MEASURE UP

How many times have you guessed at your size when ordering a shirt or jeans online? Sometimes it works out and other times it ends up in the return pile. With uniforms, it is too important to leave it up to guessing. Your uniforms can increase employee morale and productivity. They also represent your brand and are a reflection of your business. Make sure your team’s apparel presents a sharp, professional and pulled together image. That starts with measuring the right areas correctly. Here are some helpful tips and a measuring guide to get you started. Before ordering your uniforms, take advantage of having your sales executive verify your employees’ measurements and bring in sample garments to try on.

Tops and Bottoms

When trying on sample shirts and pants, don’t be afraid to move around as you would on the job. For example, you want to make sure the arms aren’t restricting if you have to carry large trays of food. And if you’re a mechanic who is constantly bending and crouching over vehicles, test those movements while wearing the pants. 

Grab Your Measuring Tape

We’ve outlined the crucial measurements to consider when sizing up uniforms. Go through the list and jot down your numbers so you’re prepared to order the perfect fit.

1. Height

Stand straight against a wall without your shoes. Make a mark level with the top of your head. Measure from this point down to the floor.

2. Impact

Measure around the base of the neck where a collared shirt would fit, or measure a collar band on a shirt that fits you well.

3. Chest/Bust

Measure the fullest part of your chest/bust. Hold the tape firmly but not tightly. Be sure the tape is level and straight across your back. Stand naturally.

4a & 4b. Waist/Mid-section

First, remove your belt. Then, measure over shirt (not over pants) at the position you normally wear your pants. Hold the tape firmly but not tightly. For shirts and covering garments such as coveralls, measure mid-section over clothing around the fullest part of the abdomen. Note: Include both “a” and “b” measurements if ordering multiple garments.

5. Hips

Stand with your heels together. Measure around the fullest part of the hips. Hold the tape measure straight and level.

6. Inseam

Standing straight, measure the distance from the crotch to just below the ankle bone. OR Take similar style pants that fit you well: Lay garment flat and measure along the inside seam of one leg from the bottom of the hem to the crotch.

7. Sleeve

Bend the elbow slightly. Start at the center back of the neck and measure across the shoulder to the elbow and down to the wrist bone.

8. Trunk

Measure from base of neck (front) down to the crotch and loop back up to the backside collar (for coveralls only).

9. Hat Size

Measure the circumference of the head at its widest diameter, approximately 1/8" above the ears.

10. Front & Back Rises

FRONT: This is the distance from the center front at the top of the waistband to the intersection of the crotch seams. BACK: This is the distance from the center back at the top of the waistband to the intersection of the crotch seams.

11. Across Shoulders

While standing with arms down, measure across the back from one shoulder joint to the other.

12. Upper Arm/Bicep

Measure the maximum circumference of the upper arm just below the under arm.

13. Forearm

Measure the maximum circumference of the forearm at approximately 6" above the wrist.

14. Wrist

Measure the wrist circumference over the wrist bone.

15. Thigh

Measure around thigh (parallel to floor), below crotch.

16. Knee

With the leg straight, measure the knee circumference over the knee cap and parallel to the floor.

17. Calf

Measure the circumference of the largest part of the lower leg approximately half way between the knee and ankle and parallel to the floor.

18. Outseam

Measure along the outside of the leg from the top of the waistband to the bottom of the hem of just below the ankle bone. OR Lay garment flat, measure along outseam from top of band to bottom of hem.

19. Over Arm

With arms at the sides, measure around the broadest part of the shoulders and upper arms, keeping the tape level at all times. If over arm measurement is 7" larger than chest measurement, go up one size.

Source: VF Imagewear