How to Measure Yourself for a Polo Shirt
Two reliable ways to find your size with a tape measure: measure your body, or measure a polo that already fits — and how to read a size chart correctly.
Photo: Myriams-Fotos, via Wikimedia Commons · CC0 1.0 (public domain dedication)
In short: you need a soft tape measure and two or three numbers — your chest, and ideally the chest width and length of a polo you already like. Compare those with the seller's size chart rather than relying on the letter on the label, because "M" is not the same everywhere.
What you need
- A soft (tailor's) tape measure. A piece of string and a ruler will do if you do not have one.
- A polo or T-shirt that fits you well.
- A flat surface, and something to write on.
Method 1: measure your body
- Chest. Wearing a thin layer, wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms and across your shoulder blades. Keep the tape level all the way round and snug but not tight — you should be able to slide a finger underneath. Breathe normally and read the number.
- Waist (optional). Measure around your natural waist, roughly at the level of your navel. This helps if you prefer a closer or looser fit through the body.
- Shoulder width (optional). Measure straight across your upper back from the edge of one shoulder bone to the other. It is much easier with someone helping.
Measure twice. If the two readings differ, take a third.
Method 2: measure a polo that fits
This is often the more useful method, because it captures how you like your clothes to fit. Lay the garment flat, front side up, and smooth it out without stretching it.
- Chest width. Measure straight across from armpit seam to armpit seam. Double it to get the garment's chest measurement.
- Length. Measure from the highest point of the shoulder, next to the collar, straight down to the hem.
- Shoulder width. Measure across the back from shoulder seam to shoulder seam.
- Sleeve length. Measure from the shoulder seam to the end of the sleeve.
Body measurements and garment measurements are not the same
A garment is always larger than the body inside it; the difference is the room that lets you move. So check which kind of measurement a size chart shows. If the chart lists body measurements, compare it with Method 1. If it lists garment measurements, compare it with Method 2. Mixing the two is the most common reason for ordering the wrong size.
Common mistakes
- Pulling the tape tight, which gives a smaller number than the size you actually need.
- Measuring over a thick jumper or jacket.
- Letting the tape slip down at the back.
- Stretching the garment while measuring it flat.
- Assuming your size in one brand is your size in another.
Sending us your measurements
Our size chart for the Mountain Explora logo polo is not published on the website yet. Send us your chest measurement and, if you can, the chest width and length of a polo you like, through the contact page or on WhatsApp, and we will tell you which size we would suggest. For what a good fit looks like once it is on, see how a polo shirt should fit.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly do I measure my chest?
Around the fullest part, under the arms and across the shoulder blades, with the tape level.
Should I measure in centimetres or inches?
Either — just tell us which you used. One inch is 2.54 centimetres.
Should I add anything to my chest measurement?
Not if the size chart shows body measurements; the room to move is already built into the garment. Only compare like with like.
Can I measure myself without help?
Yes, for the chest and waist. Use a mirror to check that the tape is level. Shoulder width is easier to take from a garment that fits.