How to Measure Yourself for a Custom Suit

The single biggest reason men hesitate to order a custom suit online is the measuring. "What if I get it wrong?" — it's the question we hear most from customers in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Boston, Seattle, San Francisco, Denver, Phoenix, Nashville, Austin, Portland, San Diego, Minneapolis, Charlotte, Tampa, and Washington DC. The truth is, taking your own measurements is simpler than it looks — and our tailors review every order before cutting begins.

All you need is a soft tape measure, a friend to help with the back measurements, and about 10–15 minutes. No tailor visit. No appointment. No fitting room. Just your measurements, submitted online, and your perfect suit ships directly to your door anywhere in the USA.

What you'll need

• A soft fabric or vinyl tape measure
• A friend or partner to help with back measurements
• A dress shirt — the kind you'd wear with the suit
• Well-fitting trousers for inseam reference
• 10–15 minutes

The 8 key measurements

These 8 measurements allow our tailors to draft your unique cutting pattern — not adjust a standard size, but build the entire pattern from scratch around your exact proportions.

1. Chest — Around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms. Keep the tape horizontal and snug but not tight — one finger should slide underneath.
2. Waist — Around your natural waist, about an inch above your belly button. Don't suck in — measure your natural waist as it normally sits.
3. Hips / Seat — Around the fullest part of your hips, 7–9 inches below your waist. This determines how your trousers fit across the seat.
4. Shoulders — Across the back from shoulder point to shoulder point. The most critical measurement — even half an inch off affects the entire jacket silhouette.
5. Sleeve length — Shoulder point to wrist bone with your arm slightly bent at about 30 degrees. Follow the curve of your arm, not a straight line.
6. Back length — From the base of your neck (the 7th cervical vertebra — the bony bump) straight down your spine to your natural waist.
7. Inseam — From crotch seam to ankle bone. Easiest to measure from a pair of well-fitting trousers you already own.
8. Neck — Around the base of your neck where a shirt collar sits. Keep one finger between the tape and your neck for comfort.

Tips for the most accurate measurements

• Measure twice — take each measurement twice and use the larger number if they differ slightly
• Keep the tape horizontal — every measurement should be parallel to the floor, not angled
• Don't pull tight — snug but not compressing; you should slide one finger under the tape
• Stand naturally — normal posture, arms relaxed at your sides, feet together
• Wear the right clothes — dress shirt and lightweight trousers, not over bulky clothing
• Use a soft tape — a fabric or vinyl tape measure, not a metal builder's tape

What happens after you submit

Our master tailors review every set of measurements before cutting begins. If anything looks inconsistent — a shoulder measurement that doesn't match the chest, for example — we contact you to confirm before proceeding. This review step is why our fit accuracy is so high across customers from New York to Los Angeles, Chicago to Miami, Houston to Seattle.

Your measurements are saved to your account for all future orders. Many customers re-order the same suit in different colors and fabrics — knowing their measurements are already on file makes this effortless.

Every SuitedNoir suit comes with a free alterations guarantee — if anything needs adjusting after delivery, we sort it at no cost to you. Ships to all 50 US states, tracked and insured.

Ready to order? Browse our full collection of custom made suits, explore our linen suits, wool suits, and wedding suits — all made to your exact measurements.