Measuring Yourself For Shapewear

 

How to Measure Yourself Accurately for Shapewear

One of the biggest challenges with shapewear or compression garments can come from measuring yourself accurately for the garment. Measuring your waist, hips, and underbust can be awkward during the best of times. But when you’re getting ready to invest in a custom-made piece, you want to ensure everything is correct.

Fear not! We’re here to help you ensure that your measurements will be accurate, so your garment fits perfectly every time you wear it. Of course, getting used to how the garment feels can take a little while as it’s much tighter than your regular clothing, but that’s its job. While that may sound intimidating, many people find it quite comforting.

Measuring shapewear is much like measuring your body for tracking weight loss. What you’ll want to go by are the numbers on the tape measure to guarantee you the most accurate fit. 

How to Take Body Measurements

Here are some of our top recommendations when measuring your body for shapewear:

• Always use a cloth/fabric or flexible tailors tape measurer, not a metal one. This method is more accurate, and even a fraction of an inch can make a huge difference. 
• Do measurements first thing in the morning; your body tends to swell throughout the day, and you want the most accurate numbers to guarantee a proper fit.
• Always measure against bare skin. Clothing that gets in the way can drastically affect the measurements more than you think. 
• If you need an assistant to help measure you, wearing a form-fitting cami and briefs can help you be more comfortable while being measured.
• Breathe normally and measure when at rest, not flexing or sucking in. 
• Use a mirror to ensure you measure in the right place and that the measuring tape is straight around—mainly when calculating the hips and bust area. 
• Write down your measurements each time to ensure accuracy. 

What to measure

There are five key body measurements you should always have handy when shopping for shapewear: arms, chest, waist, hips, and legs. You may also need your current weight for some of the pieces, as this affects the level of compression and garment type that may be suitable for your desired purposes. 

It’s important to note that you may need to revisit some of these areas for specific types of shapewear. For example, you may need to measure your calves and thighs for your leg measurements and your inseam for your custom compression garment. The same goes for sleeves; you will need to know the circumference of your arms to ensure a proper fit and the right amount of support.

Keep in mind that your weight may shift throughout the year, so it’s always best to check your measurements and shapewear before making your next order. Our expert staff is only a phone call away if you have any questions about sizing or how to find your measurements.

What’s next

ContourMD has been helping people recover in comfort since 1982. A family-owned brand based in Lenexa, KS, we’re dedicated to helping you look and feel fantastic. We’ve built our brand on compassionate recovery. Today, we are proud to continue that dedication to our clients and our team with new product additions and our Mask Matching Initiative. As always, our helpful team is always just a phone call away. Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have along the way!