To measure yourself for a custom-size dress, use a soft tape measure over light clothing and stand tall and relaxed. Measure the fullest part of your bust, your natural waist, and the fullest part of your hips, keeping the tape level and snug. Add shoulder width and dress length, and measure twice.
What you need before you start
You need very little, but the right tools matter. Use a flexible cloth or fibreglass tape. A metal toolbox tape won't sit smoothly against curves. A pen and paper, a full-length mirror and a friend are the only extras.
- Clothing: Wear light, close-fitting clothing or the undergarments you would wear with the dress. A padded bra can change your bust measurement and shapewear can change your waist and hips, so stay consistent.
- Posture: Stand upright with your weight even, feet together and shoulders relaxed. Slouching compresses torso length and gives a false waist measurement.
- Units: Pick inches or centimetres and stick with them. Write down both if you can.
Which measurements are needed for a custom-size dress?
Most custom size dress measurements come down to a short list:
- Bust: around the fullest part of your chest.
- Waist: around your natural waist, the narrowest part of your torso.
- Hips: around the fullest part of your hips and seat.
- Shoulder width: from one shoulder edge to the other, across your back.
- Dress length: from the top of your shoulder down to where you want the hem.
Which ones matter most depends on the cut. One bridal-wear guide says that a fully fitted dress needs every measurement, a fitted bodice with a free-cut skirt relies mostly on bust and waist, and a free-cut dress depends chiefly on the bust. A relaxed linen shift is more forgiving than a fitted bodice.
How to measure your bust, waist and hips at home
Bust
Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your bust and straight across your back. Keep it parallel to the ground all the way round. It should be snug but not tight, with room to slide one finger underneath. Breathe normally and don't hold your breath.
Waist
Find your natural waist first. Bend to one side while standing and the crease that forms is your natural waist. It usually sits between the bottom of your rib cage and your belly button. Stand straight, wrap the tape around that point, and breathe out gently and read the number without sucking in your stomach. Many people tie a piece of string or elastic there and leave it on while they take the other measurements.
Hips
Stand with your feet together and wrap the tape around the fullest part of your hips and seat. For many people this is roughly 7 to 9 inches below the natural waist, though bodies vary. Check in the mirror that the tape isn't drifting upward at the back.
Shoulder and dress length
Shoulder width is the hardest to do alone. One tailoring guide says that it is nearly impossible to take accurately by yourself. If you have no helper, measure the shoulder seam of a well-fitting garment lying flat. For length, lay a dress you like flat and measure from the top of the shoulder to the bottom edge. If you're unsure about hem height, our guides for petite frames and tall frames may help.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Pulling the tape too tight or leaving it loose. Both give inaccurate measurements.
- Letting the tape slope. It tends to ride up at the back, especially around the hips.
- Measuring over bulky clothing or with a different bra from the one you'll wear.
- Guessing the waist. Where jeans sit is usually not your natural waist.
- Measuring only once. Always double-check before you rely on a number.
- Using old numbers. Weight, season and even time of day can shift waist and chest readings, so measurements older than a few months are estimates.
Ask a friend to help
A second pair of hands makes the tape easier to keep level. One guide notes that self-measuring introduces tape tension errors, especially around the bust and hips. A friend can also read the number while you stand naturally, rather than twisting to look down.
Related questions
Can you take your own measurements accurately?
Yes, with care. A study in the journal Human Factors (1994) of 103 women found that hips were undermeasured by about 4.5 cm on average, while waist and bust had the least error. The same study found that people's measurements of themselves had larger errors than those of their partners. More recent research on waist and hip found that a simple, inexpensive method taught to novices gave accurate, reliable data. So take your time, use a mirror and ask a friend for the tricky ones.
Which measurements are needed for a dress?
Bust, natural waist, hips, shoulder width and dress length cover most dresses. Sleeve length or upper arm may be added if the dress has sleeves.
How do you measure your bust, waist and hips at home?
Wear light clothing, stand straight, and keep the tape level and snug but not tight. Bust is the fullest part of the chest, waist is the crease when you bend sideways, and hips are the fullest part of the hips and seat.
What if my two readings don't match?
Measure a third time. If two readings differ by more than a quarter inch, take a third and use the middle value.
If you'd like a dress made around your own numbers, ANAHIV offers custom sizes alongside standard sizes across our linen dresses. Each piece is made to order after you place it, which is why accurate measurements matter so much.