Getting accurate measurements is the foundation of finding a well-fitting suit. Whether you are shopping online, visiting a tailor, or simply trying to understand your size better, knowing how to measure yourself correctly will save you time, money, and the frustration of ill-fitting garments. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every measurement you need, with tips to ensure accuracy.
Before You Begin: Essential Preparation
Accurate measurements require the right approach. Before you pick up that measuring tape, there are several important considerations that will affect the quality of your results.
First, you will need a flexible fabric measuring tape, not a rigid metal one used for construction. Fabric tapes conform to body curves and provide accurate readings. If you do not have one, they are inexpensive at any haberdashery or online retailer.
Pro Tip
Wear a thin, fitted shirt and the trousers you would typically wear with a suit when taking measurements. This ensures your measurements account for the clothes underneath your jacket.
Having a friend assist you will dramatically improve accuracy, particularly for back and shoulder measurements that are difficult to take on yourself. If measuring alone, use a mirror and take extra care to keep the tape level.
Upper Body Measurements
Chest Measurement
The chest measurement is perhaps the most critical number for jacket sizing. Stand naturally with your arms relaxed at your sides. Wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your chest, typically just under your armpits and across your shoulder blades. The tape should be snug but not tight—you should be able to fit a finger underneath comfortably. Take a normal breath and record the measurement.
Most suit jackets are sold by chest size, so a 102cm chest measurement typically corresponds to a size 40 jacket in Australian sizing. However, always check individual brand size guides as these can vary.
Shoulder Width
Shoulder measurement determines how the jacket will sit on your frame. This measurement runs from the edge of one shoulder to the other, following the natural curve across your upper back. The edge points are where your shoulder meets your arm—where the seam of a well-fitted shirt would sit.
This measurement is best taken by a helper standing behind you. If measuring alone, measure a well-fitting jacket from seam to seam across the back shoulders.
Sleeve Length
For sleeve length, bend your elbow slightly at a natural angle. Measure from the centre back of your neck, across your shoulder point, down your arm to your wrist bone. Alternatively, measure from your shoulder point directly down to your wrist, which gives you the jacket sleeve length specifically.
A properly fitted jacket sleeve should end where your wrist meets your hand, allowing approximately 1-1.5cm of shirt cuff to show. This small detail makes a significant difference to your overall appearance.
Jacket Length
Stand straight with your arms at your sides. The jacket should cover your rear and end roughly where your fingers curl when your hand hangs naturally. To measure, take the distance from the prominent bone at the base of your neck (where a collar sits) down your spine to where you want the jacket to end.
Lower Body Measurements
Waist Measurement
Locate your natural waist, which sits above your hip bones and below your rib cage—typically where your body creases when you bend sideways. Wrap the tape around this point, keeping it parallel to the floor. Do not suck in your stomach; measure at your natural, relaxed state.
Remember that trouser waist sizes differ from your actual body measurement. Trousers are often sized to sit slightly below your natural waist, so the number on the label may differ from your tape measurement.
Hip Measurement
Stand with your feet together and measure around the fullest part of your hips and buttocks. Keep the tape parallel to the floor. This measurement ensures trousers fit comfortably through the seat without pulling or sagging.
Inseam Length
The inseam runs from the crotch seam to the bottom of the trouser leg. The easiest method is to measure a pair of well-fitting trousers while they lay flat. Alternatively, stand against a wall with feet shoulder-width apart and have someone measure from your crotch to the floor, then subtract the height of heel you typically wear.
Common Mistake
Many men measure their inseam too long, resulting in trousers that bunch at the ankle. Modern suit trousers should have minimal break—the fabric should barely touch your shoe with little to no fold.
Outseam Length
Measure from your natural waist down the outside of your leg to where you want the trouser hem to fall. This helps when waist height preferences vary between trouser styles.
Additional Measurements Worth Taking
Neck Size
While primarily for shirt fitting, neck size is worth recording. Measure around the base of your neck where a collar sits, then add approximately 1cm for comfort. This ensures dress shirts fit properly under your suit jacket.
Back Length
Measure from the base of your neck to your natural waist at the back. This helps tailors adjust jacket proportions and is particularly useful for men who are longer or shorter in the torso relative to their height.
Recording and Using Your Measurements
Create a simple record of all your measurements and store it on your phone for easy reference when shopping. Include the date you took them, as measurements can change over time with weight fluctuations or fitness changes.
When shopping online, always compare your measurements to the specific brand's size guide rather than assuming standard sizing. A size 40 from an Italian brand may differ significantly from an Australian or British size 40.
Remember
These measurements give you a starting point, but nothing replaces trying on garments. Use these numbers to narrow down your size range, then fine-tune with actual fitting or professional tailoring.
When to Seek Professional Help
While self-measurement works well for general shopping, certain situations warrant professional assistance. If you are investing in a bespoke or made-to-measure suit, the tailor will take dozens of measurements with precision tools. For significant life events like weddings, consider visiting a tailor even if buying off-the-rack to ensure optimal fit through alterations.
Men with proportions outside standard ranges—very tall, very short, broad shoulders with narrow waist, or other variations—will particularly benefit from professional measurement and guidance on brands or styles that suit their build.
Armed with accurate measurements and an understanding of how they translate to suit sizing, you are now equipped to shop with confidence, whether in-store or online. The extra few minutes spent measuring properly will pay dividends every time you put on a suit that fits as it should.