Saree blouse measurements

The measurements, and how to take them

Use a soft tape over thin clothing. Give body measurements only; the tailor adds ease for the style you choose.

• Bust: Around the fullest part of the chest, tape level front and back, wearing the bra you will wear with the blouse. Do not pull tight; the tape should sit flat with room for one finger.
• Underbust (band): Around the ribcage directly under the bust. This is the number on your bra label, usually 70 to 100 cm.
• Shoulder width: Across the back, from one shoulder seam point to the other, where a set-in sleeve would start.
• Blouse length: From the highest point of the shoulder straight down to where you want the hem. Most saree blouses run 35 to 40 cm; crop styles shorter, princess-cut longer.
• Sleeve length: From the shoulder seam to the desired end: cap sleeves about 10 cm, elbow sleeves about 30 cm, full sleeves to the wrist bone.
• Armhole: Around the shoulder joint: under the armpit and back over the top of the shoulder. Measure with the arm relaxed at your side.
• Bicep: Around the fullest part of the upper arm. Critical for fitted elbow and full sleeves.
• Front neck depth: From the base of the throat down to where you want the neckline to sit.
• Back neck depth: From the prominent bone at the base of the back of the neck down to the deepest point of the back design.

Size chart

Typical ready-made blouse size chart. Brands vary by 2 to 3 cm, and a custom-stitched blouse beats any chart.

Mistakes that ruin the fit

• Measuring over a padded bra you will not actually wear with it.
• Pulling the tape tight; a blouse cut to squeezed numbers will not close.
• Guessing the armhole from an old blouse that has stretched.
• Skipping the bicep on fitted sleeves; it is the number one reason sleeves will not go on.

Or skip the tape entirely

Scan yourself with your phone camera on Silai: about 2 minutes, free, no tape and no second person. You get every measurement on this page, saved as your naap for any tailor on the platform, in any city or country.

How the scan works Try it on the Pre-Loved rack

Common questions

What does blouse size 34 mean?

A ready-made size 34 is cut for a bust of about 86 cm (34 inches). It says nothing about your shoulder, armhole, or sleeve, which is why ready-made blouses so often need alteration.

How much looseness does a tailor add?

You give body measurements; the tailor adds 2 to 4 cm of ease depending on the fit you ask for. Never add ease yourself, or it gets added twice.

Can I just give my bra size?

It gets close: the band is your underbust and the cup hints at the difference to your bust. But a measured bust beats the estimate, and the Silai scan uses your band number to calibrate itself.

More guides

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