How to Measure Yourself for a Custom Cosplay Costume
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Ordering a custom cosplay costume is exciting — but there’s one step that can make a huge difference in how your finished costume looks and feels: taking accurate measurements.
Whether you're commissioning an elaborate armor-inspired outfit, a fitted dress, a uniform, or your dream character's signature costume, good measurements give your costume maker the best starting point for creating your piece.
Never measured yourself for a cosplay costume before? Don't worry! This guide will walk you through the basics.
Why Are Accurate Measurements So Important?
Cosplay costumes can be much more complicated than everyday clothing.
A character design might include fitted layers, unusual proportions, structured pieces, belts, armor, gloves, or other details that need to sit in very specific places.
Even a small difference in measurement can affect how those pieces fit together.
Taking a few extra minutes to measure carefully can help your custom cosplay look and feel much closer to what you imagined.
Before You Start: What You'll Need
Thankfully, you don't need anything complicated.
You'll want:
• A soft measuring tape
• A mirror
• Form-fitting clothing
• Your measurement requirements or size chart
• A friend to help, if possible
A flexible fabric measuring tape works best because it can comfortably wrap around your body.
Avoid using a metal construction tape measure — cosplay crafting may involve power tools sometimes, but this isn't one of those times.
What Should You Wear While Measuring?
For the most accurate results, wear thin, fitted clothing or the undergarments you expect to wear underneath your costume.
Bulky sweaters, jackets, and loose clothing can add extra inches or centimeters and make your measurements less accurate.
Stand naturally while measuring, too. You don't need to suck in your stomach, puff out your chest, or stand unusually straight.
We want your real measurements so your costume can be comfortable when you're actually wearing it.
1. Measuring Your Bust
Wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your chest.
Keep the tape level around your body and comfortably fitted without pulling it too tight.
You should be able to breathe normally while taking the measurement.
Tip: Check yourself from the side in a mirror to make sure the measuring tape hasn't slipped upward or downward across your back.
2. Measuring Your Waist
Find your natural waistline, typically the narrowest area of your torso.
Wrap the measuring tape around your waist without pulling it tight.
Try not to suck in your stomach while measuring! You want the costume to fit comfortably while you're walking around a convention, posing for photos, and — very importantly — eating convention snacks.
3. Measuring Your Hips
Stand naturally with your feet together and wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your hips and seat.
Make sure the tape stays level all the way around your body.
This measurement can be especially important for fitted pants, skirts, dresses, bodysuits, and other close-fitting costume pieces.
4. Height
Stand straight without shoes and measure from the top of your head down to the floor.
Your overall height helps provide additional context for your proportions and the overall length of certain costume pieces.
For the most accurate result, having another person take this measurement is much easier than trying to do it yourself.
5. Shoulder Width
Measure across your back from one shoulder point to the other.
Try to keep your shoulders relaxed and in their natural position.
Shoulder measurements can be especially important for structured jackets, uniforms, coats, armor-inspired pieces, and costumes with defined shoulder details.
6. Arm Length
Relax your arm naturally and measure from your shoulder down toward your wrist.
Depending on the costume, additional arm measurements may also be requested for fitted sleeves, gloves, gauntlets, or armor pieces.
7. Inseam
For pants or other fitted lower-body pieces, you may need your inseam.
Measure from the upper inside of your leg down to your desired pant length.
This is another measurement that's much easier to take with someone's help.
For the measurement guide, I’d make the numbering consistent and use “Chest/Bust” so it works for a wider range of customers:
8. Chest / Bust
Wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your chest or bust, keeping the tape level across your back.
Keep the tape comfortably fitted against your body without pulling it too tight. Stand naturally and breathe normally while measuring.
Tip: Check in a mirror or ask someone to help make sure the tape stays straight all the way around.
9. Waist
Measure around your natural waistline, usually the narrowest part of your torso.
Keep the measuring tape snug but comfortable, and avoid sucking in your stomach while measuring. We want your natural measurement so your cosplay stays comfortable throughout the day.
Tip: If you're unsure where your natural waist is, gently bend to one side. The point where your body naturally creases is usually your waistline.
10. Hips
Stand naturally with your feet together and measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat.
Make sure the measuring tape stays level around your entire body and isn't pulled too tightly.
Tip: Your hip measurement is taken at the widest point, which may be lower than where you normally wear your pants.
11. Foot Length
Place your foot flat on a piece of paper while standing naturally. Measure from the very back of your heel to the tip of your longest toe.
For the most accurate measurement, measure both feet and use the larger measurement if there is a slight difference.
Tip: If the shoes will be worn with thick socks or special insoles, keep that in mind when taking your measurements.
12. Foot Width
While standing with your full weight on your foot, measure across the widest part of your foot, usually around the ball of the foot.
Measure both feet and use the wider measurement if they are slightly different.
Important: Always Include Your Measurement Unit!
When submitting your measurements, always tell us whether they are in centimeters (cm) or inches (in).
This is extremely important. A number without a unit can easily be misunderstood and may result in incorrect sizing for your custom costume or shoes.
For example:
✓ Foot Length: 24.5 cm
✓ Waist: 28 in
✗ Foot Length: 24.5
✗ Waist: 28
Before submitting your measurements, double-check every number and make sure the unit is clearly included.
When in doubt: measure twice, check the unit, then submit!
Always Check the Cakycos Size Chart
Before ordering, compare your measurements with the Cakycos Size Chart.
Our size guide includes bust, waist, and hip measurements in both inches and centimeters to help you find the closest available size.
Don't automatically choose the size you normally wear in everyday clothing. Cosplay sizing can differ from the clothing brands you're used to, so always choose based on your actual measurements.
What If I'm Between Two Sizes?
Don't panic — bodies don't always fit neatly into a size chart!
For example, your bust might correspond to one size while your hips correspond to another.
If you're unsure which size to select, contact Cakycos before ordering. Share your measurements and the costume you're interested in so we can help you determine the best option.
For custom-made projects, providing your actual measurements is especially important.
Measure Twice, Submit Once
Before sending your measurements, take them one more time.
Seriously!
Double-checking takes only a few minutes and can catch surprisingly simple mistakes.
Pay particular attention to:
• Bust
• Waist
• Hips
• Height
• Shoulder width
• Any character-specific measurements requested for your costume
And don't forget to check whether you're recording everything in inches or centimeters.
Writing “72” without a unit can mean two very different costumes. 😅
Ask Someone to Help When Possible
We know it's tempting to measure everything yourself, but some measurements are much more accurate when another person helps.
This is especially true for your shoulders, back, height, arm length, and other measurements where you might accidentally change your posture while trying to read the tape.
If possible, grab a friend, family member, or fellow cosplayer and turn it into part of your cosplay prep!
What If My Character Has an Unusual Costume?
That's where custom commissions become especially useful.
Some character designs simply can't be captured with bust, waist, and hip measurements alone.
Armor, bodysuits, oversized coats, unusual silhouettes, fitted boots, gloves, corset-style pieces, and elaborate accessories may require additional measurements.
If your Cakycos commission needs something beyond the standard measurements, we'll let you know what information is needed for your particular project.
Ready to Create Your Custom Cosplay?
Accurate measurements are one of the first steps toward turning your favorite character into a costume made for you.
Take your time, measure carefully, double-check your numbers, and don't hesitate to reach out if you're unsure about your sizing.
Once you've got your measurements ready, the fun part begins — bringing your character to life.
Your character. Your measurements. Your dream cosplay.