How to Measure Your Bust for a Dress

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Learn how to measure your bust, rib cage, and more for a dress that fits perfectly

Co-authored by Kpoene Kofi-Bruce

Last Updated: March 29, 2024 References

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Measuring Your Bust Circumference

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Taking Your Rib Cage and High Bust Measurements

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Finding Your Bust Height

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

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Things You'll Need

To get an accurate measurement of your bust, you don’t need to go to a professional. It is a very simple task you can do at home either on your own or with a helper. Whether you’re shopping for a dress yourself, having one custom made, or sewing your own dress, you’ll need to take your bust measurement accurately to get that perfect fit. All you need is a measuring tape and the well-fitting undergarments that you plan to wear with your dress. If you’re shopping for a dress at the mall, you will just need your bust circumference. Custom dressmakers may need additional measurements, such as your ribcage and high bust measurements, as well as your bust height (the distance from your shoulder to your mid breast).^{[1]
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Expert Source

Mia Danilowicz
Master Tailor

Expert Interview. 8 January 2021.}

How do you measure your bust size for a dress?

Take a soft measuring tape and loop it around the fullest part of your bust so it's centered over your nipples. After ensuring the tape is level and snug, read the number on the measuring tape, rounding it up to the nearest whole number.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Measuring Your Bust Circumference

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1
Wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Mia Danilowicz
Master Tailor

Expert Interview. 8 January 2021.} To get the most accurate measurement, get a flexible plastic measuring tape and bring it around your torso to the fullest part of your breasts.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Kpoene Kofi-Bruce
Couture Bridal Designer

Expert Interview. 28 January 2021.} Position the tape directly over your nipples and relax your arms at your sides. If possible, get someone to help you take the measurement so you’re able to keep your arms down.^{[4]
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- If you don’t have anyone to help you take your measurement, you can do it on your own. Just hold the measuring tape in both hands, bring it around your bust, and put your elbows down at your sides.
- Make sure the measuring tape is not too high or too low. You should be measuring right where the most protruding part of your bust is, not underneath. That is a completely different measurement.
- It is recommended to use a flexible plastic measuring tape instead of a fabric one. They tend to stretch over time and give you an inaccurate measurement.^{[5]
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- If you’re going to wear a bra under your dress, make sure it fits properly. A good fitting bra fits snug around the torso and the straps stay in place. As for the cups, your breasts should fill them perfectly without any gaping or spilling.^{[6]
  X
  Research source} The bra should be unpadded, as well.^{[7]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Kpoene Kofi-Bruce
  Couture Bridal Designer
  
  Expert Interview. 28 January 2021.}
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Make sure the tape measure is level all the way around. If the tape measure is dipping up or down, you’ll get an inaccurate measurement.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Mia Danilowicz
Master Tailor

Expert Interview. 8 January 2021.} The measuring tape should be parallel to the floor. To ensure that it is level, stand in front of a mirror and turn sideways. Then you can see if the measuring tape is straight and level.^{[9]
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- Check that the measuring tape is straight all the way around and not twisted anywhere, especially in the back.
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Hold the tape measure so it is snug around your bust. The tape measure shouldn’t squeeze your bust too tight or slip down because it is too loose.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Mia Danilowicz
Master Tailor

Expert Interview. 8 January 2021.} This will result in a measurement that is too big or too small, and ultimately your dress won’t fit correctly. Your tape measure shouldn’t suffocate you, but you should not be able to fit a finger between it.^{[11]
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- Don’t hold your breath while you’re measuring. This might make the measurement might come out too small.
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Read the number on the tape measure and round to the nearest whole number. Your bust measurement will be at the place on the tape where the zero meets the slack end of the tape measure. The number that you see should be rounded to the nearest whole number. If the measurement falls at the ½ inch mark, round up. That will be your bust measurement.^{[12]
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- For example, if your bust is 34.5 inches (88 cm), then you should round up to 35 inches (89 cm).

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Taking Your Rib Cage and High Bust Measurements

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1
Place the measuring tape under your armpits to measure over your bust. Some dressmakers may need the measurement above your breasts, depending on the dress style. To take this measurement, wrap the measuring tape around your chest directly under your armpits. Try to keep the tape measure above your breasts, and level at the same time. It should be snug, but not too tight that it squeezes your chest. Record the number on the tape measure after you have exhaled.^{[13]
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- Make sure your arms are down while taking this measurement.^{[14]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Mia Danilowicz
  Master Tailor
  
