How to Measure Yourself for a Made-to-Measure Shirt
Six measurements, one soft tape, fifteen minutes. Everything you need to order a shirt that fits like it was cut for you — because it was.
A made-to-measure shirt is only as good as the numbers behind it. The good news: you can take every measurement you need at home, alone, with a soft tape and a shirt that already fits you well. It takes about fifteen minutes, and once we have your pattern, every future order fits first time.
What you'll need
A soft measuring tape, a well-fitting existing shirt laid flat, and a mirror. Wear a thin t-shirt so the tape sits close to your body. If you can, ask someone to help with the shoulder and sleeve.
The six measurements
1. Neck
Measure around the base of your neck where a collar sits, keeping one finger under the tape for comfort. This sets your collar size — the difference between a shirt you button all day and one you don't.
2. Chest
Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, under the arms and across the shoulder blades, keeping it level. Breathe normally; don't puff out.
3. Waist
Measure around your natural waist, roughly level with your navel. This decides how much the shirt tapers — trim without pulling.
4. Shoulder
From the seam at one shoulder point, across the back, to the other shoulder point. This is the hardest to self-measure, so borrow the seam of a shirt that fits you well and measure that instead.
5. Sleeve
From the shoulder point, down a slightly bent arm to the wrist bone. If you like cuffs to sit under a jacket, add a centimetre.
6. Shirt length
From the base of the collar at the back, straight down to where you want the hem. Longer to tuck, shorter to wear out.
Prefer we do it?
Prefer we do it? A Khwaab designer guides you over a video call, wherever you are in India. Either way, we keep your pattern on file for life — so the next shirt is a two-minute reorder.
