Measurements Whinge

[mishalak]

Neck 37-38cm · 14½-15"
Arm 86-89cm · 33-34" (really hard to measure on my own)
Chest 87cm · 34½" (if I breath in deeply)

So according to the standard men's shirt sizing I'm a small to medium by my neck size, a large by my arm length, and extra small by my chest size. So you see the dilemma. I own many short sleave shirts because of this, there I can ignore neck size (mostly) and sleave length (totally) and just go for chest size. Bring on those extra small and smalls!

On to pants where if I'm wearing them tight I wear a 74cm · 29" waist or if I'm wearing them comfortable I take a 76cm · 30" waist. For more fun if a manufacturer is up market, like Calvin Klein, I swear they knock and inch off their waist sizes. I have a pair of 28x32 jeans that fit me perfectly without any discomfort, just snug, not even tight. It can be really difficult to find jeans with a 30 waist and 32 inseam by the way. They often don't carry them at places like Costco. The last time I was in I saw Calvin Klein jeans, nifty! In sizes down to 31 inch waist. Bah!

I swear that makers of shirts are missing a big bet too. The usual proportions are 1 small 1 medium 2 large and 2 extra large. If a shirt is supposed to be tight or sheer the small guys are going to be buying a lot more of them than the big guys. Why not ship 2 small 2 medium, 1 large and 1 extra large in such cases? But no. I go to the stores and the smalls are gone and they have four extra large spandex tees sitting around waiting to be sold.

Comments

[jinian.livejournal.com]

I guess boys don't really have it easier in all cases, but it does seem like you get more useful numbers. Women's pants only come with one number, and the calibration varies wildly.

Do you know how to sew at all? I have to make just the arms longer most of the time when working from a pattern, and it's not at all difficult. Of course, if you're looking for spandex, I don't recommend making it yourself. It's monetarily cheaper, but the pain and suffering are great.

[mishalak.livejournal.com]

I can sew a little. I'm finishing up a Hawaiian shirt slowly. Though it is annoying to have to buy a medium shirt and sew it down in the chest and arms so it doesn't look like a tent. But it is a lot easier than trying to build one from scratch. I'm not very forgiving of my mistakes so sewing can drive me nuts.

[mishalak.livejournal.com]

Yeah I know about women's sizing. I occasionally buy women's jeans because sometimes it is easier than trying to find the right measurment in men's. No really. And it doesn't matter since men's and women's jeans are exactly alike in many cases.

[jinian.livejournal.com]

Maybe not exactly alike in my experience, but awfully close. It's a good thing I don't dislike a loose waist in jeans, because jeans made for my waist/hip ratio are not nearly as common as one would hope.

[marykaykare.livejournal.com]

I recommend Lands End. They will often hem your pants to your desired length for free. This is nice as I have a longish inseam for a woman my height.

MKK

[mishalak.livejournal.com]

My mom has trouble finding stuff in her size. so she likes Lands End. She's a tiny bit taller than me and I'm 6'. We have about the same build too. If I buy a sweater for me it'll fit her too.

[mix-o-choc.livejournal.com]

Oh my! aren't you scrawny :)

[mishalak.livejournal.com]

Yep. Dat's me.