Custom Measurement Guide
Don’t worry if you’re not a professional tailor, you can do this. Grab a friend, a pencil, the customer chart, a magazine and a soft measuring tape (not metal) and just follow these easy steps.
For the person being measured:
Wear a swimsuit, preferably the same type of suit you wear when diving. Be patient with the person measuring you, it will take a few minutes and we want to get it right.
Stand up straight, with your legs slightly apart.
Breathe in and hold your breath while the bust, chest, waist, and stomach measurements are taken.
Face straight ahead, keeping your eyes and head level. It is very important that you not look down, as this will create an error in some of the measurements.
It cannot be overemphasized: LOOK STRAIGHT AHEAD!
Note: If you wear your diving booties under your wetsuit, measure with your boots on.
For the person doing the measuring:
Make sure you have everything you will need before you start: a pencil, the printed customer chart, a magazine and, of course, patience.
Take a deep breath and take your time. Remember the old adage, it’s best to measure twice and cut once! You should fill in the customer chart as you go, don’t trust your memory.
Arm and leg measurements should be taken on the dominant side.
Measurement tape should be snug, neither loose nor tight.
Many of the measurements connect from one point to the next. You can leave one end of the measuring tape in place as you advance to the next measurement.
Take special care when marking the crotch point / inside leg. Place the end of the measurement tape into a magazine, aligning it with the top of the magazine. Ask the person being measured to hold the magazine between their legs at the crotch. It is extremely important that the person being measured stands up straight while this (and all) measurements are taken.
Once again, remember … measure twice and cut once!
The key to a perfect fitting wetsuit is the measurement.
Step – by – step measurement guide:
- Total Body Height: measure the straight line from the top of the head to the sole of the foot
- Head: measure the circumference of the head, placing the measuring tape above the eyebrows
- Neck: measure the circumference of the neck at the point where a collar falls (not too low)
- Bust / Chest: measure the circumference of the bust or chest at its largest point
- Waist: measure the circumference of the waist at its smallest point
- Stomach: measure the circumference of your belly at the navel
- Abdomen: measure the circumference of the abdomen at the top of the hip bones
- Hip: measure the circumference at the biggest part of the hips (legs closed!)
- Shoulder: this is a slightly curved measurement, from the base of the neck to the shoulder joint
- Shoulder to Elbow: measure the straight line from the neck to the elbow
- Shoulder to Wrist: measure the straight line from the neck to the wrist
- Armhole: measure the circumference of the armpit with the arm straight out to the side
- Upper Arm: measure the circumference of the smallest part of the upper arm / bicep with the arm straight out to the side
- Biceps: measure the circumference of the biggest part of the upper arm / bicep with the arm straight out to the side
- Elbow: measure the circumference of the elbow joint
- Forearm: measure the circumference of the biggest part of the forearm
- Wrist: measure the circumference of the wrist
- Outside Leg Length: measure the straight line from your abdomen (top of hip bone) to your ankle on the outside
- Inside Leg Length: measure the straight line from the inner crotch point to the ankle. Please see note item 6 from “for the person doing the measuring” above as it’s very important to get this one right!
- Upper Thigh: measure the circumference of the thigh near the crotch point 3
- Thigh: measure the circumference of the middle part of the thigh
- Above Knee: measure the circumference above the knee joint
- Knee: measure the circumference of the knee joint
- Below Knee: measure the circumference below the knee joint
- Calf: measure the circumference at the biggest part of your calf
- Below Calf: measure the circumference at the calf muscle
- Ankle: measure the circumference of the ankle
- Shoulder to Bust/Chest Length: measure the straight line, following the contour of the body, from the shoulder to the chest
- Shoulder to Waist Length: measure the straight line, following the contour of the body, from the shoulder to the waist
- Shoulder to Hip Length: measure the straight line, following the contour of the body, from the shoulder to the hip
- Hip to Knee Length: measure the straight line from the hip to the knee
- Knee to Ankle Length: measure the straight line from the knee to the ankle
- Back shoulder: measure across the back from shoulder joint to shoulder joint
- Dorsum: measure across the back from armpit to armpit
- Crotch Point: measure the circumference around the crotch and over the shoulder (VERY important to get this one right)
