How to Measure a Suit Jacket, Pants, Shirt & Vest

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How to Measure a Garment You Own

A man in a modern dark wood bedroom adjusts his black blazer over a white dress shirt and gray trousers, standing in front of a large floor mirror.

1

Pick a garment that fits you well

Choose a suit or tuxedo that fits the way you like.

A man in a navy blazer and white shirt measures a black suit jacket on a bed in a modern, well-lit bedroom. A tablet, hanger, and dress form are on the bed, with a mirror reflecting the man's back.

2

Measure the jacket / pants / shirt / vest

Take key measurements for each piece.

Measurement chart for modern fit jackets with size and dimensions listed.

3

Compare your numbers to BLACKTIE charts

Find the size that matches your measurements.

A man sits in a beige armchair at a wooden desk, using a laptop that displays a clothing product. To his right, a navy blue blazer with black lapels hangs on a wooden wardrobe, with black dress shoes and a bow tie on a small table below.

4

Order with confidence

Select your size and place your order.

What to Measure

Use a soft measuring tape and measure the garment laid flat on a smooth surface.

A black tailored blazer laid flat on a warm beige background, with a wooden hanger inserted at the collar and a white measuring tape wrapped around the body and sleeves.

Jacket

Measure the key points on your jacket to find the best size match.

How to Measure A Jacket →

Black tailored trousers laid flat on a light beige textured surface, with a measuring tape wrapped around the waist and a measuring tape roll placed nearby.

Pants

Measure your pants at the waist and hips/seat, then compare their garment specifications.

How to Measure Pants →

Shirt

Measure your shirt’s neck and sleeve length, then compare its garment specifications.

How to Measure a Shirt →

Vest

Measure your vest for chest and waist to ensure the right fit.

How to Measure a Vest →

How to Measure a Jacket

Start with a jacket that fits you well. Button the jacket and lay it flat on a smooth surface. Use a soft measuring tape to take the five garment measurements below.

1

Chest

With the jacket buttoned and lying flat, measure straight across the chest from underarm to underarm. Double this measurement to determine the jacket's finished chest measurement.

Example: 19" across = 38" chest

2

Jacket Waist

Locate the jacket's waist suppression, typically at or near the primary closure button. Measure straight across the jacket from edge to edge at this point. Double this measurement to determine the finished jacket waist.

Example: 18" across = 36" jacket waist

3

Shoulder

Turn the jacket over so the back is facing up. Measure straight across the upper back from shoulder seam to shoulder seam (point-to-point). Do not double this measurement.

4

In-Sleeve

Measure from the underarm seam to the end of the cuff, following the inside seam of the sleeve. Do not double this measurement.

5

Coat Back Length

Lay the jacket face down and smooth the back panel. Starting at the center back seam at the base of the collar, measure straight down the center back to the bottom edge of the jacket.

Next: Compare Your Measurements

Once you've recorded your measurements, visit the product page for the item you're interested in and select Size Charts & Fit Details, then choose Garment Specs. Compare the measurements of your well-fitting jacket with the garment measurements listed for that specific style.

Garment vs. Body Measurements: The measurements you just took are garment measurements—the actual dimensions of your jacket. They include extra room for fit and movement, so don't compare them directly with body measurements.

Garment measurements can vary by style and manufacturer, so always use the Garment Specs for the individual product.

How to Measure Pants

Start with a pair of dress pants that fits you well. Fasten the pants and lay them flat on a smooth surface. Use a soft measuring tape to take the two key garment measurements below.

1

Waist

Fasten the pants and lay the waistband flat without stretching it. Measure straight across the waistband from edge to edge, then double the measurement to determine the finished waist measurement.

Example: 17" across = 34" waist

2

Hips / Seat

With the pants lying flat, locate the fullest part of the seat, typically 7 to 9 inches down from the top edge of the waistband (about where the zipper fly ends). Measure straight across from edge to edge, parallel to the waistband, then double the measurement.

Next: Compare Your Measurements

Once you've recorded your measurements, visit the product page for the item you're interested in and select Size Charts & Fit Details, then choose Garment Specs. Compare the measurements of your well-fitting pants with the garment measurements listed for that specific style.

Garment vs. Body Measurements: The measurements you just took are garment measurements—the actual dimensions of your pants. They include extra room for fit and movement, so don't compare them directly with body measurements.

Garment measurements can vary by style and manufacturer, so always use the Garment Specs for the individual product.

