How to Measure Yourself for a Sherwani: A Step-by-Step Guide

A sherwani is a structured garment. It sits close through the chest and shoulders, falls in a clean line and, for most grooms, ends somewhere around the knee. That is why fit matters so much more than it does with a relaxed kurta, and why accurate measurements are the single most useful thing you can send us.

The good news is that you do not need to be a tailor. With a soft tape, a helper and ten minutes, you can take every measurement we need at home.

What you need

• A soft tailor's tape, not a metal measuring tape.
• A helper. It is very hard to keep the tape level around your own chest or back.
• A thin shirt and trousers, with no belt and nothing in your pockets.
• The shoes you plan to wear, if you want the trouser length to be exact.

The measurements, in order

Our size guide has a full-body diagram with every point numbered, and you can switch between inches and centimetres. The same numbers appear in the measurement form on every product page, so you can copy them straight across. In brief:

Upper body

• Neck: around the base of the neck, where the collar sits, with one finger of room.
• Shoulder: across the back, from the tip of one shoulder bone to the other.
• Chest: around the fullest part of the chest, under the arms, with the tape level.
• Waist and hips: at the navel, and around the fullest part of the seat.
• Sleeve, bicep and wrist: from the shoulder tip over a slightly bent elbow to the wrist bone, then around the upper arm and the wrist.

Lengths: jacket and kurta

This is where many online orders go wrong, because a sherwani outfit usually has two garments of different lengths.

• Jacket length is the sherwani itself, or the bandhgala or Nehru jacket. Measure from the highest point of the shoulder, next to the neck, straight down to where you want it to end. Most sherwanis fall at or just below the knee.
• Kurta or shirt length is the garment worn underneath. Measure from the same point to where you want the kurta to end, usually a little shorter than the sherwani so it does not show below the hem.

Lower body and height

• Trouser waist, thigh, knee and ankle: the ankle measurement sets the opening for churidars and slim trousers.
• Trouser length and inseam: down the outside and the inside of the leg to where you want the hem.
• Height: standing against a wall without shoes, noted in feet and inches. It helps us balance the proportions of long garments.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Measuring a garment instead of your body. We add the right amount of ease for each silhouette, so we need your body measurements.
• Pulling the tape tight. It should be snug but not compressing.
• Holding your breath or your stomach in. Stand naturally, the way you will stand on the day.
• Letting the tape slip at the back. This is the most common reason chest measurements come out wrong, and why a helper matters.

Measure everything twice. If the two readings differ, send us both and we will ask the right follow-up question.

Sending your measurements

On any product page, choose My own measurements under Fit and a form opens with every field numbered to match the diagram. If you would rather measure later, choose to send them on WhatsApp after ordering. Either way, the studio reviews every set before any fabric is cut, and contacts you if anything looks unusual. You can read more about how made to measure works.

Prefer to be measured in person? Book a consultation at our Shahpur Jat studio, or ask us for a video call and we will guide you through each step live.