mitts.
Elbow Mitt Length
Upper Arm Mitt Length