I’m not sure exactly where this should go, but I figure relationships fall into “leisure”.
Anyhow, I’ve found a young woman willing to take leave of her senses and become involved with a mathematician. Yay for me. Now, I find myself considering buying surprise presents. Some of these may well be clothing, which of course requires measurements to get the right size.
So, short of having a RealDoll precision-crafted to replicate this young woman, what list of measurements should I take so I can be reasonably certain to be able to pick the right size of anything I might want to buy? Further, if there are any tricky bits about getting the measurement right (breathe in, breathe out, hold her arm just so…), please include that.
Seriously, though:
Shoe size. From experience, women love it when men buy them shoes. If she’s into them, that is.
Dress/pants/skirt size (Women go more by this than an actual measurement. Whereas a man might have a 32x32 pant size, a woman goes by sizes such as 8, 10, 12, etc.) The size a woman wears on top also might not correspond with the size she wears on the bottom. Especially if she’s well-endowed on top or has some, shall we say, “junk in the trunk.” So you should know what size she prefers to wear on top too. I, for instance, wear a size larger in tops than I do in bottoms.
Well, pants would be the only thing really hard to buy for someone else, and I think it would be weird if a boyfriend bought me pants. So I wouldn’t worry about that.
Wait wait wait - on re-reading your post, it seems you will actually be getting out the sewing tape and measuring bust-hips-waist, etc., am I reading this correctly?
I’m sure that, as a mathematician, you’re all about the numbers. But as a clothes-shopper, you don’t need them. And, as a Sensitive and Thoughtful Boyfriend, don’t even think about it.
I’d also recommend shying away from pants. They’re trickier to fit on women than men, both because we don’t go by measurement numbers, and because it’s easier to fit a rectangle than an hourglass - the curves in women’s pants mean that we always have to try them on first.
Most, but not all tops are sized S/M/L/XL, or they’re sized by dress size. Dresses are sized by numbers which bear no relation to any number you can measure, and are wildly inconsistent between different manufacturers, and even between different garments made by the same manufacturer. The trick is to err smaller than she actually is, so she’s flattered you think she’s so slim.
The best way to get her shirt or dress size (as well as her bra size, which you’ll need for most lingerie purchases) is to offer to give her a backrub. Then, when she removes her top, be a gentleman, pick it up and fold it while you surreptitiously look at the tag. Same for the bra. Note that you’ll need two pieces of information for the bra - the band number (which is the measurement under her breasts plus 5, except when it isn’t) and her cup size, which is made up at random (no, it isn’t. But it may as well be.) So it’ll say something like “34B”
Ring size is tricky. Your best bet is to compare her fingers to yours and err big (most rings can be sized down, but sizing up is harder). When you hold her hand, is her finger about as big as your pinky? A little smaller? A lot smaller? If in doubt, ask the jeweler, and he’ll help you pick something that can be adjusted later. They deal with that all the time.
You could play it safe the first time and buy her a set of chaps. They tie behind the legs and have an adjustable belt so length is the only issue and for that they’ve just gotta protect her shins from heavy brush. Really, the only issue is what color of leather and how long of fringe.
Plus, there’s a real good chance she doesn’t have any yet.
Actually, I was just looking for an excuse to say I love your username. Mathochist… heh.
Yes. When I next go down to see her I’ll bring my sewing tape and take whatever catalogue of measurements I need, so that in the future I’ll be able to refer to them without spoiling the surprise.
Bra size (cup and band), panty type and size, waist size, hips (at widest point), inseam and foot/ring size would all be useful. (Also, noting what her shoulders are like. I have broad shoulders, and won’t wear shoulderpads. I can’t wear some things because the shoulders are wrong for me.) Noting the sizes on her clothing labels might not help too much because one company’s size 6 is another’s size 8. If you can get a brand she has a lot of, and the size in that, then go get more from that brand this would be ideal if you are set on getting clothing for her to present as a gift. Otherwise, why not go out shopping, and if you see her admiring something ask her to “model” it for you, then buy it as a treat? (If it’s something like a scarf or jewelry you can make a mental note and come back later to get it for her as a surprise.) Not quite as methodical, but still sweet.
Well, I don’t really have to be so surreptitious. I can be explicit about taking the measurements and then have those on hand for future reference.
I know that women’s sizing is a lot less deterministic than men’s sizing, but what I’m hoping is that I can get a list of numbers I can take to a shop or other merchant and say, “I like that article of clothing and would like to purchase one for my girlfriend. Given this list of measurements, what size should I purchase?”
This would have been a lot easier if I’d asked about it a couple years ago when I was dating a costume designer…
Adding, the inseam measurement will come in handy indirectly. You need to know if the skirt or dress is too long/too short, and the clerk can direct you to pants with the cut for that leg length. I’ve had problems in the past with this, because although have long legs, I’m short. Some of the dresses that were the right length swallowed me up otherwise, they were made for Amazons I’m sure. Take note of her height too.
Okay, so what you’re telling us is that you want to feel her up with a measuring tape? Fine. Whatever turns you math guys on.
If you want to measure her properly, I think that you’re supposed to have her stand legs slightly apart, and put her arms straight out. That’s for measuring her waist and bust. You should measure her bust both directly below and around her breasts. In addition to having her waist measurements, you will also want her hip measurements. I don’t think there’s any trick to getting that, in particular. Many companies will give you a size chart on their website, so if her waist is so many inches, this is what size she’ll need, and if her bust is this many inches, she’ll need this size. Oh, and inseam is measured from the crotch to the hemline of the pants, since that has been mentioned as a measurement you’ll need as well.
Well, if there’s no need to be surreptitious, just ask her her sizes. The actual measurements, unless you’re having something custom made, will not be useful in most stores (lingerie excepted).
That’s right, I suppose they might be useful for shopping online or out of catalogues.
OK, then.
Bust should be taken with the arms at the sides, not straight out.
Waist should be taken while standing comfortably erect - not sucking in. Likewise, arms down at your sides. (After you’ve raised them to get the tape around your waist, of course!)
Hip should be measured around the largest part of the lower torso or the top of the legs - for some women, that’s higher than others. Arms at the sides.
Shoulder-to-wrist is the only odd one, that one’s taken with the arm held at shoulder level, but the elbow at a ninety degree angle. But’s it’s harly ever called for outside of custom work.
Nape-to-waist, nape-to-knee and nape-to-floor all refer to the nape of the neck, and you start measuring at the little bony knob just above the back where a t-shirt neckhole rests. Again, not used outside of custom work.
Hat size is measured just above the eyebrows, making sure the tape is parallel to the floor.
I at least know enough to know that sizes of women’s clothes are maddeningly nonuniform. Besides, playing around with the measuring tape will likely be more fun than just asking her.
If you can get a brand she has a lot of, and the size in that, then go get more from that brand this would be ideal if you are set on getting clothing for her to present as a gift. Otherwise, why not go out shopping, and if you see her admiring something ask her to “model” it for you, then buy it as a treat? (If it’s something like a scarf or jewelry you can make a mental note and come back later to get it for her as a surprise.) Not quite as methodical, but still sweet.
