How to measure your body for best fit plus size snow, ski and technical outerwear clothing
2 Simple Steps to finding your best plus size snow, ski and technical outerwear clothing you’ve ever worn
First and most importantly know this:
YOUR SIZE DOES NOT DEFINE YOU
It’s just a number.
Cut the tag off later if you need to, but don’t let the number stop you from purchasing your best fitting style. When outdoors in winter, comfort is queen! Snow gear always runs small, we know that already so don’t feel bad about other people’s mistakes.
- Take your measurements
- Compare* them to the size chart
Don’t know how? Read on, scan to the pictures or watch the video below
OR Go to our Shop your Shape page and our Virtual Stylist (a real person) can find your best size and/or style for your shape.
*IMPORTANT TO NOTE - the size chart is the actual garment’s dimensions (with a best guess for a comfortable stretched measurement), so you need to allow room for the insulation and the clothing itself, layering clothing and for movement. Getting sitting and standing measurements can be a good guide too. As a general rule we suggest 6 cm in the waist and hips, and 2cm in the thighs but this will depend on the measurement itself (it is in the hips which change when sitting or squatting, or is it in the thighs which can be malleable). Garment stretch, adjustment and shapre will also be a factor. Also consider, if are you buying thermals which need to be more figure hugging or a ski jacket which needs to be layered over other clothing.
Why MEASURING your Body and IGNORING your size as a number which you relate to, is the best way to find the best fitting snow clothing when shopping online
Isn’t it annoying that there isn’t an industry standard size chart which works?! In the plus size snow clothing industry this seems to be a bigger problem than in standard sizing due to the lack of options and brands which actually make the gear.
Sometimes you’re a size 20 and other times you’re a size 26 in those ski pants you love. Wait, What?! We feel you, it’s frustrating at our end too, that not every clothing size number is made equal between brands and, even with some styles across the same brand, the dimensions can vary significantly. Ugh!!
We know even plus size bodies come in all shapes and sizes (well, that’s no surprise!), so it’s important to us to stock a wide range of shapes and sizes to fit all kinds of curvy bodies (not just those plus size shapes which go bigger and longer everywhere or making one size bigger bigger than their normal sizes). We continue to focus on creating a range of plus size only, highly technical ski and snow clothing from quality brands in a wide range of curvy styles to give you a choice of plus size snow pants, jackets and thermals which compliment your figure and make you feel like a queen in your snow gear.
When you take the time to Measure, you Can Make your ski clothing online Shopping experience More Successful
Knowing (not guessing) your measurements will ensure that you can confidently choose the best size snow jacket or ski pants. It is the first and most important step in taking a lot of the risk out of online shopping, and while we have an easy returns and exchange system set up, it’s always good to get your fit right the first time. It’s going to save you disappointment (who likes parcels delivered which don’t fit!) and a lot of time and money (returning disappointing purchases is such a chore!). So, a little extra time spent before you buy will take out the guesswork with your final size and even style choice. Even a style you love which doesn’t fit you comfortably is a fail!
3 ways to learn how to take your measurements to confidently make your online snow clothing purchases.
Once you have your measurements, the hard part is complete! Then the shopping fun begins.
- Watch the video
- Look at the pretty pictures
- Read the detail
NO MEASURING TAPE? USE A STRING AND RULER
DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEASURING YOUR CURVES
Ok, we get it, you’re a detail person (like us!) Doing your research as completely as possible will get you
If you don’t have a measuring tape, you can use a piece of string. Follow our body measurement tips but instead of using a cloth measuring tape, swap it out for a piece of string, then lay the string down on a flat surface and measure it out with a metal measuring tape or a ruler.
Use a mirror or a friend to help you get the most accurate measurements
Chest
- Place one end of the tape measure at the fullest part of your bust and wrap it around your body to get the measurement.
- Keep tape parallel to the floor.
Waist
- A pants waist measurement is the top waistband measurement which might not be exactly where your natural waist is. A good standard is around your belly button
- A jackets waist measurement is the narrowest part of the jacket, usually halfway from the armpit to the hem of the jacket
- Your body’s natural waist can be found by bending sideways and seeing where you crease, or your can find the narrowest part of your waist, located above your belly button and below your rib cage.
- Some brands use a “low” waist measurement. For this, you would measure at the point where your trousers would normally ride.
Hips
- Stand with your feet together and measure the fullest part of your hips and bum .
- A mirror or a friend can help you keep the measuring tape parallel to the floor.
Inseam
- The inseam is the distance from the uppermost part of your inside thigh (your crotch seam) to your ankle.
- It is easiest to measure the inseam based on a well-fitting pair of pants in the correct length. Measure from the crotch to the cuff on the inside seam of the leg.
- The best length for a pair of ski pants is a bit longer than a normal pair of pants. The bottom hem of the pant should be at least resting on your feet.
