GUIDE TO A PERFECT MEN’S SUIT FIT

WE value quality and perfection. We know that every man is different. Your size, posture, figure, and the shape of your body all change the way your suit fits. This is why we have prepared a comprehensive guide to help you take the perfect measurements for your bespoke suit.

We know that taking measurements can be a chore, so we have worked hard to make it as easy and quickly as possible for you.

What you will need:

  • A fabric measuring tape (fabric only).
  • Assistance from a friend
  • A well fitting suit, shirt, pair of trousers (not jeans), and a pair of shoes.

When taking measurements:

  • Keep the measuring tape comfortably snug, but not tight.
  • All measurements should be made to nearest inch / centimeter.

The following sections provide instructions on how you can create your own perfect bespoke suit. These three (3) measurement methods are completely different from each other but should yield the same result.  The steps within each of these methods are not to be interchanged:

  • SUIT MEASUREMENT METHOD. Measure your best fitting suit. “RECOMMENDED”
    • Measure the suit the fits you well and enter the suit measurements through the control panel.
  • BODY MEASUREMENT METHOD. Measure your body.
    • Ask someone to take your own measurements then create your body measurements profile online. Many customers get this wrong the first time, so if you do not have experience doing this, please use “Suit Measurements Method”. You can also find a excellent videos promoted by The Marketing Heaven that cover the basics of body measurement. 
  • Send us your best fitting suit.

Sending garments to us is a great way to ensure a great fit although there are shipping risks you may want to consider. Hence we advise to follow our suit measurement guide on our website, http://www.oxfordtailor.com.sg/how-to-take-measurements/

However we leave it up to the customer to make the best decision for their purposes.

Men’s Suit –
Measure your best fitting suit

Please note that the suit should be laid flat on a table or smooth surface for proper measurement.

1. JACKET HALF CHEST

Button up the coat and lay it on flat surface. Measure from left edge to right edge just below the sleeves.

2. JACKET HALF WAIST

Button up the coat and lay it on flat surface. Measure from left edge to right edge at the waistline.

3. YOKE

Lay coat on flat surface and measure shoulders straight across from left shoulder seam to right shoulder seam

4. SHOULDER

Measure the distance between sleeve and collar along the shoulder seam.

5. JACKET LENGTH (UPPER)

Lay coat on flat surface and measure from shoulder seam connecting the neck to the bottom.

6. SLEEVE LENGTH

Lay coat on flat surface and measure with the sleeve at your side, from the shoulder’s seam all along the middle of sleeve until the end of the jacket sleeve.

7. SLEEVE WIDTH

Lay the sleeve of the coat on flat surface and measure from one side of the sleeve opening to the other side

8. SLEEVE INSEAM

Lay coat on flat surface and measure inside seam of coat sleeve from armhole to edge of sleeve. (This is a secondary measurement as we use the “Sleeve Length” as primary reference).

9. HALF BACK WIDTH

Lay coat on flat surface and measure back of coat from where armhole meets the sleeve seam across back to center seam.

10. VEST LENGTH

Lay the vest on flat surface and measure from the top of the rear vest down the center back length to bottom.

Allowances generally may depend on fabric weave, quality, measurement profile, and shirt design. Please visit our faqs for more information

** Our tolerance of production (cutting commitment) is based on international standards.

  • Collar : (+/-) 0.5 cm total circumference
  • Shoulder length/Yoke : (+/-) 0.6 cm Total length
  • Chest size : (+/-) 2.0cm Total circumference
  • Waist size : (+/-) 2.0 cm Total circumference
  • Hip size : (+/-) 2.0 cm Total circumference
  • Sleeve length : (+/-) 1.0 cm Total length

These allowances generally apply to all garment types: shirts, suits, jackets, pants for men and women.

Suit Pants –
Measure your best fitting pants

Please note that the pants should be laid flat on a table or smooth surface for proper measurement.

1. HALF WAIST

  1. Button up the pants.
  2. Lay the garment out on a flat surface.
  3. Measure from one side of the waist to the other

2.  HALF HIPS

  1. Button up the pants.
  2. Lay the garment out on a flat surface. Take care to pull any wrinkles and fullness from the back panels.
  3. Measure the distance between the two hip points “C” & “D” as shown by image on the left.

3.  FRONT RISE

  1. Button up the pants.
  2. Lay the garment out on a flat surface. Take care to pull any wrinkles and fullness from the back panel.
  3. Measure from the crotch seam – point “K” as shown in the left image (the point where the inseams meet) to the top of the waistband (point “L”).

4.  BACK RISE

  1. Button up the pants.
  2. Lay the garment out on a flat surface. Take care to pull any wrinkles and fullness from the back panel.
  3. Measure from the crotch seam- point “K” in the image on the left (the point where the inseams meet) to the top of the waistband (point “M”).

5. INSEAM

  1. Button up the pants.
  2. Lay the garment out on a flat surface.
  3. Measure the inseam distance from Crotch, where the front and back seams meet, point “G” to the bottom of the leg, point “H”, at the length you wish to wear bearing in mind whether you wish to cover the boots or shoes.

