Taking My Measurements - an eye-opening experience

As I prepared for my first foray into New York Fashion events I reached out to a couple amazing Etsy dress designers about collaborating. Two amazing ladies were kind enough to provide me with a sample dress to wear this week. The whole experience of having a dress custom made had me thinking of the huge revelation it was for me to figure out my personal measurements.

Of course, like most women, I’ve had the typical measurements to determine my body shape. (I’m a box – UGH!) But I’ve never done the full gamut of measurements: top of chest, chest, under chest, waist, hips, bum, shoulder to shoulder, shoulder to waist, waist to hemline. When I sent my numbers along to the designers one wrote back and asked if I had perhaps measured wrong – the numbers seemed off. Another one asked me if I was petite. (I laughed at that. 5’10” is not even average height.) pic from FireflyPath.

I re-measured and got the same confusing numbers. What did they mean? Well, apparently, I have the shoulder-to-waist height of a petite woman and the waist-to-hemline height of a giant (ok maybe that is a slight exaggeration.) I measured my inseam for the first time in my life and it is nearly 35 inches.

What does all this tell me? Well, things that I’ve known for a while but have not ever put into words. Jackets look better on me when they are either cropped or long; standard length always area a bit funky. Empire waist dresses, while they don’t look good on everyone, tend to work for me because they give me the short shoulder to waist length and more waist to hemline length to work with. Wearing skirts and pants slung low on my hips isn’t just a comfort thing – it also helps elongate my non-existent torso.

Seriously – have you ever taken your measurements before? It’s eye opening. Get to measuring and learning from your numbers.

Some tips based on your findings:

Short shoulder-to-waist length with a long waist-to-knee length: As I mentioned above, go with empire waists, long slung pants or skirts, cropped jackets/sweaters, or long sweaters/jackets. Stay away from thing meant to hit at a natural waist since it is likely to hit you at the hips instead.
Long shoulder-to-waist length with a short waist-to-knee length: Opt for high-waist skirts and pants. Stay away from cropped or very long jackets/sweaters since they will further elongated your middle. Finding a jacket that hits at the standard waist length will help cut your long torso and make your legs appear longer.
Equal shoulder-to-waist and waist-to-knee length: Your options are a little easier as you can go with both long and short items depending upon which part you would prefer to appear a little longer.

17 thoughts on “Taking My Measurements - an eye-opening experience”

Pretty Quirky Pants September 20, 2011 at 7:08 am

Ever since I’ve started to properly shop online about 3 years ago (also when I started my get healthy regime) was when I first measured myself fully. I always knew that I had a short torso, but this confirmed it - I’m like a petite version of your height proportions!

I always wondered why super low cut jeans looked normal on me and uber tarty on other people.
Either way, knowing ones measurements are always useful, it makes shopping online a breeze.

PQP
http://prettyquirkypants.com
xx
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lissy September 20, 2011 at 8:06 am

Great tips on measuring. Sometimes when I buy something online I do a quick measure but never as comprehensive as this!
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Jennifer September 20, 2011 at 9:00 am

I haven’t taken my own measurements like this before. The gal that made my wedding gown took mine, but we never analyzed them really. However, I did take my boyfriend’s measurements for a custom suit he was having made via an internet company (Indochino). They had this great video showing step-by-step instructions for each measurements. And the fit was perfect! But I’d be interested to take my measurements again just for fun and the analyze them a bit better.
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In Kinsey's Closet September 20, 2011 at 10:20 am

I’ve never had to take mine either! I wonder what mine would mean… Busty and too short??
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Still Blonde after all these YEARS September 20, 2011 at 11:08 am

Here’s mine…Too big, ok, Too big HAHAHA. And that’s the analysis too!
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Laura September 20, 2011 at 11:52 am

Wow I’ve never even though to take my measurements like this! I think it is definitely something I should do in the future.
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Alex Elizabeth September 20, 2011 at 8:10 pm

I’m actually pretty even! What I have trouble with is broad shoulders, back, etc. I would love to be able to wear petite clothes but I can never get my shoulders into them.
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Jodi September 20, 2011 at 11:36 pm

Hey Katy, I had no idea you were as tall as I am… yeah I am not alone!! Very eye opening these measurement techniques for sure!!! xoxo J
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Courtney September 21, 2011 at 4:48 pm

Fascinating! I haven’t done mine in awhile, but I believe I am technically hour glass, which means my waist is 10 inches smaller than both my hips and waist, which are the same size.
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Fabienne Jach September 21, 2011 at 8:31 pm

So interesting! I’ve never measured myself but I’m familiar with the pros and cons of my proportions. The wrong cut can make me look soooo bad! The right cut and I feel like a million bucks!
xo,
f
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Katie, Interrobangs Anonymous September 23, 2011 at 11:03 pm

I remember being measured for a bridesmaid dress and the seamstress gasping in horror at all the alterations she was going to have to make.

I have a 36″ inseam coupled with wide hips, a narrow waist, a short waist to shoulder length and a very large chest. So you get a lot of leg, a sudden outward swoop of hip, and then it’s just BOOBS! My waist is so short they practically sit on my hips, so dresses are a fun adventure in futility.

More than anything, being measured made me realize how varied all our forms are, and how ridiculous it is to feel bad about yourself when something off the rack doesn’t fit - for most of us, the odds are never fully in our favor.
Katie, Interrobangs Anonymous recently posted..Chelsie Daily Happy: A Hollyhock Fence

Colleen McCloskey September 24, 2011 at 11:00 am

I am 5’7 but have the same short waisted/long legged thing you have going on. I think my proportions might be worse because my inseams is the same as yours.

I find tucking in a shirt to look awful. I still do it sometimes though.

I haven’t had the full measurements yet. I might have to do that.
Colleen McCloskey recently posted..9.19

katy_rose1 Post authorSeptember 30, 2011 at 11:48 am

Colleen - Do it! It’s amazing what taking your measurements can tell you. Sure most of us know the basics of our shape but to see it down in number form it becomes a lot more eye-opening. It’s already helped me figure out new trends I want to try and things I now know to stay away from.