How to Calculate a Suit Size

Avoid suit disasters by calculating your suit size before you go shopping.

The difference between a perfectly fitted suit and one with measurements that are slightly off can be vast. From overall sagging and unfilled shoulders to obvious signs of pull and popped buttons, a suit in the wrong size is a disaster. Any suit you buy will likely need to be tailored to achieve a perfect fit. Measuring yourself and calculating your suit size before you shop, however, can help you know where to start. In a pinch, you will even be able to find a suit you can acceptably wear off the rack until you have time to tailor it.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Paper
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Wrap the measuring tape around the widest part of your chest. Do not slant it upward or downward as you do this; the tape should remain parallel to the floor. Write down your chest measurement.

2. Wrap the measuring tape around the widest part of your shoulders. Subtract 7 from the number you measured. For example, if this measurement was 45 inches, subtract 7 for a total of 37 inches. Write this number down beside your chest measurement and compare the two. The larger of these two measurements is your jacket size.

3. Measure your waist size by wrapping the measuring tape around yourself at your waistline. This number determines the size of your pants. For example, a 30 inch measurement means you should buy size 30 pants.

Tips & Warnings

• Enlist the help of a friend, who may be able to take a more accurate measurement.

References

• Delbert's Clothing: Determining Your Suit Size
• Suitupp: How to Measure Your Suit Size

Resources

• Esquire: Signs Your Suit Doesn't Fit