The Curvy Girls Guide on How to Measure Yourself

19.03.2021

22 minutes

The Curvy Girl's Guide on How to Measure Yourself Correctly

Found a curve fit or plus size swimsuit style online that you love but you don’t know if it will fit? Well, this blog is to help you understand your sizing and help you to take and record your own measurements. We outline what body measurements need to be taken and how to do it accurately. Knowing your own body measurements and having them on file is a great reference for not only purchasing curve fit swimwear online but these body measurements will also help you out with any curvy girl online wardrobe purchase you may do in the future.

At Artesands we are all about designing and creating curvy women’s swimwear that fits your curves. We understand that every woman’s curvy body is uniquely different and breathtakingly beautiful in their own artistic right. It is important that we each understand our body and what shape and size will fit and support us the best.

Below we have created a curvy girl fit guide to help you out with how to measure your beautiful curvy body and to see what size you are on our Artesands size guide.

Click through here to see our Artesands Curve Fit and Plus Size Guide

Measuring your body accurately is of extreme importance to make sure you order the best fitting curve fit or plus size swimsuit possible for your body shape and size. For some women this maybe a daunting task, but we ask you to take a deep breath and don’t think too much as you take your body measurements, as it really is just numbers. It is also very important to note that every body is different and it is very common to be completely differing sizes on your bust, to your waist and to your hips. Having these differing measurements is what makes us, us and gives us our own unique body shape. At Artesands our styles cater for all the differing body shapes.

An important starting point to taking your curvy body measurements - Please relax while taking your measurements. Be in a good frame of mind Look at the measurements as numbers and nothing more, because that is all they are. And maybe asking a friend to help is a good idea.

What you need to take your body measurements:

Tape measures, we suggest having 2 tape measures on hand.
A full length mirror.
A pen and paper for writing down your measurements.
A calculator.
And a curvy body that is dying to find its perfectly fitting curve fit or plus size swimsuit.

What to wear whilst taking your measurements

Please take your measurements whilst wearing a bra and undies. Please don’t take your measurements over clothes. We suggest you wear a pair of very comfortable relaxed undies, don’t wear any underwear with any compression or restriction, make sure the elastic isn’t digging in and they feel good on.

We also suggest a good fitting, supportive bra. This is very important as a poor fitting bra will mean your bust measurement may not be accurate. A nice supportive bra is one where your breasts are sitting into the cups correctly, not bulging out of the top or sides and the under band on the bra is not ride up at the back. If the bra is digging in or not staying in position as you move around it is probably not fitting you correctly. This means it is not holding your bust in the correct position and the measurements you take may not be accurate.

We would also like to add that it is important to take your measurements twice to make sure you get the same number twice. And please note that our bodies fluctuate and it’s important to remeasure yourself every time you would like to buy something new.

6 measurements are required of your body to find your perfectly fitting curvy swimsuit:

Bust
Under bust
Waist
High hip
Low hip
Torso or body length

How to Measure Your Bust

For this body measurement you need to measure around the widest part of your bust

Please make sure you are wearing a good fitting, supportive bra to get this measurement.
No boosters, push ups or minimizer bras and no crop tops.
An everyday supportive bra without padding is what we suggest, a little bit of soft padding would be acceptable.
Stand sideways and look at yourself in the mirror.
When looking at yourself side profile in the mirror your bra back should be in line with the front of your bra and parallel to the ground.
To measure, run the tape measure horizontally around the fullest part of your bust at the front and around your back roughly just above where your bra is sitting. The tape measure should be parallel to the floor.

How to Measure Your Under Bust

For this body measurement you need to measure under your bust

Please make sure you are wearing a good fitting bra to get this measurement as above discussed above.
Stand sideways and look at yourself in the mirror.
When looking at yourself side profile in the mirror your bra back should be in line with the front of your bra, it should be parallel to the floor.
To measure, run the tape measure horizontally along the bottom of your bra at the back and bring it around to the front.
Please note this measurement should not include any of your bust, you must ensure the tape measure is sitting underneath your breasts, so looking in the mirror may come in handy.

How to Measure Your Waist

For this body measurement you need to measure your waist at its smallest point

Please make sure you have no clothes on your tummy area and you are measuring on bare skin.
Stand in front of a full-length mirror.
To find your natural waistline, bend to one side and look for the natural indentation in your torso. This is your natural waist.
If you are struggling to find your waistline, you can measure midway around your torso which is around the lowest point of the rib cage.
To measure run the tape measure around your natural waistline, keeping the tape measure parallel to the ground to get an accurate curvy girls waist measurement.

How to Measure Your Upper Hip

For this body measurement you need to measure your tummy at its fullest point. After you have measured your waist and found your natural waistline, tie a ribbon, cotton tape or a piece of string around your natural waist. Please keep the tie in place securely around your waistline until the two hip measurements are taken.

To find your upper hip

Whilst looking in the mirror, position the tape measure vertically at the side of your body. The tape measure needs to line up with your natural waist at the lowest edge of the string/ribbon.
Measure approx. 10cm down from the waistline.
This measurement is to measure the most prominent part of the abdomen. So 10cm may not be accurate for your curves. Measure down to a point that your tummy is at its widest.
Visually note this point on your body.
At this point measure horizontally around the fullest part of the abdomen (upper hip) with the tape measure parallel to the floor.

