How Do I Determine My Suit Size?

You'll need a flexible tape measure to determine your suit size.

Measuring yourself accurately to determine your suit size is important when you want to purchase a new suit. Even a high-quality suit will not look right if it is too big or too small. Always get measurements before purchasing a suit, as your measurements may have changed since your last purchase.

Things You'll Need

• Flexible tape measure

Instructions

1. Measure your chest to determine your suit jacket size. Wrap a flexible tape measure under your arms, making sure it crosses over your shoulder blades and the fullest part of your chest. Keep the tape measure snug and parallel to the floor, but not too tight. Read the measurement in inches.

2. Measure over your arms and around your chest. Read the measurement in inches and subtract seven from the result to get a relative chest measurement. Compare this number with your underarm chest measurement from Step 1. Take the larger of the two measurements and purchase the corresponding suit size. For example, if the larger measurement is 40 inches, purchase a size 40 suit.

3. Wrap the tape measure around your waist just above your hipbones to determine your trouser size. Stand up straight, but do not suck your stomach in.

4. Measure from the top of the inner leg to the bottom of the leg opening on a pair of pants that fits you well. Round the measurement to the nearest half inch to find your inseam measurement. If you do not have a suitable pair of pants to measure, measure from the top of your inner thigh to just below your ankle. Suit trousers come in various inseam lengths, though you may have to get your trousers tailored if the inseam length you need is not available.

Tips & Warnings

• Suits that come as a set usually come with trousers that are 5 or 6 inches smaller than the jacket. For example, a size 40 suit would come with trousers for a 34-inch waist. If the difference between your chest and waist measurements is more than 6 inches, you may need to visit a specialty suit store or buy a jacket and trousers separately.

References

• Delbert's Clothing: Determining Your Suit Size
• Discount Designer Menswear: How To Measure For A Tuxedo or How To Measure For A Suit