How to Measure Yourself for a Custom Abaya

Ordering a custom abaya can solve one of the biggest problems with online shopping: finding a style you love that actually fits the way you want. But there is one part you cannot rush taking your measurements. You do not need to be a tailor or own professional equipment. A flexible measuring tape for a few minutes and ideally someone to help you are usually enough. The key is to measure your body correctly and then follow the measurements instructions provided by the abaya retailer. Whether you are ordering a customized abaya or simply choosing custom sizing the guide will help you through the measurements.

What do you need before measuring?

You need to keep a soft measuring tape handy. Avoid using a rigid ruler or construction tape because it does not sit correctly around your body. You just need to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing while measuring. If you normally wear an inner dress or other layer underneath your abaya keep your usual earring in mind. Stand naturally rather than pulling your stomach in or holding your shoulders differently. If possible you can ask someone to take measurements for you. It is especially helpful for shoulders and abaya length measurements because it is difficult to stand straight while trying to measure yourself. Most importantly, you should not rush to measure. A small mistake in one measurement can affect the way abaya fits.

The Main Abaya Measurements You Need

How to measure your bust

You need to stand naturally with your arms relaxed at your sides. Wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust and keep it level across your back. Do not pull the tape tightly against your body. It should sit comfortably without squeezing you. This measurement is especially important for a closed abaya because you need enough room to move comfortably. One common mistake is measuring too high across the chest. You need to make sure that the tape goes around the fullest part rather than sitting underneath your arms.

How to measure your waist?

You need to wrap the tape around your natural waist. This is usually the narrowest part of your torso above your hips and below your rib cage. Keep your stomach relaxed while measuring. If you're ordering a loose fitting abaya the waist measurement might not be as important as the bust and hips.

How to measure your hips?

Stand with your feet together and measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat. Keep the measuring tape straight and parallel to the floor. It is especially important if you are ordering a straight cut or a less flowing abaya. If you prefer an oversized or a line abaya there might be already considerable room through your lower body. You should not assume that going up a size is always the answer if your hip measurement is larger than your standard size.

How to measure shoulders?

Shoulder measurements can be surprisingly difficult to take on your own so this is where having someone help you really makes a difference. Just stand straight but relaxed. You need to measure from one shoulder point across the back to  the other shoulder point. You should not measure around your shoulders. This is a straight measurement from one shoulder point to another.

How to measure sleeve length?

For sleeve length, you need to start at the shoulder point and measure down along your arm to your wrist. Keep your arm relaxed and slightly bent rather than completely stiff. If you prefer sleeves that extend slightly past the wrist, tell the retailer or follow the instructions provided for the customer.

How to measure abaya length?

This is one of the most important measurements especially if you are petite or tall. Stand straight in the Shows you normally plan to wear with the abaya. Have someone measure from the highest point of your shoulder down to where you want the abaya hem to finish. For many women the ankle or just above the floor works well. Your preferred length might be different depending on your height or footwear. If you already own an abaya that has the exact length you like you can use that as a reference.

EastEssence Custom abaya sizing

If you are shopping for a custom abaya from EastEssence you can check the specific product page before taking your final measurements because customization options can vary by style. We offer women sizing from XS through 7XL and selected styles provide custom sizing options.

Measuring yourself for a custom abaya doesn't have to be complicated. The most important thing is to take your measurements carefully and stand naturally and follow the retailer specific instructions. You just need to pay particular attention to bust hips and shoulders especially if standard sizes have not worked well for you in the past. You can always refer back to EastEssence's abaya collection once your measurements are ready.

Faqs

Q. What measurements do I need for a custom abaya?

Most custom abayas require some combination of bust waist hips shoulders sleeve length and overall abaya length.

Q. Can I measure myself for a custom abaya?

Yes you can measure yourself with flexible tape but having someone help you can make shoulder sleeve and length measurements more accurate.

Q. Should I measure over my clothes?

You can use lightweight clothing that is similar to what you normally wear underneath your abaya.