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Every measurement your tailor needs — where to take it, why it matters, and how it shapes the finished garment.
"The quality of a bespoke garment is only as good as the measurements it is built on."
— Raymik Tailoring Standard
Custom tailoring begins and ends with accurate measurements. Whether you are ordering a bespoke suit in Toronto, a made-to-measure shirt in Vancouver, or a custom overcoat in Calgary — the quality of the garment is only as good as the measurements it is built on.
At Raymik Custom Tailor, our tailors take every measurement in person at your home or office across the GTA. This guide explains what each measurement means, where to take it, and how it affects the fit of your finished garment. For clients across Canada — in Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Montréal, Halifax and beyond — this guide allows you to take measurements accurately at home.
Ten precise measurements that define the fit of every men's bespoke garment.
Wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms and across your shoulder blades. Keep the tape parallel to the floor. Do not pull it tight — the tape should be snug but allow one finger underneath. This is the single most important measurement for jackets, suit coats, shirts, and overcoats.
Measure around your natural waist — the narrowest point of your torso, typically about one inch above your belly button. This measurement is used for trousers, suit trousers, chinos, and the waist suppression of a jacket. Stand relaxed and breathe normally when measuring — do not suck in.
Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your seat — typically 8–10 inches below your natural waist. Keep the tape level. This measurement is critical for trousers and chinos to ensure proper movement and comfort when seated and walking.
Measure from the crotch seam down the inside of the leg to where you want the trouser hem to fall. Alternatively, use a pair of well-fitting trousers and measure the inside seam from crotch to hem. The inseam determines trouser length and how much break you get over your shoe.
Measure from the top of the waistband down the outside of the leg to your desired hem. Used alongside the inseam to calculate the rise — the distance from waistband to crotch. A higher rise gives a more formal, traditional look; a lower rise is more contemporary.
Measure across the back from shoulder point to shoulder point — the bony tips of each shoulder. This is the most critical measurement for jackets and shirts. A shoulder that sits too wide or too narrow throws off the entire silhouette and cannot be corrected by simple alteration.
Measure from the shoulder point down the outside of the arm to the wrist bone, with the arm slightly bent. For shirts, sleeve length is measured from the centre back of the neck across the shoulder and down the arm. This ensures the shirt cuff sits correctly below the jacket sleeve.
Wrap the tape around your neck at the level of the collar bone — where a shirt collar sits. Add half an inch for comfort so the collar can be buttoned without restriction. This measurement is used exclusively for shirts and determines the collar band size.
Measure from the top of the collar seam straight down to the bottom of the jacket. The standard jacket back length covers the seat, but your ideal length depends on your torso proportions. A longer back length creates a more traditional silhouette; shorter reads as more contemporary.
Measure around the fullest part of your upper thigh. This measurement ensures trouser thighs are neither too tight to move freely nor so wide they break the silhouette. Particularly important for athletic builds where thigh and waist measurements diverge significantly.
Only a flexible cloth or vinyl measuring tape gives accurate body measurements. A good dressmaker's tape costs under $5 at any fabric store across Canada.
Take each measurement at least twice and use the consistent result. A one-centimetre error in a chest measurement translates to a noticeable change in fit.
Measure over a single layer — a fitted T-shirt and trousers, or underwear for maximum precision. Measuring over a heavy sweater builds in excess that creates a garment too large when worn normally.
Stand in your normal posture — not military-straight and not slouched. Your tailor cuts to your real posture. If it changes between measurement and fitting, the garment will not sit correctly.
Beyond measurements: jacket button stance, trouser break preference (none, slight, full), and pocket style. These style choices are as important as the measurements themselves.
For clients in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Markham, Vaughan, Ajax, Whitby, and Hamilton — our tailors come to your door and take every measurement themselves.
| Garment | Measurements Required |
|---|---|
| Bespoke Suit (2-piece) | Chest, waist, seat, shoulders, sleeve, back length, outseam, inseam, thigh |
| Bespoke Suit (3-piece) | All above + torso length for waistcoat |
| Suit Jacket / Blazer | Chest, waist, shoulders, sleeve length, back length |
| Dress Shirt (Men's) | Neck, chest, waist, shoulder, sleeve length |
| Trousers / Chinos | Waist, seat, thigh, inseam, outseam, rise preference |
| Waistcoat / Vest | Chest, waist, torso length (neck to waist) |
| Overcoat / Top Coat | Chest, shoulder, sleeve, back length, coat length — measured over jacket |
No — for clients in the Greater Toronto Area, our tailors come to your home or office and take every measurement themselves. This guide is provided for clients ordering remotely across Canada, and for those who simply want to understand the process before their consultation.
Your chest measurement is your actual body circumference. A suit size is a number derived from that measurement, with a built-in ease allowance added by the manufacturer — typically 2 inches. In bespoke tailoring, we work from your actual body measurement and add only the ease you personally prefer for the fit you want.
Completely normal — and this is exactly why bespoke tailoring exists. Ready-to-wear suits assume a fixed drop of around 6 inches between chest and waist. Many men have a drop of 8, 10, or even 12 inches. Bespoke cuts the jacket to both measurements independently, so it fits your chest perfectly and your waist precisely.
Use a flexible measuring tape, wear fitted clothing, stand relaxed, and have someone assist you for shoulder and back measurements. Follow the steps in this guide and record all measurements in both inches and centimetres. Email or WhatsApp your measurements to us along with a photo in fitted clothing — we can advise if anything looks inconsistent before beginning your order.
We keep your measurements on file. If your body has not changed significantly since your last order, we use the same measurements. We recommend a re-measure if more than 12–18 months have passed, or if you have gained or lost weight or changed your fitness level significantly.
In the GTA, we come to your door. Across Canada, we work with you remotely. Either way, every measurement is handled with care and every garment is built only for you.