proper way to measure clothes

[Anonymous]

I see measurements such as “long” “pit” ” breast area” “inseam” “Pits” “sleeves”

*but* .. I can meansure pit to pit in different spots are get different widths for the same item.

Same with “long” .. is it from bottom of collar to the bottom of the item or from top of collar to the bottom of the item?

Whats the standard accepted place to measure from/to???

thanks

[Jay]

We always measure from seams or top/bottom, but it can be difficult. We just to do the best we can. I assume this is why some people take photos with measuring tape to show where the measurement is.

Have you had any complaints from buyers? I cant remember the last time someone blamed us for mis-measuring.

[bcfol440]

U I have become less picky about my perfect measurements over time. I never get a mismeasure complaint, the “fit” returns can mean everything from it does not go around their body to the way it looks on their body.
I had a buyer give me a low rating b/c he said it was a woman’s coat even though I had measurements, the buttons on the mens side, and it was a frickin farmer /trucker jacket. So, you will always get those people.

[T-Satt]

for us, the chest is pit seam to pit seam (and we show both the pit-to-pit and the full (double) numbers to avoid confusion

Length is from the collar seam to the bottom (not the top of the collar)

Sleeve on shirts is always from midline of the back (at the same collar seam as for the length) to the cuff.

[Anonymous]

I always avoided listing clothing because I never knew the proper way to measure

I just listed a few clothes and people are asking me for breast, pit to pit – etc — and I am not experienced enough to know proper way to measure.

clothes are big brand name nice stuff so I couldn’t resist

I’m just a tech guy

so thanks for all the replies

[T-Satt]

No worries. I didn’t know how to measure when I started, now it is second nature.

If you get into pants, you want:

Waist
Inseam
Rise
Overall Length
Thigh
Cuff

And if dress pants, how much inside material is at the cuff to let out. This was asked a lot of me at the beginning, so now I do it every time to avoid the question. Same goes for Suits and Sport Coats at the sleeve, measuring how much is available to let out the sleeve.

[cheryl5678]

Don’t know if this will help anyone but when measuring pants, I use the acronym WHIRL, which stands for Waist, Hips, Inseam, Rise, Length. I keep a stack of Post Its next to my measuring table, write WHIRL on each one, then the measurements, then push the Post It over the top of the hanger. After photographing 20 or so items of clothing, I take them all to my computer, then start listing. In 24+ years of eBaying, I’ve never been asked for measurements other than those.

[aperture]

I am tired of getting clothing returns for fit. I have mostly stopped buying clothing and shoes for the most part. I say a little prayer every time I sell any of my existing inventory. When something gets returned twice, I donate it. Right now my donation pile has a Levi’s Jeans Jacket that is cursed.

Anyway – all that to say that I think buyers don’t read measurements or don’t know how to interpret them.

[Jay]

I think buyers are getting spoiled by easy returns online (fueled by Amazon). People order ten items to try on. Send nine items back.

[Author]

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