To measure yourself for clothes, you need a soft tape and three numbers: chest, shoulder and length. Measure over a thin layer, stand relaxed, keep the tape level and note each number. Then compare them with the Size guide on the product page, which lists that piece’s own measurements. It takes about ten minutes to measure yourself this way, and it saves a wrong order.
What you need to measure yourself
- A soft, flexible tape measure (the kind tailors use). A metal builder’s tape will not bend around your body.
- A thin tee or bare skin. Thick layers add centimetres you do not have.
- A mirror or one helper. You can measure yourself alone, but a second person keeps the tape level.
- Paper or your phone notes to write each number down straight away.
The three measurements that matter for a tee or hoodie
1. Chest
When you measure yourself for the chest, stand straight with your arms relaxed by your sides. Pass the tape around the fullest part of your chest, under the arms and across the shoulder blades at the back. Keep the tape parallel to the floor. It should be snug, not tight: you should be able to slip a finger under it. Breathe out normally and read the number.
Common mistakes when you measure yourself: lifting your arms, pulling the tape too tight, or letting it sag at the back. Any of these gives a wrong number.
2. Shoulder
The shoulder measurement runs from the edge of one shoulder to the edge of the other, across the back. Find the bony point at the top of each shoulder, where the arm meets the body. Measure straight across between those points. A helper makes this much easier, because it is hard to measure yourself across your own back.
The shoulder tells you how a tee sits at the top. For a regular fit, the shoulder seam should land near the edge of your shoulder. For a drop-shoulder or oversized cut, the seam is meant to fall lower on the arm, so you should not size up just to get that look.
3. Length
For length, measure from the point where your neck meets your shoulder, down the front to where you want the hem to end. Decide first: at the hip, at mid-hip or lower. A tee that ends at the top of the hip looks different from one that reaches mid-thigh. This is a personal choice, so the best method is to measure a tee you already like from the shoulder seam to the hem.
The easier way: measure a shirt you already own
When you measure yourself, the numbers tell you what you are. A favourite shirt tells you what you like to wear. Lay your best-fitting tee flat and measure:
- Width: straight across the chest, just under the armholes.
- Length: from the highest point of the shoulder to the hem.
- Shoulder: across from one shoulder seam to the other.
Note that a flat width is half the full round chest, so remember to double it when you compare with a chest figure. Then match these numbers against the Size guide on the product page.
Using the Size guide on an EKVAAR product page
Each product page has a Size guide link beside the size options. It carries that piece’s own measurements, so it applies to that fit and that fabric. Two garments with the same size label can have different measurements, which is why we do not print one general chart on the blog. Open the guide on the page you are shopping from, measure yourself if you have not already, and compare.
Take the CORE Crew Tee. It is a 180 GSM cotton crew tee in a unisex regular fit at ₹749. A regular fit is neither tight nor loose, so match your chest and length to the guide as closely as you can. The ORIGINAL Hoodie is a 300 GSM brushed cotton fleece hoodie with a lined hood and front pouch pocket, in a unisex regular fit, at ₹1,299. A hoodie with heavier fabric sits a little roomier over a tee, so check the length carefully before choosing.
If you are between two sizes
This happens to nearly everyone. A few simple rules help:
- For a neat line, take the smaller size. This works well for tees worn alone.
- For comfort and layering, take the larger size. This suits hoodies and anything you will wear over another piece.
- For an oversized fit, stay with your usual size unless you specifically want extra volume. The cut is already generous. Our guide on what to do when you are between sizes for an oversized tee goes through it.
- If the fabric is heavy or brushed, think about how it feels rather than only how it measures.
Common questions you may have before ordering
Many people worry about two things: whether cotton will change after washing, and whether they measured correctly. Cotton can relax slightly with wear, so a tee that feels very snug at first may settle. Do not let that push you into a size that is too large. Measure yourself carefully and choose the size that suits your preferred fit today.
A five-minute routine to measure yourself
- Put on a thin tee and stand relaxed in front of a mirror.
- Measure chest, shoulder and length and write them down.
- Measure your favourite tee flat and note width and length.
- Open the Size guide on the product page.
- Choose the size that matches the fit you actually like, not the one you think you should wear.
Each time you measure yourself, keep the numbers in a note on your phone. When you order again, you will not need to measure yourself at all. For joggers and bottoms, the method is a little different, so read how to size joggers.
Final check before you order
Ask yourself: do I want the tee to skim the body or hang from it? Do I plan to wear it under a layer? Do I like the hem at the hip or below? Your answers matter more than any single number. The tape gives you facts, and your habits decide which fact matters.
FAQs
How do I measure my chest for a t-shirt?
Stand relaxed and wrap a soft tape around the fullest part of your chest, under the arms and across the shoulder blades. Keep it level and snug but not tight, then breathe out and read the number. Ask someone to help so the tape stays flat.
Should I measure my body or a shirt I own?
Both help. You can measure yourself for a baseline, but measuring a shirt you already like is the most reliable. Lay it flat and note the width and length, then compare these with the Size guide on the product page, which lists that piece’s own measurements.
What if I am between two sizes?
For a regular fit like the CORE Crew Tee, choose the one that matches your fit preference: the smaller for a neater line, the larger for room. For a roomy hoodie like the ORIGINAL Hoodie, most people stay with their usual size.
Where is the Size guide on an EKVAAR product page?
It is a link beside the size options on each product page. It opens the measurements for that piece, so you never have to guess from a general chart.
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