TAKING MEASUREMENTS FOR MEN’S WEAR

To be body should be relaxed. The measurements are usually taken when the man is wearing a shirt and trousers. Tie a string or elastic around the waist to establish the natural waistline.

GUIDE FOR TAKING MEASUREMENTS

A-B: Natural waist length:
Measure from the bone at the nape of the neck to waistline.

A-B: Length of garment:
Measure from the bone at the nape of the neck to length required.

D-E: Half across the back:
Measure from centre back (15 cm down from nape) to position of sleeve seam at back scye (armhole). For a very accurate measurement measure the full back width then halve the measurement.

F: Chest:
This is the most important measurement and the most difficult. Place the tape under the arms round the body at chest level. Make sure that the tape passes over the shoulder blades or a much reduced chest measurement will be obtained. (This would be fatal to the production of the block). It is often useful for an assistant to hold the tape in position at the back, especially if the shoulder blades are high.

G: Waist:
Measure at the position of the string. (Make sure the man is not holding his breath).

H: Low waist or high hip:
Measure 4 cm below natural waist. This measurement is used for jeans and low-wasted trousers.

I: Seat:
Measure around the fullest part of the seat, usually 21 cm down from waistline.

J: Neck:
Measure easily round base of neck; take the measurement on the lower edge if tape.

K-L: Shoulder:
Measure from base of neck to the shoulder bone this measurement is used only if the shoulders are wider than the standard figure (ref 8, page 130)

L-M: Sleeve length for one-piece sleeve:
Measure from shoulder done to wrist bone.

D-N: Sleeve length for two-piece sleeve:
The arm should be raised and bent, measure from centre back (15 cm below neck bone) across back, continue through 0 at elbow point, down sleeve to wrist bone.

D-0
D-O is elbow length taken when arm is very long or short.

A-L-N: Sleeve length for shirt:
The arm should be raised and bent. Measure from neck bone across shoulder to L, through 0 to N at wrist bone.

P-Q: Side seam length for trousers:
Measure from the waist to heel seam of shoe.

R-S: Body rise:
Seat the man on a stool; measure the depth from waist to top of stool.

T-U: Inside leg:
Measure from high in the crutch to heel seam of shoe. This measurement can be calculated by taking crutch depth measurement from side seam measurement.

Trouser width:
The width required for the bottom of the trousers should be noted.

V: Wrist circumference:
Measure wrist in position of wrist bone.

EXTRA MEASUREMENTS
W: Arm circumference:
Measure the top arm which must be bent. This measurement is used when arm is very well developed.

A-X: Scye depth:
The standard measurement from the size chart is usually used, but if the arm and shoulder are well developed, check scye depth. Place tape across back under arms; measure down from neck bone to centre of tape.