How to Measure Shapewear Size

Shapewear works great in reshaping and molding your body free of bulges and extra bumps. However, getting your shapewear in the wrong size can dispel any benefit it might have given you. Buy your shapewear in too large a size and you won’t get any shaping from it. Buy it in a size too small and you’ll only get extra bulges from being squeezed and go blue in the face due to a lack of oxygen.

While similar to figuring out your bra size, determining your shapewear size has another dimension. It also needs to factor in your waist and hips measurements as some shapewear styles cover these areas.

Here’s how to measure shapewear size:

Find your bra size.

Your bra size is important especially if you’re buying a shapewear that has cups. Here’s how to do it:

1. 
   Find your band size.
   Wrap a tape measure directly under your bust, keeping it parallel to the ground. Hold the tape measure snugly but not binding around your torso. Take note of the measurement in inches.

   • If the measurement is an even number, add 4 inches.
   • If the measurement is an odd number, add 5 inches.

   The result is your band size.
2. 
   Determine your cup size.
   Hold tape measure around the fullest point of your breasts. Wrap the tape measure snugly without indenting breast tissue. Take note of the measurement in inches then subtract it from your band size.
   

   • For example, if your band size is 36 and the measurement is 33, subtract the latter from the former (36 - 33 = 3).

   The result determines your cup size. Every inch of difference corresponds to an increase in cup size from A onwards. A difference of less than an inch constitutes an AA cup.

   • From the previous example, the difference between your band size and the second measurement is 3 inches. This means that your cup size is C.

Measure your waist and hips.

1. To measure your waist:
   Bend a little to your side and mark the crease or indentation. This is your natural waist. Straighten up and wrap the tape measure snugly around your natural waist. Round off to the nearest whole inch to get your waist measurement.
2. To measure your hips:
   Wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of your torso just below your waist and just above your thighs. Round off to the nearest whole inch to get your measurements.

Shapewear Brand Sizing Chart

For your convenience, we've listed down the sizing charts of your favorite shapewear brands. Check your measurements using these brand-specific sizing charts to find your size.

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