How to Measure Yourself for Online Shopping
Online shopping should feel fun, not stressful. The easiest way to turn “I hope this fits” into “of course this fits” is to know your measurements. Whether you’re shopping Teen Fit, Women’s, or Plus at Online Warehouse Sale, a few simple numbers can help you find pieces that look and feel amazing—while keeping Fashion Affordable.
This guide walks you through how to measure yourself at home using a soft measuring tape (or a flexible stand-in), so you can read any size chart with confidence.
Ready to Put Your Measurements to Work?
Use your new numbers to find tops that fit just right.
Shop Women’sWhat You’ll Need
- A soft measuring tape (tailor’s tape)
- A mirror (full-length is ideal)
- Form-fitting clothing or underwear
- A notepad or notes app to save your measurements in both inches and centimetres
If you don’t have a measuring tape, you can use a string or ribbon and then measure that against a ruler.
Alfani Women Printed V-Neck Collared Top — Blue Sublime Dye
Key Body Measurements for Clothing
1. Bust / Chest
What it’s used for: Tops, dresses, jackets, and Teen/Young Women’s Fit tops.
How to measure:
- Stand straight in front of a mirror.
- Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your bust/chest.
- Keep the tape parallel to the floor and comfortably snug, not tight.
- Make sure it isn’t sliding down at the back.
2. Natural Waist
What it’s used for: Tops, dresses, and the waist size on many jean fits.
How to measure:
- Bend to one side slightly—where your body creases is your natural waist.
- Wrap the tape around this spot, usually just above your belly button.
- Relax your stomach; don’t suck in.
3. Hips
What it’s used for: Jeans, skirts, dresses, and Teen vs Missy vs Plus fits.
How to measure:
- Stand with your feet together.
- Measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat (bum), not just across the hip bones.
- Keep the tape level and snug but comfortable.
4. Inseam
What it’s used for: Pant length, especially jeans and trousers.
How to measure:
- Put on a pair of pants you like the length of.
- Measure from the crotch seam down to the hem along the inside of the leg.
- Write down the number in inches (most inseams are listed this way).
5. Rise
What it’s used for: Where your jeans sit on your body (high-rise, mid-rise, low-rise).
How to measure: Measure from the crotch seam up to the top of the waistband on a pair of jeans that fit the way you like.
Shopping for Teens?
Use accurate bust and waist measurements to choose the right Teen/Young Women’s Fit tops and graphic tees.
Shop Teen / Young Women’s Fit6. Sleeve Length
What it’s used for: Long-sleeve tops, jackets, and coats.
- Place the tape at the top of your shoulder (where a shoulder seam would sit).
- Measure down over the elbow to your wrist bone.
- Keep your arm slightly bent for a realistic measurement.
7. Torso / Body Length (Optional but Helpful)
This can be helpful for crop tops, bodysuits, and dresses.
- Measure from the top of your shoulder, over the fullest part of your bust, down to your natural waistline.
- Note this if you prefer longer or shorter tops.
How to Use Your Measurements with Size Charts
Now that you have your numbers, here’s how to use them when shopping OWS or other Canadian retailers online:
- Start with bust for tops and dresses — if in doubt, prioritize the bust measurement, then waist.
- For jeans and pants, focus on waist, hips, and inseam.
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If you’re between sizes, think about fit preference:
- Size up for a relaxed or oversized fit.
- Size down for a more fitted look—especially in stretch fabrics.
- Check fabric content — cotton with spandex will feel more forgiving than rigid denim or woven fabrics.
At Online Warehouse Sale, product descriptions often include notes like “Juniors fit” or “Young Women’s Fit” to help you understand if the cut is straighter (Teen Fit) or more curvy (Missy / Plus). Combine these hints with your measurements for the best results.
Curvy and Confident
Use your waist, hip, and bust measurements to find plus-size pieces that celebrate your shape.
Shop Plus Size at OWSCommon Fit Questions (and Answers)
What if my bust is one size and my hips are another?
This is totally normal. For dresses, choose based on the larger measurement and use belts or tailoring if needed. For separates, buy tops and bottoms in different sizes.
How often should I re-measure?
Every 6–12 months is a good habit, or after any major body changes. Your measurements are a snapshot, not a judgment—they’re just a tool to help clothes fit better.
Do Teen/Young Women’s Fit, Missy, and Plus use different charts?
Yes. Teen/Young Women’s Fit is usually straighter through the waist and hips with smaller bust measurements, Missy is curvier, and Plus has more room where it counts. If you shop across categories, your size might change slightly between them.
Once you know your measurements, you can move between all these categories more easily and focus on what matters: finding pieces you love at prices that keep Fashion Affordable.