Ordering an outfit online is much easier when you know your measurements. This guide explains how to measure yourself for Indian outfits, step by step, so your suit, lehenga, kurti or saree blouse fits properly. It only takes ten minutes, and once you’ve written the numbers down you can use them again and again.
What you’ll need
- A soft measuring tape (the cloth kind, not a metal one).
- A mirror, or better still, a friend to help.
- The undergarments you’ll wear with the outfit.
- The shoes you plan to wear, for length measurements.
- A pen and paper, or the notes app on your phone.
Stand straight and relaxed, and breathe normally. Keep the tape snug but not tight. You should be able to slide one finger underneath it.
How to measure yourself for Indian outfits: the main measurements
These are the measurements we ask for most often:
- Bust: measure around the fullest part of your chest, keeping the tape level across your back.
- Waist: measure around your natural waist, which is the narrowest part of your body, usually just above the belly button.
- Hip: measure around the fullest part of your hips and bottom.
- Shoulder: measure across your back from the edge of one shoulder to the other.
- Armhole: measure around the top of your arm where it joins your shoulder, looping under the armpit.
- Sleeve length: measure from the shoulder edge down to where you want the sleeve to end.
Length measurements
Length is where people most often go wrong, so take your time.
- Kurti or suit length: measure from the top of your shoulder (near the neck) down to where you want the hem to sit, such as the hip, the knee or below the knee.
- Bottom length: for pants, palazzos or churidar, measure from your waist down to your ankle.
- Lehenga length: measure from your waist to the floor, wearing the shoes you’ll have on at the event.
- Gown length: measure from the shoulder to the floor, again with your shoes on.
For a ready-to-wear saree, the main things to check are your waist (for the petticoat or pre-stitched pleats) and your blouse measurements. The length of the drape is usually adjustable. Our guide on how to wear a ready-to-wear saree shows how it’s put on.
Measuring kids
Kids rarely stand still, so be quick and make it a game. Measure their height, chest, waist, and the length from waist to ankle. If they’re between sizes, go up a size so the outfit lasts longer. See our kids’ kurta pajama and girls’ outfits for sizing in context.
Using our size guide
Once you have your numbers, compare them with our size guide. A few tips:
- Pick the size that matches your largest measurement. It’s easier to take an outfit in than let it out.
- Sizes can differ between styles, so check the guide for each item.
- If your bust and hip fall into different sizes, tell us and we’ll help you choose.
- For semi-stitched and unstitched suits, give your measurements to your tailor along with a suit that already fits you well.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Measuring over bulky clothes like jumpers or jeans.
- Pulling the tape too tight to get a smaller number.
- Guessing your size from another shop’s label, as sizes vary.
- Forgetting to wear your heels for lehenga or gown length.
- Measuring yourself once and never again. Update your numbers every year or so.
If you’re unsure about any measurement, don’t worry. Send us a WhatsApp on 0450 649 304 with your numbers and the outfit you like, and we’ll help you pick the right size. Many more sizes are available in store than online. If you’re in Melbourne, you can also book a time to try things on in the trial room at our Aintree store, or we can deliver anywhere in Australia for $16.