How often have you received a garment listed as  "Medium" and, when you tried it on, it was either too small or too large, too short or too long?  Disappointing isn't it?  Manufacturers and designers alike tend to differ when it comes to a standard size.  Subsequently, size charts differ as well, so one designer's "Small" may be another designer's "Medium". 

Asking the Seller for the exact measurements can save you from being disappointed, but, on the other hand, when was the last time you were properly measured?  It only takes a vinyl tape measure (cloth types tend to stretch over time), a friend or family member to assist, and a few minutes of your time to determine which garments you are considering will fit you properly.  While being measured, wear the appropriate undergarments and shoes.  And, for the person that is doing the actual measuring, they need to make sure that the tape is neither too loose nor too tight.  Important - please do not try to measure yourself, the measurements will be incorrect.  

Women's Measurements

Bust - This is not your bra size.  Take the tape around your back, under your arms and over the fullest part of your breasts, your arms should be straight and relaxed at your sides.

Natural Waist - This will be at the smallest part of your waist, about an inch or so above your naval. 

Hips -  This will be at the widest part, right across your hip bones.

Hollow to Hem -  Start the tape at the hollow of your neck, just below your throat, and measure to where you are comfortable with your hemline.  Wearing shoes that you would normally wear with the type of dress you are considering is important.  And, if the skirt of the dress is full, measure out at an angle to allow for fullness.

Low Hip - Measure at the point 7 inches from your natural waist.

Shoulder - Determine your neckline, measure from the neckline to the tip of the shoulder bone.

Outside Arm - With your arm slightly bent, measure from the tip of the shoulder bone down the arm over the elbow to the wrist bone.

Inside Arm - With your arm straight, measure from your armpit to your wrist.

Arm Girth - Arm relaxed, measure at the largest part of your upper arm. 

Center Back Width - Measurement from shoulder blade-to-shoulder blade.

Waist to Hem - Measure from your natural waist to where you are comfortable with your skirt hemline.  Again, wearing shoes you would normally wear with the type of skirt you are considering.

Nape to Waist - Measuring down the back from the bottom of your neck to you natural waistline.

Outside Leg - Measure down your side from your natural waist, over the hip bone, to the length you find desirable for pants.

Inside Leg - Measure from the crotch down the inside of your leg to the length you find desirable for pants.

Women's Questions to the Seller

• Determine the size type - Petites, Juniors, Misses, Plus or Maternity
• Ask for measurements relevant to the garment.
• Ask the Seller to measure flat.  For example, to determine the bust measurement they should measure across the front from armpit-to-armpit.  You will then multiply this number x 2 for the bust measurement.  And, for the waist of a skirt or pants, they should measure across the top of the waistband from side seam-to-side seam.  You would also multiply this number x 2 to determine the waist measurement. 

Men's Measurements

Neck - Measure around the base of the neck.

Chest - Take the tape around your back, under your arms and over the fullest part of your chest, your arms should be straight and relaxed at your sides.

Natural Waist - This will be at the smallest part of your waist, about an inch or so above your naval. 

Outside Arm - With your arm slightly bent, measure from the tip of the shoulder bone down the arm, over the elbow to the wrist.

Hips - This will be at the widest part, right across your hip bones. 

Shoulder - Determine your neckline, measure from the neckline to the tip of the shoulder bone.

Outside Arm - With your arm slightly bent, measure from the tip of the shoulder bone down the arm over the elbow to the wrist bone.

Inside Arm - With your arm straight, measure from your armpit to your wrist.

Arm Girth - Arm relaxed, measure at the largest part of your upper arm. 

Center Back Width - Measurement from shoulder blade-to-shoulder blade.

Outside Leg - Measure down your side from your natural waist, over the hip bone, to the length you find desirable for pants.

Inside Leg - Measure from the crotch down the inside of your leg to the length you find desirable for pants.

Shirt Length - Measure from the bottom of your neck to approximately 7 inches below your natural waist.

Sleeve Length - In Ready-to-Wear a man's sleeve is measured from the center back, over the shoulder and elbow to the wrist bone.

Men's Questions to the Seller

• Determine the size type - Slim, Regular, Big or Tall.
• Ask for measurements relevant to the garment.
• Ask the Seller to measure flat.  For example, to determine the chest measurement they should measure across the front from armpit-to-armpit.  You will then multiply this number x 2 for the chest measurement.  And, for the waist of pants, they should measure across the top of the waistband from side seam-to-side seam.  You would also multiply this number x 2 to determine the waist measurement. 

Now that  you have measured and you have discovered that you are truly a "Medium", I suggest that you broaden your search criteria and look for your garment of choice in  "Small", "Medium" and "Large" sizes.  Since most Sellers give the true measurements in their listings, as a "Medium", you may be surprised what you will find in "Small" and "Large" sizes.

I hope that you found this information helpful and that you will have a keener sense of size as you search the listings.  Good luck and happy bidding!