To Begin:

  • You will need a measuring tape and length of elastic or string to tie around your waist.

  • It is possible to take measurements of yourself in front of a mirror, however in the interest of accuracy, it is highly recommended to have someone assist you.  Maintaining a natural, neutral posture is key to ensure measurements remain consistent, and this is easiest to achieve when you stand still and upright (with arms relaxed by your sides) while your assistant measures you.

  • Clothing should be minimal, e.g. a tight fitting singlet and soft t-shirt bra or crop top (no padding or underwire). Elvie Rose bodices are designed fit like a second skin, so taking measurements over bulky or loose fitting clothing will result in inaccurate measurements. Waist measurements should always be taken with the shirt lifted against the skin only. 

  • Begin by finding your natural waist, which is the fleshy part between the top of the hip and the bottom of the ribcage. For most people, this is the narrowest part of the torso. Tie a length of string or elastic band snugly around your waist. Wriggle around and bend from side to side a few times to ensure it settles naturally into the narrowest part. 

  • Please follow the instructions carefully using the reference photos provided

Waist:

Measure the waist from the centre front, following the line of the string/elastic around the torso, and back around to the centre front. For most people, this will be the narrowest point of the torso

Bust/Chest:

Measure bust/chest from the centre front, around the torso, and back to the centre front. For most people, this will be the widest point of the upper torso (ie: the ‘apex’ of the bust)

Underbust:

Measure the underbust line from the centre front, around the torso, and back to the centre front. The underbust line is where your bra sits, underneath the crease of the breast as it meets the body

Underbust to Waist:

Using the elastic/string tied around your waist as a reference, measure the vertical space between the underbust line and the waistline

Cup Width:

Measure horizontally over the curve of one breast across the widest point, from where it curves out from the body at the centre of the chest to where it curves in at the side under the armpit. Alternatively, you can take a non-padded bra that fits you really well, and measure the internal width of the cup from side edge point to side edge point. I highly recommend taking both measurements for maximum accuracy

Half Vertical Cup Height: 

Measure vertically from the underbust line at the centre of the breast to just above the nipple

Underwire:

Measure the U-shaped curve under the bust from the centre of the chest to the side under the armpit. Alternatively, you can use an underwire bra that fits you really well and measure the length of the underwire directly from that. I highly recommend taking both measurements if you have an underwire bra to compare it to for accuracy

Bust/chest line to waistline:

Measure vertically the distance between the waistline and the bust/chest line. Keep the measuring tape taught (bearing in mind that this measurement is for the cone shaped bodice which has straight boning and therefore does not need to follow the curves of the body). For larger busted individuals, there will be a triangle shaped gap under the curve of the bust between the body and the measuring tape

Back Length of Bust/Chest Line to Waist:

Measure vertically the distance between the waistline and bust/chest line at the centre back of the torso. Use the bottom of your bra/crop top if you are wearing one as a guideline. For people with very straight posture, this measurement should be the same or very similar to the bust/chest line to waistline measurement when you have just taken at the front. For those who have a curved spine and anterior hip tilt (i.e. ‘banana back’ posture) this measurement will be shorter. This is also known as being ‘short-waisted’, and is very common

Shoulder strap length:

Following the curve of the shoulder, measure the distance between the bust/chest line (the bust apex) at the front of the torso, over the shoulder to the bust/chest line at the back of the torso

Waist to Floor:

Using the elastic/string around your waist as a guide, measure vertically the length between the waistline and the floor. This will determine the length of the skirt WITHOUT taking into account heel height. For maximum accuracy, please take this measurement in bare feet on a hard floor

Waist to below knee:

Using the elastic/string around your waist as a guide, measure vertically the length between the waistline and just below your knee. If you wish your skirt to be slightly longer (‘midi’) length, take this measurement down to your mid calf

Upper Arm/Bicep Circumference:

Measure the circumference around the upper arm (bicep)

Forearm circumference:

Measure the circumference around the forearm below the elbow

Sleeve length:

Measure the vertical length between the upper arm circumference and the forearm circumference along the outside of the arm