How to measure yourself for a perfect shalwar kameez

Before you start

Use a soft tailoring tape, not a metal one, and measure over a thin layer of clothing — ideally the kind of fabric you plan to stitch. Stand naturally with your arms relaxed. Asking someone to help gives far more accurate results than measuring alone, especially for shoulder and sleeve length.

Write each number down in inches as you go. If you are between two marks, take the larger one: a tailor can always take a seam in, but cannot add fabric that was never there.

Chest, waist and hip

Chest: wrap the tape around the fullest part of the bust, keeping it level across your back. Waist: measure at the natural waistline — the narrowest point, usually just above the navel. Hip: measure around the fullest part of the hips, about 7–8 inches below the waist.

Keep one finger between the tape and your body. This is not ease (the tailor adds that based on the fit you choose) — it simply stops the tape from being pulled too tight.

Shoulder, sleeve and armhole

Shoulder: measure across the back from the tip of one shoulder bone to the other. Sleeve: from the shoulder tip down to where you want the sleeve to end — wrist for full sleeves, mid-forearm for three-quarter. Armhole: loop the tape around the top of your arm where it meets the shoulder, snug but comfortable.

Armhole is the measurement most people skip, and the most common reason a kameez feels tight when you lift your arms.

Lengths

Shirt length: from the highest point of the shoulder (next to the neck) down to where you want the hem. For a trouser or shalwar, measure from the waist to the ankle bone, then decide on the bottom width (pancha) — around 14–16 inches for straight trousers, wider for shalwar.

When in doubt, copy a suit that already fits

The most reliable measurement is often a suit you already love wearing. Send it with your fabric and our tailor will measure the garment itself and copy the fit — then return it with your order. You can also book a home measurement visit if you are in Lahore.