Journal  ·  17 August 2026

How to take your measurements for a bridal order

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Made-to-measure lives or dies on the measurements. If you are visiting the studio we take them ourselves; if you are ordering from abroad, you will take them — or have a local tailor take them — to a list we send. Either way, here is how to get numbers we can actually cut to.

First, the reassuring part

You do not have to be perfect. Every commission includes two fittings before final delivery, precisely so the fit can be refined rather than gambled on one set of numbers. Good measurements get us close; the fittings do the rest.

What you need

• A soft measuring tape (the cloth kind, not a metal builder's tape).
• A second person — self-measuring the back and shoulders is where errors creep in.
• Close-fitting clothes, not a bulky shalwar kameez. Measure over what you would wear under the outfit, not over layers.
• The heel height you intend to wear on the day, so the length is right.

The measurements that matter

For a bridal silhouette these are the ones we ask for. Keep the tape level and snug, not tight:

• Bust — around the fullest part, tape level across the back.
• Waist — the narrowest point, and note where you actually want the waistline to sit.
• Hips — the fullest part below the waist.
• Shoulder width — from shoulder point to shoulder point across the back.
• Sleeve length — shoulder point down to where you want the sleeve to end, arm slightly bent.
• Shirt / kameez length — from the shoulder to where the hem should fall.
• Full length — shoulder to floor (in your chosen heels) for a gown, maxi or farshi lehanga.
• Armhole and bicep — for a comfortable, photograph-ready fit through the arm.

Write each number down as you go, with your height noted at the top. If in doubt on any one, tell us you are unsure rather than guessing — we would rather know.

Two things people get wrong

• Measuring over the wrong clothes. A heavy kurta adds inches that are not you. Close-fitting only.
• Guessing the waistline. Where the waist sits on the finished piece is a design choice — tell us high, natural or dropped rather than leaving us to assume.

How we use them

Your measurements are recorded and kept on file, the piece is cut to them, and the two fittings settle the final fit. Send them to us however is easiest — typed into WhatsApp is perfectly fine. More common questions are on our FAQ.