- Keep in mind you need extra length when sitting down and for your pants to rest over your boots to stop any snow getting in.
- Many pants can be easily hemmed if much too long.
Thigh
- Measurement is taken about 2 inches down from the crotch cross seam, or the widest part
- Thighs are somewhat malleable and also do change depending on whether you are sitting or standing so this is a good measurement to cross check with a pair of non stretch pants you already own.
Other measurements you may also need to consider, depending on your body shape or product your are purchasing are:
- Stretched - indicating when a garment has significant stretch in the fabric or design
- Rise (the measurement from the cross seam of your pants to the waistband) in the front and back as sometimes they are different. This will give you an indication of how high the pant will come on your waist
- Arm circumference (the measurement around the widest part of your sleeve about 1 inch below the shoulder seam)
- Sleeve length (the measurement from the center of your back, underneath the collar seam, across to the top shoulder seam and then down the top of the arm)
AND with our Personalised Fitting Service, Virtual Fitting Service, you can enter your measurements and a few more important/specific details into our Shop Your Shape Form, we’ll recommend some specific options for you! It would be our pleasure! We think it is one of the best ways that online shopping with us can be better than visiting an actual store!
FINAL EXTRA TIP TO CROSS CHECK YOUR MEASUREMENTS
If you’re really nervous about getting your body measurements right or making a mistake buying online (or are really pressed for time and dont have the time for a return or exchange), you could cross check your measurements with items of their own clothing.
Measuring your own clothing may feel like a time consuming and annoying process but it really is pretty easy and it is likely to save you time and money in the long run.
The best way to do this is to:
1. Grab a pair of your own pants or jacket or coat which fit you well and don’t have too much stretch.
2. Measure the pants and/or jacket
3. Compare the measurements to the size chart for the product you are interested in purchasing on each product page.
Lay your measuring tape out flat on a table or flat surface. We tape the measuring tape to the table to keep it in place.
Have a pen and paper handy to write down your measurements straight away.
PANTS – Measure the Waist, Hip, Thigh and Inseam or ‘in-leg’.
PLUS SIZE SNOW PANTS MEASURING
WAIST
To measure the waist of the pant hold your fingers on the inside of the pant and place on top of the measuring tape. You're measuring the top edge of the pant. First, measure the waist’s ‘relaxed’ measurement which is just laying the pant on top of the measuring tape without any tension. To measure the pant’s ‘extended measurement’, stretch the waistband as far as you can and hold against the tape measure.
Record these measurements and then double it keeping in mind that there are two sides of the garment
HIPS
Next measure the hips. This can vary slightly but with Cartel pants for example, this measurement is 3 inches up from the crotch cross seam.
Pull the fabric firm and tight and measure from seam to seam.
Again, double this measurement for the full hip circumference.
THIGH
For the thigh measurement just measure around one thigh. So take this from approximately 1 inch down from crutch cross seam.
Pull the fabric tight and measure from seam to seam.
Double this measurement for the full thigh measurement.
INSEAM
To measure the Inseam or Inleg: Measure from the crutch cross-seam to the bottom hem.
PLUS SIZE SNOW JACKET MEASURING
Lay your measuring tape out flat on a table or any flat surface and tape the measuring tape to the table to keep it in place.
Have a pen and paper handy to write down your measurements straight away.
First zip up all the zips and pockets
JACKET – Measure the Chest, Waist and Hips or bottom hem (whichever is the widest).
CHEST
To measure the chest, measure one inch down from the armpit seam, pull the fabric tight and measure across from seam to seam.
Record these measurements and then double it keeping in mind that there are two sides of the garment
WAIST
Measure the waist. This can vary but with our Cartel Jackets, we are going to take this measurement at the ½ waypoint from the armpit seam to the bottom hem.
Pull the fabric firm and tight and measure from seam to seam.
Again, double this measurement for the full hip circumference.
HIPS / BOTTOM SEAM
Hips or bottom seam measurement is the widest part of the jacket. In our Cartel jackets, it is the bottom seam as the jacket doesn’t taper in at the bottom as some jackets do.
So, pull the fabric tight and measure from seam to seam and double this measurement for the full circumference.
Once you have all of your measurements you can head back to the measurement chart on the product page to find your correct size, remembering each product has a different size chart. You will need to leave room for your largest measurement, and remember to leave some room for thermals for a comfy fit
After you have completed your measurement please use our Shop Your Shape form to enter your details and someone from our Sizing Team will get in touch to help you with the fitting.
Sometimes it’s a good idea to measure both and compare the results.
For example, measure the thigh on your non-stretchy pants and then compare this to your own thigh to get a set of measurements.
Some of my customers have found that their clothing measurement is smaller than their body measurement which has not resulted from stretchy clothing (which would be my first thought) because an area such as the thighs can be malleable and can change its shape and form a little when fitting into clothing. The same may not apply for an area such as the hips or waist where you need to bend, breathe and move comfortably.