One of the most common questions we receive at The Alex Fashion House from customers around the world is this: “I am not in Phuket — can I still order a bespoke suit?”
The answer is yes — absolutely. We ship custom garments to customers in the UK, Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, the United States, the Middle East, and beyond. And the key to getting a perfect fit without an in-person fitting is accurate self-measurement.
Taking your own measurements is simpler than most people expect. With a fabric tape measure, a friend to help, and this step-by-step guide, you can capture every measurement a skilled tailor needs to craft a suit that fits you precisely — from the other side of the world.
What You Will Need
Before you begin, gather the following:
- A flexible fabric tape measure (not a rigid metal builder’s tape — fabric tape gives accurate readings around the body’s curves)
- A friend or partner to help (self-measurement is possible for some measurements but a helper ensures much greater accuracy — particularly for back and shoulder measurements)
- A well-fitting shirt to wear during measurement (not a bulky jumper or jacket)
- Your normal trousers or suit trousers for trouser measurements
- The shoes you plan to wear with the suit (heel height affects trouser length)
- A pen and paper (or your phone) to record each measurement immediately
Important: Take measurements in your normal standing posture — do not stand stiffly to attention or slouch. Breathe normally. Measurements taken at the end of a breath are typically most accurate.
The Golden Rules of Self-Measurement
Always measure twice. Record each measurement, then take it again. If the two readings are within half a centimetre of each other, use the average. If they differ significantly, take a third measurement.
Keep the tape parallel to the floor. For circumference measurements (chest, waist, hips), the tape should run horizontally around the body — not angling up or down.
Keep the tape snug but not tight. The tape should lie flat against the body without digging in or leaving a gap. You should be able to slide one finger underneath comfortably — no more.
Note your preferred ease. Tailors add ease (extra room beyond the body measurement) to allow comfortable movement. When submitting measurements to The Alex Fashion House, simply send your actual body measurements — we will calculate the appropriate ease based on your chosen fit (slim, regular, or relaxed) and garment type.
Wear the right clothing. Measure over a thin, well-fitting shirt. Never measure over a jacket, jumper, or thick layers — this will add unwanted bulk to the measurements.
Jacket Measurements
1. Chest (Most Important Measurement)
What it measures: The fullest circumference of your chest — the widest point across your upper body.
How to take it: Stand naturally with your arms relaxed at your sides. Place the tape measure under your armpits, across the widest part of your chest (typically across the nipple line), and around your back. Keep the tape horizontal and snug against the body — not tight. Read the measurement where the tape meets itself.
Tips:
- This is the single most important jacket measurement. Take it twice and be precise.
- If you are between measurements, note both and indicate your preferred fit direction.
- Do not hold your breath or puff your chest out.
2. Shoulders
What it measures: The width across the back from one shoulder point to the other.
How to take it: Have your helper place the tape measure from the point of one shoulder (where the shoulder meets the arm — you should be able to feel the bony end of your shoulder) across the back of the neck to the same point on the opposite shoulder. Keep the tape running straight across the upper back.
Tips:
- The shoulder measurement is one of the hardest to alter after a suit is constructed — precision here matters enormously.
- The tape should run across the back, not over the top of the shoulder.
3. Back Length (Jacket Length)
What it measures: The length of the jacket back — from the base of the collar to the desired hem.
How to take it: Stand straight. Place the tape at the top of your spine, just below the collar (the prominent vertebra you can feel when you drop your head forward). Run the tape straight down the spine to your desired jacket length — traditionally just covering the seat of the trousers and reaching to the knuckle of your thumb when your arms hang naturally.
Tips:
- A good jacket length covers the seat of your trousers and falls to the thumb knuckle.
- Note if you prefer your jacket slightly longer or shorter — this is a matter of personal style and proportion.
4. Sleeve Length
What it measures: The length from the top of the shoulder to the desired jacket sleeve end.
How to take it: Bend your arm slightly at the elbow. Have your helper place the tape at the top of your shoulder (shoulder point) and run it down the outside of the arm, over the bent elbow, to your wrist bone. The jacket sleeve should end at or just above the wrist bone, allowing approximately 1–1.5cm of shirt cuff to show.
Tips:
- Measure with the arm slightly bent — this reflects how the sleeve falls in normal movement.
- Note your preferred shirt cuff show: 1cm is conservative, 1.5cm is standard, 2cm is a strong fashion statement.
