HOW TO TAKE CORRECT BODY MEASUREMENTS:
If you want to be a model or just look great wearing well-fitting clothes, you need to know your true measurements. With the fashions of today, many of us don’t even know where our natural waist is! This is crucial information that modeling agencies like ReFresh Talent rely on.
What’s the big deal?
Accurate measurements will ensure that you are booked for the right types of jobs. Clients may be dissatisfied when you arrive if you do not represent the look they want. It is also common for wardrobe to be provided, and the clothing is purchased based on the measurements on file. If the clothes don’t fit, it’s not only embarrassing for you, but the agency may be held liable. A lot of time and money is involved in planning a photo shoot, and this is one mistake that could ruin it. This should be reason enough for you to learn how to properly measure your body.
Type of measurements you need to know:
· Height
· Weight
· Bust/Chest
· Waist
· Hips
· Inseam
· Dress size/Suit size
· Neck size (men)
· Sleeve length (men)
Below are a few easy ways to take accurate body measurements. Make sure you have the necessary items prior to measuring and that you are wearing a minimal amount of clothing. For women, a bra and panties works best. For men, boxers or briefs. Do not wear shoes or heavy or bulky clothing. Stand up straight and remember to not hold the tape too tightly.
What you will need:
a. cloth measuring tape
b. ruler or flat book
c. writing instrument
d. a friend (proper measurements are almost impossible to do solo)
e. a full length mirror (this is just to micro manage your friend to ensure it is done properly)
Height: Stand straight (not too straight, normal straight) with your back, head and heels against a wall. Ask your friend to place a ruler or flat book on top of your head perpendicular to the wall and mark a spot. Measure the distance from the floor to the spot.
Weight: Ummm, stand on scale and write it down.
Bust/Chest: With your arms relaxed at your sides, measure around the fullest part of your chest (for women, usually across the top of your nipples).
Natural Waist: Find the narrowest part of your waist and measure (while not sucking in your belly).
Hips: Measure around the widest part of your hips, usually around the hip bone area with your feet no more than shoulder width apart.
Inseam: Measure from the top of your inner thigh down to the bottom of your ankle.
Dress Size/Suit Size: The size you wear in a dress or suit.
Neck size (men): Wrap the tape measure fully around your neck at the adam’s apple. This is your actual neck size. Your dress shirt size will be 1/2” larger. For example, if you measure 16”, your dress shirt size will be 16½”.
Sleeve Length (men): Stand still with your arms falling naturally to your sides. Begin at the middle of the upper back. Measure the length from the middle of the upper back to the stitching located at the shoulder of the shirt (write this down). Next, measure the length from the top stitching on the shoulder to the bottom of the wrist (be careful not to measure too high above the wrist, or the dress shirt's sleeves will come up too short). Add these two values together to determine your sleeve length.
Are you ready to be a model now? Let ReFresh Talent Agency help you get started by filling out the Become a Model form!
