With the Right Set of Suit Measurements, it's Easy to Select the Perfect Italian Suit

Most men shopping online for a dress suit have one question in mind: Will the suit fit? Luckily, a men's suit size is nothing more than a chest measurement. Below, the fashion experts at DeCalo Fashion teach you the essentials for jacket and pants measurements.

Essential jacket measurements

• Chest : Place the measuring tape high under your arms at the widest point, covering your chest and your shoulder blades. The tape should be completely level. As you breathe normally, have a friend insert a finger between your chest and the measuring tape. This suit measurement yields both your chest and suit size.
• Shoulder : Have a friend measure across the top, back, of your shoulders. For this suit measurement, the measuring tape should extend seam to seam.
• Jacket length : This suit measurement determines the ideal length from the bottom of the collar to the bottom of the jacket. Measure from where your neck meets your back to a point just below the curve of your buttocks
• Sleeve length : In this suit measurement, determine your sleeve length by measuring from the shoulder to a point that just covers the wrist.

Essential pants measurements

• Waist : Most suits will have a six-inch drop between the size of the jacket and the waist of the slacks, with an allowance of 1.5 to 2 inches available for letting out. Take this suit measurement with the tape comfortably loose, the tape encircling your natural waistline.
• Length : To measure your trouser length, find a pair of slacks that fit well. Measure the outside seam length from the top of the waist to the bottom of the leg; this is your outseam length. Measure from the crotch to the bottom of the pant; this is the inseam length. These two suit measurements should be within the unhemmed pant length specified for the suit you purchase.

By comparing your own suit measurements with the suit measurements, it's easy to select the perfect suit. After you receive your dress suit, have a professional tailor hem the pants and, if needed, adjust the waist for the perfect fit. For additional information about measuring yourself for the perfect fit please refer to our Measurement Guide.