How to Measure Your Lower Hip

For this body measurement you need to measure your hips at its widest point.

To find your lower hip

Still with waist ribbon or piece of string tied around your waist.
Whilst looking in the mirror, position the tape measure vertically at the side of your body. The tape measure needs to line up with your natural waist at the lowest edge of the string/ribbon.
Measure down approx. 18-25cm down from the waistline tape.
This measurement is to measure the most prominent part of your posterior projection (what a nice way of saying the biggest part of your bottom).
The 18cm to 25cm is just a guide, as every body’s curves are different this measurement may not be accurate for your curves. Measure down to a point that your bottom or hips are at their widest.
At this point measure horizontally around the fullest part of your lower hip with the tape measure parallel to the floor. An uneven hip measure will skew your measurements.

How to Measure Your Torso

For this body measurement you need to measure your body length.

Please have 2 tape measures on hand.
A friend is great to help with this torso or body length measurement.
Start by positioning the tape measure at the centre of the top of your shoulder, where your bra strap sits.
If doing solo, we suggest draping the tape measure behind you. Starting from your back and bringing the tape measure through to your front.
Run the tape measure between your legs and up to your shoulder point. You will possibly need 2 tape measures – this is quite common so don’t be perplexed.
When you bring the tape measure through to the front you can easily see when the tape measure runs out and can easily see where to continue the new tape measure from.

What is My Bust Size

This is an important piece of information to have. Most of us will go and get measured for a bra at a lingerie shop but have you ever thought to measure yourself to see what cup size you are?

You can easily work out what cup size you are after you have completed the measurement steps above.

Write down your bust and under bust measurements on a piece of paper.
Get a calculator.
Minus your under bust measurement from your bust measurement and this will give you your cup size measurement.
Refer to our cup size chart to see what bra cup size you are

Click through here to see our cup size chart and see what cup size you are

How to Buy the Correct Size

Now that you have taken your measurements, compare them to our size chart. If you are buying a swim top look at the bust, under bust and possibly the waist measurements. If you are buying a swim pant you will only need to look at the waist, high hip and low hip measurements. If you are buying a one piece then you will need to look at all the measurements on our chart. Sometimes your measurements will indicate that you will need to buy a different size top and a different size bottom. We offer a great range of separates that can accommodate this.

Click here to see our separates range

As fit can also be about personal preference you may prefer to having a firmer fit on your bottom to your top. It’s important to note that these measurement charts are to be used as a guide only. There are always many different factors that can affect how you fit into your swimsuit including personal preference. Some women prefer a firmer fit where others may prefer a looser more comfortable fit. Keep this in mind when choosing the right swimsuit for you. Your swimsuit should be firm but not uncomfortable. If your measurements don’t make sense or you are having problems you can always email our team for help.

Click through here to contact us

What is a Multifit Cup

Multifit is just another way of saying this swimsuit will fit and suit a large range of cup sizes. Unlike bras where you are restricted to buying your exact size or the bra does not fit you properly. You have a lot more options with a swimsuit that is designed to be multifit. Multifit styles tend not to have an underwire so they can accommodate and fit a larger range of cup sizes in the bust area.

The Curvy Girl's Guide on the Dont's of Taking Your Own Measurements

The do’s for accurately measuring your curvy swimsuit body

Do ask a friend to help you.
Be relaxed and be in a comfortable space.
Do be truthful. Don’t take off and add on an inch because that’s what you feel your measurement should be. Be truthful to get the best fit for you.
Use a measuring tape – have 2 on hand.
Do have a pen and paper ready to write down your measurements.
Do stand-up tall.
Do use a tape measurement the right way round.
Do have good posture.
Do stand in front of a full length mirror (if possible).
Do measure yourself in well-fitting under wear.
Do measure yourself twice or measure yourself again the next day to get accurate measurements.
These are just numbers don’t over analyse your measurements.
Do use a tape measure that has clearly visible numbers.
Do have a calculator handy.

The dont’s for accurately measuring your curvy swimsuit body

Do not suck in your waist.
Do not be too hot or too cold.
Do not be in a hurry.
Do not use a builder’s tape measurer (imagine that slamming back and hitting you in the face – ouch!).
Do not breathe in.
Do not slouch.
Do not wear a push up bra, or a restricting crop top.
Do not wearing padding.
Do not wear anything that increases your bust size.
Do not measure yourself over clothes.

Please do remember that measurements do change over time so even if you bought a pair of beautiful Artesands curve fit or plus size swimmers last year, please recheck your measurements again this year.

Click through here to see our latest curve fit and plus size swimwear new releases

As with all our swimsuits please make sure you read the care instructions and launder your swimwear immediately after each use. If you get yourself a beautiful new Artesands curve fit swimsuit, please always remember to hand wash gently once you have taken it off straight away. This will prolong the life span of your swimmers. We do not want your new curvy swimsuit damaged by chemicals or the salt in the water. Make sure you take care of your swimsuit and follow these care instructions carefully to get the longest life! Our swimsuits are made to last if given the right and correct care.

Click through here to read our blog on how to care for your swimsuit correctly