5. Waist (Jacket)
What it measures: Your natural waist circumference for jacket fit reference.
How to take it: Locate your natural waist — the narrowest point of your torso, typically 2–3 centimetres above your navel. Wrap the tape horizontally around this point, keeping it flat and snug.
Tips:
- This measurement helps the tailor determine how much waist suppression to build into the jacket.
- Indicate your preferred fit: slim (more suppression), regular (moderate), or relaxed (minimal).
6. Half Back
What it measures: The width across the upper back — from the back seam of one sleeve to the other at the narrowest point of the back between the shoulder blades.
How to take it: Have your helper place the tape across the upper back, from the back seam of the left armhole to the back seam of the right armhole, at the level of the shoulder blades.
Tips:
- This measurement helps with the back panel width and is particularly important for athletic or broad builds.
Trouser Measurements
7. Waist (Trouser)
What it measures: The circumference at which the trousers will sit — this may be your natural waist, your hip bone, or anywhere in between depending on your preference.
How to take it: Decide where you want your trousers to sit. For a modern mid-rise, measure at the hip bone. For a traditional high-rise, measure at the natural waist. Wrap the tape horizontally at that point, keeping it snug but not tight.
Tips:
- Note where you want the trousers to sit: low rise (below hip bone), mid rise (at hip bone), natural waist, or high rise.
- This is separate from your jacket waist measurement — they are often different.
8. Seat (Hips)
What it measures: The fullest circumference of your seat and hips.
How to take it: Stand with your feet together. Place the tape at the fullest point of your buttocks and wrap it horizontally around your hips. Keep the tape parallel to the floor.
Tips:
- This is critical for trouser fit through the seat and thigh. An inaccurate seat measurement is the most common cause of trousers that pull or sag.
- Do not suck in — measure your body as it is naturally.
9. Thigh
What it measures: The circumference of the upper thigh at its fullest point.
How to take it: Stand naturally. Place the tape around the top of the thigh — as high as possible without reaching the crotch — and wrap it around the full circumference. Keep the tape horizontal.
Tips:
- Particularly important for muscular builds and for clients who prefer more or less room through the thigh.
- A slim fit trouser has minimal ease here; a regular fit has comfortable ease; a relaxed or pleated trouser has generous ease.
10. Knee
What it measures: The circumference of the leg at the knee.
How to take it: Place the tape around the leg at the centre of the kneecap and measure the full circumference.
Tips:
- Used by the tailor to determine how the trouser tapers from the thigh to the ankle.
11. Trouser Outseam (Outside Leg Length)
What it measures: The full length of the trouser from the waistband to the desired hem — measured along the outside of the leg.
How to take it: Stand straight in the shoes you plan to wear with the suit. Place the tape at the top of your natural waistband (or wherever you want the trousers to sit) and run it down the outside of the leg to your desired hem length. For a half-break finish, stop where the trouser just grazes the top of the shoe.
Tips:
- Wear your intended shoes — heel height significantly affects trouser length.
- Note your preferred break: no break (hem just grazes the shoe), half break (small fold at front crease only), full break (trouser pools onto shoe).
12. Trouser Inseam (Inside Leg Length)
What it measures: The length from the crotch to the hem — measured along the inside of the leg.
How to take it: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart. Place the tape at the top of the inner thigh (at the crotch seam) and run it straight down the inside of the leg to the desired hem point at the ankle.
Tips:
- Many clients find the inseam easier to measure accurately than the outseam — provide whichever you are more confident in and note which measurement you have given.
13. Rise
What it measures: The distance from the crotch seam to the waistband — determines how high or low the trousers sit.
How to take it: Sit on a hard, flat chair. Place the tape at the side seam at the waistband level and measure down to the seat of the chair. Alternatively, measure from your natural waist (or desired waistband position) down the front of the body to the crotch point.
Tips:
- Rise is a comfort and style measurement. A longer rise = higher waistband = more traditional look and greater comfort when sitting. A shorter rise = lower waistband = more modern and fashion-forward.
- If you have a well-fitting pair of trousers you love, measure their rise and note that measurement.
Shirt Measurements
If you are ordering custom shirts alongside your suit, these additional measurements are needed.
14. Neck
Wrap the tape around the base of your neck — at the level where the shirt collar sits. Keep one finger between the tape and your neck to allow comfortable movement. Measure to the nearest half-centimetre.
15. Chest (same as jacket chest)
Use the same chest circumference measurement as taken for the jacket.
