Measurements: A Step-by-Step Guide

Cheers Corset Lovers!

 

Step 1: Measuring your natural waistline

Your natural waistline is the area below your ribcage and above your hip bones.  Stand straight and exhale to relax the abdomen muscles.  Hold the 0 end of your soft tape measure in one hand and wrap it around your waist until it meets the zero end.  Ensure the tape measure is flush against your skin and in a straight line.  Keep it taut but not tight.  The point at which they meet is your natural waist measurement; jot it down.

Step 2:  Measuring your underbust (ribcage)

As the name implies, the ribcage measurement is taken under the bustline.  Wrap the tape measure along the underbust keeping it parallel with the ground and your waistline.  Using a mirror is the surest way to confirm that the tape measure is flat and parallel.  Record your measurement. 

Step 3: Measuring your hips

When measuring the hips for a corset, you want to measure the 'high' hip.  This is the area at the top of the hip curve or the iliac crest.  Use a mirror to ensure the measuring tape is flat and parallel as you wrap it around your iliac crests.  Jot down this measurement.

Step 4:  Measuring the Length of Your Torso

Hold the 0 end of your measuring tape with one hand under your bust and drop it down to your hip flexor.  Try not to bend while checking the measurement as this may cause a variance in your true torso length.  Ideally, your corset should not be longer than the length of your torso or it will begin to interfere with your ability to sit.

Step 5: Measuring Your Bust

To determine your cup size, round your bust measurement up to the nearest whole number.  Subtract your underbust measurement from your rounded up bust measurement.  Record that number.  A difference of 1 inch = an A cup, 2 inch = B cup, 3 inch = C cup, 4 inch = D cup and so on.