How to measure yourself for shapewear correctly

Shapewear sizing goes wrong most often at the measurement stage, not the size chart stage. The chart is usually accurate. The measurements people take of themselves are often not. This is a short guide to getting three numbers right: underbust, natural waist, and hip.

The three measurements you need ¶

For a bodysuit, you need underbust (the circumference of your torso directly below the bust), natural waist (the narrowest point of your torso, usually 2-3 cm above the navel), and hip (the widest point of your hips and seat, usually 18-23 cm below the natural waist). For waist cinchers and briefs, you only need the waist and hip measurements.

Take all measurements over bare skin. Measuring over clothing adds 1-3 cm depending on the fabric, which is enough to push you into the wrong size band in a firm-compression piece.

• Stand straight with feet together and breathe normally, do not hold your breath
• Keep the tape measure horizontal and parallel to the floor
• The tape should be snug but not pulling the skin inward
• Take each measurement twice and use the larger number if they differ

Natural waist versus trouser waist: an important distinction ¶

The natural waist and the trouser waist are not the same point on the body. Trouser waistbands typically sit 3-5 cm below the natural waist. If you use your trouser size as a proxy for your waist measurement, you will likely size up unnecessarily in waist cinchers and high-waist briefs, which are designed to sit at the natural waist.

The natural waist is the point where your torso bends when you lean to the side. It is almost always narrower than the trouser waist, sometimes by 4-6 cm.

Reading the size chart once you have your numbers ¶

Most shapewear size charts give a range for each measurement at each size. If your measurements fall in different size bands (for example, a medium waist and a large hip), size to the larger measurement and check the fit notes for that specific product. Many pieces have stretch allowance built in, and the fit notes will tell you whether a particular style runs narrow in the hip or long in the torso.

Getting the measurements right once saves a lot of back-and-forth on exchanges. If you are between sizes and unsure, the contact form is the fastest way to get a specific recommendation.