Cloak & Dagger’s system of measurements may be different from that of other garment makers, so please read the directions carefully. You will need a tape measure, a yardstick, a piece of string, and some assistance from a friend. You want to enlist someone’s help in taking measurements because they can be distorted if you try to take them yourself. Lay the tape measure flat against the skin; don’t pull it tight, or let it droop. If you want the garment extra loose or tight, put that in as a separate comment.
If you have any questions about how measurements should be taken, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail. Any measurement mistakes on your part will be fixed at your cost.
We may ask for additional measurements that are not listed below.
It may also be a good idea to send along a back, front, and profile picture, so we can get a good idea of your shape.
**IMPORTANT Measurement Guidance**
Take the measurements over top of whatever other garments will be worn beneath the costume. All measurements should be taken wearing any undergarments and shoes that will be worn with the desired garment. If you’re wearing a flattening sports bra, it won’t give us a true picture of your shape.
General Measurement Instructions
To find the true back of the neck, have the person tilt their head forward so that the knobby bone at the back of the neck (the cervical vertebra) is obvious. That point is the back of the neck.
Neck size is the first number listed for dress shirt size (e.g. 17/35).
To find the smallest circumference around the chest/trunk (the waist), tie a string around the general waist area. The string will naturally slip to the narrowest part of her trunk. If the person feels this is still too high, loosen and lower the string to where it feels right. Use this lower waist if you are ordering pants or a skirt. But use the higher waist if you are ordering a bodice or gown.
Cloaks
For cloaks, we need at minimum:
- height
- neck size
- shoulder width
- We also need your hood shape/size reference.
Looser-fitting robes
- Neck measurement – with the tape measure on edge, with a finger inside the tape to hold it
- Front length – collarbone at base of front neck to floor
- Back Length – nape to floor (measure with the shoes you will be wearing on)
- Total arm length – center back to shoulder, shoulder to elbow, elbow to wrist
- Bicep – Measure the circumference around your bicep
- Center back to shoulder – from the top of your spine out to your shoulder
- Down arm to elbow – from the top of your shoulder to your elbow
- Over bent elbow to wrist – bend your arm (think funky chicken) and measure from your shoulder to your wrist
- Sleeve Length – the sleeve is measured from the bump at the base of the neck in back over the shoulder, around a bent elbow, to the wrist
- Shoulder width – from point of shoulder to point of shoulder, both front and back measurements
- Armscye – the arm opening at the shoulder, measured comfortably around at the armpit
- Chest circumference – the widest part
- Waist – circumference around your natural waist (right above your hips)
- Hip – circumference around the widest point of your hips
Gowns
- Back Length – nape to floor (measure with the shoes you will be wearing on)
- Front length – collarbone at base of front neck to to the desired length
- Neck measurement – with the tape measure on edge, with a finger inside the tape to hold it
- Over Bust – directly under arms over the breasts
- Bust – the widest part (this is not your bra band size)
- Chest circumference – under bust
- Bust height – from your shoulder to widest point of your bust
- Bust point width – point to point (with a bra or foundation undergarment on)
- Total arm length – center back to shoulder, shoulder to elbow, elbow to wrist
- Sleeve Length – the sleeve is measured from the bump at the base of the neck in back over the shoulder, around a bent elbow, to the wrist
- Bicep – the circumference around your bicep
- Arm to elbow – from the top of your shoulder to your elbow
- Over bent elbow to wrist – bend your arm (think funky chicken) and measure from your shoulder to your wrist
- Armscye – the arm opening at the shoulder, measured comfortably around at the armpit
- Sleeve opening – around a closed fist, to determine the sleeve opening
- Forearm – circumference around the forearm, just below the elbow.
- Center back to shoulder – from the top of your spine out to your shoulder (where the fold forms when you raise your elbow)
- Shoulder width – from point of shoulder to point of shoulder, both front and back measurements
- Back to waist – from the nape of your neck to your natural waist in back
- Hip – circumference around the widest point of your hips
- Hip Height – from the front of your shoulder to where your hip begins
- Waist – circumference around your natural waist (right above your hips)
- Front waist to floor – from the front of your waist directly down to the floor
- Front length – collarbone at base of front neck to floor
Tunics
- Neck measurement – with the tape measure on edge, with a finger inside the tape to hold it
- Front length – collarbone at base of front neck to to the desired length, probably mid thigh.
- Back Length – nape to mid thigh (or the selected point for the front measurement)
- Total arm length – center back to shoulder (on a level line), shoulder to elbow, elbow to wrist
- Bicep – circumference around your bicep
- Down arm to elbow – from the top of your shoulder to your elbow
- Over bent elbow to wrist – bend your arm (think funky chicken) and measure from your shoulder to your wrist
- Sleeve opening – around a closed fist, to determine the sleeve opening
- Forearm – circumference around the forearm, just below the elbow
- Armscye – the arm opening at the shoulder, measured comfortably around at the armpit
- Sleeve Length – from the bump at the base of the neck in back over the shoulder, around a bent elbow, to the wrist
- Shoulder width – from point of shoulder to point of shoulder, both front and back measurements
- Center back to shoulder – from the top of your spine out to your shoulder point (where the fold forms when you raise your elbow)
- Chest circumference – the widest part
- Waist – circumference around your natural waist (right above your hips)
- Hip – circumference around the widest point of your hips
Pants
- Waist – circumference around your natural waist (right above your hips)
- Hip – circumference around the widest point of your hips
- Rise – from back waist, through crotch, to front waist
- Inseam – waist to bottom of ankle
- Outseam – waist to same place on ankle as inseam, along outer side of leg
- Thigh – largest circumference
- **For tapered leg pants we also need largest calf circumference.
We are currently reworking our measurements system to make it easier for our customers. Please contact us if any instructions are unclear, or if measurements for your garment are not listed. We love to answer questions.