How to Measure a Shirt

Start with a dress shirt that fits you well. Unbutton the shirt and lay it flat on a smooth surface. Use a soft measuring tape to take the two key garment measurements below.

1

Neck

Unbutton the shirt and lay the collar flat. Measure along the inside of the collar from the center of the collar button to the far end of the buttonhole. Do not double this measurement.

Example: 16" = 16" neck

2

Sleeve Length

Lay the shirt flat with the back facing up and smooth out any wrinkles. Starting at the center back of the collar, measure across the shoulder and continue down the sleeve to the end of the cuff. Do not double this measurement.

Need a little more room? If you have a broader chest or midsection, also review the shirt's chest and waist measurements under Garment Specs to compare the overall fit.

Next: Compare Your Measurements

Once you've recorded your measurements, visit the product page for the item you're interested in and select Size Charts & Fit Details, then choose Garment Specs. Compare the measurements of your well-fitting shirt with the garment measurements listed for that specific style.

Garment vs. Body Measurements: The measurements you just took are garment measurements—the actual dimensions of your shirt. They include extra room for fit and movement, so don't compare them directly with body measurements.

Garment measurements can vary by style and manufacturer, so always use the Garment Specs for the individual product.

How to Measure a Vest

Start with a vest that fits you well. Button the vest and lay it flat on a smooth surface. Use a soft measuring tape to take the two key garment measurements below.

1

Chest

With the vest buttoned and lying flat, measure straight across the chest from underarm to underarm. Double this measurement to determine the vest's finished chest measurement.

Example: 20" across = 40" chest

2

Waist

With the vest lying flat, locate the narrowest point of the vest, typically around the natural waist area. Measure straight across from edge to edge at this point, then double the measurement to determine the vest's finished waist measurement.

Use Both Measurements: Chest is usually the best starting point for vest sizing, but always check the waist as well. If your chest and waist point toward different sizes, choose a size that comfortably accommodates both measurements. If you're between sizes, your waist measurement—and whether you prefer a closer tailored fit or a little more room—can help determine the better choice.

Next: Compare Your Measurements

Once you've recorded your measurements, visit the product page for the item you're interested in and select Size Charts & Fit Details, then choose Garment Specs. Compare the measurements of your well-fitting vest with the garment measurements listed for that specific style.

Garment vs. Body Measurements: The measurements you just took are garment measurements—the actual dimensions of your vest. They include extra room for fit and movement, so don't compare them directly with body measurements.

Garment measurements can vary by style and manufacturer, so always use the Garment Specs for the individual product.

Need Another Fit Method?

A man sits at a wooden dining table in a bright living room, using a laptop. A black blazer hangs on a hanger on the table, and black shoes rest nearby.

Enter Sizes Directly

Already know your sizes? Enter your jacket, pants, shirt, or shoe sizes.

Learn More →

A man in a dark gray t-shirt and black pants stands in a modern bedroom setting, gesturing toward a black blazer hanging on a stand and a pair of shoes on the floor. A smartphone on a tripod is set up on a wooden dresser to his left.

Use Your Phone

Use our phone-based size finder for a quick scan and recommendation.

Try Phone Size Finder →

Man measuring his waist with a tape measure

Measure Yourself

Follow our simple measuring videos and use the size guide to find your best fit.

View Measurement Guide →

Helpful Tips

Measure the garment laid flat on a smooth surface.

Use inches and keep the tape straight and snug (not tight).

Compare your numbers to the right fit category (Modern Fit or Slim Fit).

If you’re between sizes, compare the product’s Garment Specs and ask our fit experts for guidance.

Contact us anytime—our experts are here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes - measuring a garment that already fits you the way you like is one of the most reliable ways to get your BLACKTIE size right. Lay it flat and follow our measuring guide, then match those numbers to our size charts.

You can pair different jacket and pant sizes thanks to our separates program. When in doubt, contact our fit experts for a recommendation, and remember the 30-Day Fit Guarantee has you covered if you need to swap sizes.

Modern Fit offers a more relaxed silhouette, while Slim Fit is trimmer and more tapered. Available sizes and garment measurements vary by product, so compare the Garment Specs for the style you’re considering.

Yes - send us your measurements and our fit team will help match them to the best size for each piece.

Just place a new order for the size or style you need so it ships right away, then return the original unworn item (tags intact) within 30 days. Our team is happy to help - reach out anytime.