How to measure yourself to know your silhouette

How to measure yourself to know your silhouette

31 January, 2022

Discover how to take your body measurements correctly to find your silhouette and get your online shopping right with this practical tutorial by Lookiero.

Knowing your body measurements can be a very practical tool, so it never hurts to learn how to do it correctly. It’s essential for tailoring clothes, but it’s also useful if you want to track changes in your silhouette or simply get your online shopping right. Today we show you how easy it is to take the most relevant measurements.

What do we need to take our body measurements?

The only tool you need to measure yourself with is the typical dressmaker’s tool, as it is the most comfortable to use when it comes to adapting to our bodies.

Now, in order to correctly take your actual body measurements, you need to take several factors into account:

  • It is essential that you take your measurements in underwear or in very tight clothes.
  • Your posture should be relaxed: stand up straight, keep your feet together and your shoulders relaxed.
  • Finally, when you go to measure yourself, don’t adjust the tape measure too close to your body, because the result will be a smaller size than you really are.

If you want to know your true size, the most common way is to measure your bust, waist and hips.

How to measure your waist

The waist measurement is taken around the narrowest part of the abdomen, passing the tape measure just above the navel. The point where the tape measure meets will reveal the circumference of your waist.

How to measure your hips

It is important to measure the widest part of this area. To do this, place the tape measure around your hips, making sure that it passes through the centre of your bum. It should be about 20 cm below the point where you have measured your waist.

How to measure your bust

As in the case of the hips, here we must also measure the fullest area. Pass the tape measure under the arms, place it around your bust, breathing normally and passing through the most voluminous area. This measurement is the one to be taken into account for the tops.

How to choose the right size for your silhouette

When buying online, we should pay close attention to the sizing system adopted, as it usually varies from one country to another. Thus, we can have the French, the American or the British system. Sizes may appear with numbers (34, 36, 38…) or with letters (XS, S, M, L, XL…).

Here is a table of equivalences with the main international sizes, so that you can find yours.

Size Bust Hip Waist
34-XS 80 86-88 36-66
38-S/M 90 93-96 67-70
40-M 95 97-100 71-74
42-M/L 100 101-104 75-78
44-L 105 105-108 79-82
46-L/XL 110 109-112 83-86
48-XL 115 113-116 87-90
50-XL/XXL 120 117-116 87-90
52-XXL 125 121-124 95-98


The size of the top pieces is usually the same as your bust measurement. For lower garments, you can use this chart or divide your waist measurement in half.

Now you have everything you need to shop online and avoid unfortunate mistakes when choosing your size. Plus, with all this information in your hand you can now know your body type and balance your silhouette with clothes that really flatter you. Remember that if you have any doubts, your Personal Shopper will be happy to help you solve them.

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