  Expert Interview. 8 January 2021.} If your arms are raised, the measurement will come out smaller than it really is. Ask a friend to help you if you’re having trouble keeping your arms down while taking the measurement on your own.
- Remove all clothing aside from the bra or undergarments you plan to wear under your dress. If you plan on wearing your dress without any undergarments, take the measurement against your bare skin. This will ensure the best fit.
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Wrap the measuring tape around your rib cage to measure under your bust. Take the measuring tape and position it directly under your bust right where the breast tissue ends. Make sure your body is relaxed and your arms are down at your sides. Breathe normally and inhale slightly, then record the measurement after exhaling. This will ensure your chest is completely relaxed and give you the most accurate measurement.^{[15]
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- Make sure the measuring tape is level to the ground. Check this by looking in the mirror.
- The measuring tape should be applied loosely and not too tight that it pinches the skin.
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Record the number on the measuring tape and round to the nearest even number. You can read the tape measure to find under and over bust circumferences. The size will be at the place on the tape where the zero meets the slack end of the tape measure. The number that you see should be rounded up to the nearest even number. For example, if your underbust measurement is 27.7 inches (70 cm), round up to 28 inches (71 cm).^{[16]
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- These measurements can also help you to determine your correct bra size.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Finding Your Bust Height

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1
Place one end of the tape measure at the top of your shoulder. Put the end of the measuring tape right at the top of your shoulders. The best place to start is right where your shoulder meets your neck. You can complete this measurement on either the left or right shoulder; whichever is the most comfortable for you.^{[17]
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- Wear the bra that you plan to wear under your dress while you take this measurement.
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Bring the tape measure straight down to the center of your bust. Now, make a straight line with your tape measure so it stops directly in the center of your breast right at the nipple. Before recording the measurement, make sure the measuring tape is straight; not crooked or twisted.^{[18]
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- Your neck and shoulders should be relaxed. If you are tense or if you bring your arm or shoulder up, you’ll get an inaccurate measurement.
- Do not raise your arm that’s on the side you’re measuring at any point. It should be down at your side the entire time.
To finalize this measurement, make sure you record the number on the measuring tape that’s right at the nipple. This will give you an accurate bust height for your dress fitting. Do not round this number at all; it should stay as is.^{[19]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

How do you measure yourself?

Mia Danilowicz
Master Tailor
Mia Danilowicz is a Master Tailor who works onset and on the red carpet in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Mia specializes in bridal and gown couturier fittings, garment reconstruction, and custom design. Mia has worked at the Oscars, Grammys, SAG Awards, and Golden Globes. Her clients include a long list of entertainment and fashion industry headliners, major fashion magazines, luxury consumer brands, and popular media. Mia was trained at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and received her AA in Fashion Design and BS in Business Management.

Mia Danilowicz

Master Tailor

Expert Answer

When taking your measurements yourself, it's possible to do it too tightly because your arms are raised a little bit. Ideally, you want to have your arms relaxed at your side. That will give you the most accurate measurement. Make sure your arms are relaxed, or have someone do your measurements for you.

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Question

Where do you take a bust measurement?

Kpoene Kofi-Bruce
Couture Bridal Designer
Kpoene Kofi-Bruce is a tailor, couture wedding gown designer, and the Creative Director of Mignonette Bridal and Ette the Wedding Tailor in Chicago, Illinois. With nearly two decades of experience as a wedding gown designer, small business owner, and vintage sewing enthusiast, Kpoene specializes in wedding gown design and the social history of wedding dresses. She received a BA in Creative Writing from Middlebury College and studied the business of fashion at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program and the Chicago Fashion Incubator and has written about wedding fashion for Jezebel, Catalyst, the Sun Times, and XO Jane.

Kpoene Kofi-Bruce

Couture Bridal Designer

Expert Answer

Wear a bra that's unpadded, then measure above your bust (the tape will be in your armpits), at the fullest part of your bust, and then below your bust.

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Question

Should I use my exact bust measurement when I'm sewing from a pattern?

Kpoene Kofi-Bruce
Couture Bridal Designer
Kpoene Kofi-Bruce is a tailor, couture wedding gown designer, and the Creative Director of Mignonette Bridal and Ette the Wedding Tailor in Chicago, Illinois. With nearly two decades of experience as a wedding gown designer, small business owner, and vintage sewing enthusiast, Kpoene specializes in wedding gown design and the social history of wedding dresses. She received a BA in Creative Writing from Middlebury College and studied the business of fashion at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program and the Chicago Fashion Incubator and has written about wedding fashion for Jezebel, Catalyst, the Sun Times, and XO Jane.

Kpoene Kofi-Bruce

Couture Bridal Designer

Expert Answer

Most commercial patterns will give you more ease around the bust and waist than you will probably want, so just be aware of that as you choose your pattern.

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Things You’ll Need

Flexible plastic measuring tape
Well-fitting undergarments

Tips

If you’re having trouble measuring your bust alone, ask a friend to help by handling the measuring tape for you. This will allow you to have both arms fully relaxed at your side while the measurements are being taken.

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