Inseam

Bra Size

BAND OR BODY SIZE: Measure around the chest, just under the arms, above the bust. If your measurement ends in a fraction or is an odd number, round up to the next even size.

CUP SIZE: Measure around the fullest point of the bust, keeping the tape level without pulling tight. Refer to the chart at right, the difference between the measurements determines the cup size.

Note: Slips, corsets, bustiers, and teddies are usually sized according to your band size. Slips may also have a length indication.

Measuring Tips and Other Stuff

• After measuring your waist, tie a string around your waist. This forms a reference for other measurements, such as hip and back-waist length.
• With a properly fitting collared blouse, shirt, or dress on, locate the bottom of the collar (inside, not the part that folds over). This will generally be around your second vertebra. Standing erect, measure from there down the string around your waist. This is your back waist length. For GG's this is generally 16-17 inches; for most crossdressers (and tall GG's) it will be more. On auction sites, this may be listed as the bodice length or shoulder-to-waist length. You need this to help keep from buying short-waisted dresses and tops.
• Remember when you measured for your bra cup size? The total measurement is often listed in auctions as the bust size, as it is easier for the seller to measure the total width of the garment.
• You will most likely find that you don't fit neatly in any size in the charts. For one-piece garments, like dresses, it is usually your bust or shoulders that will determine what size you need. For separates (skirts and blouses), you can either figure out different sizes or adjust your padding.
• Wearing a leotard or body suit (i.e. tucked as usual), measure from your crotch down to the lower part of your ankles. This is roughly the inseam you need for pants.
• Measure from the string at your waist to the top of your knee. This is the starting point for knowing what skirt length you need. Add this to your back-waist length (above), and you have a starting length for dresses and slips (a slip should be about two inches shorter than your skirt) .
• Measure the outside of your leg from the waist string to the upper edge of your foot. This is your "outside leg" length. You can add that to the back-waist length for gowns.
• Locate the ends of your shoulder bones. Measure between them for your shoulder width. Most manufacturers assume this to be 16-17 inches. You may be wider; if so, it may control what kinds of tops you can wear.
• As long as you've located your shoulder, measure from there to your wrist for your sleeve length. This will be considerably smaller than a man's measurement, because men measure from the center of the back.
• Are you on the tall side? Try out some raised (empire) or dropped (princess) waistlines. This disguises where your real waist is, and these styles are often more flattering on crossdressers.
• Generally a crossdresser is going to be more "solid" than a GG of the same weight. We have found that the "average" crossdresser can deduct 10-15 pounds when looking at pantyhose charts.
• Bridal sizes and sewing patterns use some really old size charts (much like vintage clothing), so generally you will have to one to two sizes larger for those.

As with all things, labels are only starting points for finding things you like or can wear. In time, you will find some things that work better than others. It may also serve you well to note which manufacturers (and sizes) fit you best and search them out first.

Learning to sew well enough to make alterations will allow you a wider range of items to wear. It might also help you feel more feminine.