Shopping online is super fun and convenient, but finding your size can be a pain. As a plus size fashion blogger, I get to shop online all the time. And, brands often send me links to order from during the course of a collaboration. However, since sizes are not standardized in women’s fashion, every site is different! My secret tool: knowing how to find your size with measurements!
I promise, once you learn how to do it, and keep it updated occasionally, shopping will be so much easier and more enjoyable!
WHAT YOU NEED:
- Your body
- Something to measure with (I recommend a soft measuring tape LIKE THIS ONE that goes to 120″)
I find that using a mirror can be helpful if you’re struggling to identify the widest part of the area that you want to measure. Bodies are different, and the standard images (including these) that are often used for guides make the assumption that bust and hips will always be significantly larger than waists, which just isn’t true.
NOTE ABOUT WAIST MEASUREMENTS:
Not all folks have a ‘waistline’ that goes in, or is smaller than the rest of their midsection. Sounds like you? NO PROBLEM! In that case, you won’t be looking for the ‘smallest’ or most narrow part of your midsection, but rather your natural waist. We usually find this about one hands width above our belly button.
Once you’ve measured these areas, you’ll be well on your way to shopping with much more ease! I learned that once I knew how to find my size with measurements, my success rate with shopping online increased dramatically!
Have your measurements? Get to shopping! Here is a blog post with a running list of my FAVORITE PLUS SIZE RETAILERS to get you started.
How to Find your Size with Measurements: Boots
I have struggled to find wide calf boots that fit my extra wide calves for longest time! I recently had a boot brand explain to me precisely the best way to measure my wide calves for boots.
Place your foot flat on the ground while standing (ideally bearing weight like you normally would, if possible). Use a flexible measuring tape to measure the widest part of your calf below your knee. If you are planning to shop for over the knee boots, consider measuring just above your knee as well, in case you need that!
Once you have your measurements, feel free to check out my list of FAVE WIDE CALF BOOTS on amazon!