16. Shirt Waist
Measure the circumference of your waist at the narrowest point — same as jacket waist.
17. Shirt Length (Back)
From the prominent vertebra at the base of the neck to the desired shirt hem at the back — typically reaching the mid-seat.
18. Shirt Sleeve Length
From the top of the shoulder down the outside of the arm to the wrist bone. Note your preferred cuff style (single, double/French, barrel) and button or link fastening.
How to Submit Your Measurements to The Alex Fashion House
Once you have all your measurements, submitting them is straightforward.
- Write down all measurements clearly — in centimetres, specifying which measurement is which
- Note your preferred fit — slim, regular, or relaxed (or describe the fit you want)
- Note your preferred trouser break — no break, quarter, half, or full
- Include any style details — lapel preference, button stance, pocket style, lining colour, any personalisation
- Browse our collection at thealexfashionhouse.com/shop and identify the garment(s) you want
- Email everything to info@thealexfashionhouse.com and our team will confirm your order, clarify any questions, and begin production
Alternatively, use our dedicated How to Measure page on the website, which includes diagrams to accompany each measurement.
What Happens After You Submit Your Measurements?
Our team will review your measurements, confirm any questions or clarifications by email, and provide a timeline and shipping estimate for your order. We will advise on any measurements that appear inconsistent or that might benefit from clarification.
Your garment is then cut, constructed, and finished by our master tailors in Phuket. On completion, it is carefully packaged and shipped to your address worldwide. All international orders include our straightforward returns policy — if a fit adjustment is needed, we will advise on the simplest way to resolve it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really get an accurate bespoke suit from home measurements?
Yes. The Alex Fashion House regularly produces bespoke garments for international clients using self-measurements, and the results are excellent when the measurement guide is followed carefully. Having a helper take key measurements (chest, shoulders, back length) improves accuracy significantly.
What if I make a mistake in my measurements?
Contact us at info@thealexfashionhouse.com as soon as possible. If the garment has not been cut yet, we can update the measurements. If the garment has been completed with an error, minor adjustments can usually be made locally by any skilled tailor — we will advise on exactly what to ask for.
Should I measure over clothing or against bare skin?
Measure over a thin, well-fitting shirt — not over a thick jumper, jacket, or multiple layers. Bare skin is also acceptable for most measurements. Avoid measuring over bulky clothing as this will inflate your measurements.
I have an existing suit that fits well. Can I send those measurements instead?
Yes — measurements taken from a well-fitting garment are an excellent starting point. Measure the flat garment and note that these are garment measurements (half the circumference) rather than body measurements. Our team will help interpret them.
Do I need to provide all measurements, or just some?
The more measurements you provide, the better the fit. At minimum, we need: chest, shoulders, back length, sleeve length, jacket waist, trouser waist, seat, and outseam or inseam. Additional measurements (thigh, knee, rise, half back) improve precision, particularly for less standard body proportions.
How accurate do my measurements need to be?
Aim for accuracy to the nearest half-centimetre (5mm). A full centimetre difference in a chest or seat measurement will affect fit noticeably. Measurement errors of 2cm or more in key areas may require alterations on receipt.
Can I ask for a video consultation to help with measurements?
Yes. Contact us at info@thealexfashionhouse.com to arrange a video call with a member of our team who can guide you through the measurement process in real time.
Is there a measurement guide on The Alex Fashion House website?
Yes. Visit thealexfashionhouse.com/how-to-measure for our illustrated measurement guide, which accompanies this written guide with diagrams for each measurement point.
Ready to Order Your Custom Suit?
Accurate measurements are the foundation of a perfectly fitting bespoke suit — and with this guide, you have everything you need to take them confidently at home. Thousands of our international customers have used exactly this process to receive garments that fit as well as anything they have ever worn.
If you have any questions at any stage of the process, our team is always available by email. We are here to make bespoke tailoring accessible to everyone — wherever in the world you are.
📍 560 Karon, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket 83100
📧 info@thealexfashionhouse.com
🛒 Shop Our Full Collection
📏 Illustrated Measurement Guide
Free shipping on all orders over ฿3,000.
-
How to Measure Yourself for a Custom Suit at Home: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide
One of the most common questions we receive at The Alex Fashion House from customers around the world is this: “I am not in Phuket — can I still order a bespoke suit?” The answer is yes — absolutely. We ship custom garments to customers in the UK, Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, the United States, the…