How to Measure a Garment Correctly: Creating a Size Guide
When it comes to buying clothing online, there is nothing more frustrating than receiving an item that doesn't fit correctly. Inconsistent sizes can make online shopping a challenge for customers, which can lead to lost sales and unhappy customers. This is why it's essential to have an accurate size guide for your garments. In this article, we will discuss how to measure a garment correctly when creating a size guide.
Step 1: Determine the Key Measurement Points
The key to a successful business selling clothes online is to provide accurate sizing charts. Customers want to have confidence in their purchases, and accurate sizing information helps them to feel secure when making a purchase. An incorrect size chart can result in costly returns and dissatisfied customers. So, taking the time to measure your garments precisely can save you time and money in the long run.
Step 2: Supplies needed
A flexible measuring tape
A pen and paper to record your measurements
A large table or clean floor to flat lay the garment for accurate measurements
Step 3: Measure Garments
Measuring Points
Different types of clothing require different measurement points. When measuring a garment, it is important to note which parts of the garment will be measured. The critical points of a garment are; bust, waist, hip, sleeve length, shoulder width, and inseam.
Bust
Measuring the bust is the most critical point for women's tops. To measure your bust, wrap a measuring tape around the fullest part of your chest and make sure it is parallel to the ground.
Waist
Measuring the waist is crucial for pants, shorts, skirts, and dresses. To measure your waist, wrap the measuring tape around your natural waistline, usually located above your belly button.
Hip
Measuring your hips is essential for pants, shorts, skirts, and dresses. To measure your hips, wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your hips and make sure it is parallel to the ground.
Sleeve Length
Sleeve length is a prominent measurement point for jackets, coats, and tops. To measure the sleeve length, place your hand on your hip, and measure from the center back of your neck to your wrist.
Shoulder Width
Shoulder width is an essential measurement point for jackets and tops. To measure your shoulder width, measure from one shoulder bone to another across the back of your neck.
Inseam
Inseam is a vital measurement point for pants. To measure your inseam, measure from the crotch area to the bottom hem of the pants.
High Point Shoulder (HPS) to Hem
This will determine lenght of a shirt or a top. Laying a garment flat measure from the highest point of the should to the waist hem.
Tips for Measuring Difficult Clothing Items
Measuring certain clothing items can be challenging, so here are some tips to make it easier. REMEMBER to always flat lay your garment and measure it that way.
Underwear and Swimwear
The key measurement points for both underwear and swimwear are bust, waist, hips, and length. Identify which measurement points are necessary for your product and add them to your spec sheet.
Pants
When measuring pants, lay them flat and smooth out any wrinkles. Measure the waist first, and then measure the inseam by folding the pants in half and measuring from the crotch to the hem.
Skirts
To measure a skirt, lay it flat and measure the waistband. Then, measure the length from the waistband to the hem.
Visual Aids
Providing visual aids such as images or videos can make measuring your garments easier for customers. You can provide images of each measurement point and how to measure them correctly. This will help customers to visualize the process and ensure that they measure correctly.
Creating a Size Chart
Once you have measured your garments, it's time to create a size chart. When creating a size chart, it's important to consider your target audience and the type of clothing you're selling. You can use a chart that has all the different measurement points and their corresponding measurements. Make sure to label each size carefully to avoid confusion for your customers.
Technical Design Service
If you're having trouble creating your size chart, consider using a technical design service. Typically, any clothing manufacturer that you work with can assist with this task if they still have your top of production samples or production-ready patterns. Technical designers specialize in creating accurate size charts that meet your target audience's needs. These professionals can provide you with a size chart based on the measurements you've taken and can help you create a chart that is easy to understand and use for your customers.
In conclusion, measuring your garments correctly is the key to providing accurate sizing information to your customers. By understanding which measurement points are crucial for each garment and providing visual aids, you can make the measuring process easier for both you and your customers. Remember, an accurate size chart will lead to happier customers and fewer returns, making it an essential part of your online business.