6. HALF THIGH

  1. Button up the pants.
  2. Lay the garment out on a flat surface.
  3. Measure at the crotch seam line – from point “E” as shown on the left image to the outside of the leg, point “F”, parallel to the waist band.

7.  OUTSEAM/PANTS LENGTH

  1. Button up the pants.
  2. Lay the garment out on a flat surface with outseams at both edges. Take care to pull any wrinkles and fullness from the back panel.
  3. Measure the distance from the top of the waist band to the bottom of the hem.

Allowances generally may depend on fabric weave, quality, measurement profile, and shirt design. Please visit our faqs for more information

** Our tolerance of production (cutting commitment) is based on international standards.

  • Collar : (+/-) 0.5 cm total circumference
  • Shoulder length/Yoke : (+/-) 0.6 cm Total length
  • Chest size : (+/-) 2.0cm Total circumference
  • Waist size : (+/-) 2.0 cm Total circumference
  • Hip size : (+/-) 2.0 cm Total circumference
  • Sleeve length : (+/-) 1.0 cm Total length

These allowances generally apply to all garment types: shirts, suits, jackets, pants for men and women.

Body Measurements

(Ask a friend for help or have your local tailor measure you based on our guide. Please note that our tailor will need to add allowances to your body measurements depending on your body profile.) 

1. NECK

Measure around the lower part of your neck, placing a finger between the tape measure and the neck. You should not feel restricted by the tape for a comfortable fit, and should be able to put your index finger inside the tape.

2. CHEST

Measure around the fullest part of the chest. The measuring tape is usually around the nipple level, under the armpits, and over your shoulder blades. Do not overinflate your chest but stand normally; you should be able to fit your index finger in between the tape and your chest.

3. STOMACH

Measure around the widest part of your abdomen, placing a finger between your body and the tape. Make sure the tape is at the same height at all times. The widest part of the abdomen usually coincides with the belly button. Do not hold your stomach in.

4. WAIST

Wearing trousers and a shirt put the measuring tape around your waist at the height were you would wear your pants and adjust to your designed snugness with room for a finger. Make sure the tape is snug and does not ride over the waistband but you should be able to put your index finger inside the tape.   As a guide, this measurement will be about 2 inches above what you take off-the-rack as they like to flatter, but unfortunately we need real measurements.

5. HIPS

Wearing trousers, measure around the fullest part of your hips, placing a finger between your body and the tape. Make sure the tape is straight at all times. Make sure your pockets are empty and the tape is not restrictive. As a guide, you should not make the tape too snug. You only just be able to feel the tape when measuring

6. SHOULDER

Measure across the top of the shoulder from one edge to the other. Ensure you take the curved contour over the top of the shoulders as shown.  Wearing your best fitted shirt or suit measure up to the shoulder seams.

7. JACKET LENGTH

Measure from the highest part of your shoulder (where shoulder and neck seams meet) all the way down to the desired length, usually around the thumb joint. When measuring, adopt an upright position with both arms on your sides. A shorter, trendier length, looks good when coupled with jeans, but is an acquired taste in a suit.

8. SLEEVE LENGTH

Wearing a shirt that you like, measure with arm at your side, from the shoulder’s seam all along the arm until you find the desired length. Your measurement will be the length of your jacket sleeve.  We recommend that the sleeve should go to the base of your thumb (located at the wrist joint).

9. BICEP

Measure around your upper arm at the widest point when flexed leaving one finger of space to take the measure.

10.  WRIST

Measure around your wrist bone leaving one finger of space to take the measure.

11. VEST LENGTH

Measure from the lower point of the rear collar all the way down to the desired length, usually around the point where the vest covers your belt. When measuring, adopt an upright position with both arms on your sides.

12.  CROTCH

Measure from the top middle of the back pants waist (see point A) all along the crotch seam through your legs until the top of front waist (see point B)   Important: If you have any doubt, compare this measure with pants that fit you well.

13.  THIGH WIDTH

Wearing trousers, empty your pockets then, Start at the top of your inseam, measure around your thigh with room for a finger.

14.  PANTS LENGTH

Measure from the top of pants waist all along the side pant seam until the bottom of your pants or roughly 1 inch from the ground.

15.  INSEAM

Measure from the lowest part of your crotch area to the floor.  Make sure the tape is tight along the inside of your leg, that you are standing straight, and then measure.  No shoes please!

Allowances generally may depend on fabric weave, quality, measurement profile, and shirt design. Please visit our faqs for more information

** Our tolerance of production (cutting commitment) is based on international standards.

  • Collar : (+/-) 0.5 cm total circumference
  • Shoulder length/Yoke : (+/-) 0.6 cm Total length
  • Chest size : (+/-) 2.0cm Total circumference
  • Waist size : (+/-) 2.0 cm Total circumference
  • Hip size : (+/-) 2.0 cm Total circumference
  • Sleeve length : (+/-) 1.0 cm Total length

These allowances generally apply to all garment types: shirts, suits, jackets, pants for men and women.