The size you wear in jeans, dresses, or underwear can guide you, but it doesn't replace your body measurements. In Colombian shapewear, two brands might assign different letters to the same waist or hip size. Measuring yourself correctly is the most reliable way to start.
Brief answer: measure your waist at its natural point, your hips at the widest part, and, when required by the design, your torso and thigh. Keep the tape parallel to the floor, resting on your body without squeezing. Then compare the centimeters or inches with the specific brand and garment type's size chart.
What you need before measuring yourself
Use a flexible tailor's measuring tape. If you only have a string, you can wrap it around your body and then measure it against a ruler, though a flexible tape reduces errors.
To get a more consistent result:
- Wear underwear or a very thin layer of clothing.
- Stand with your weight evenly distributed between both feet.
- Breathe naturally, without sucking in your abdomen.
- Avoid measuring immediately after a heavy meal if you tend to feel bloated.
- Ask for help if you find it difficult to keep the tape horizontal at your back.
- Jot down each result in centimeters and, if needed, convert it to inches later.
Do not round off several centimeters to fit into a size. Record the actual number.
How to measure your waist
The natural waist is usually between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips. A simple way to locate it is to gently bend to one side and observe where the crease forms.
Wrap the tape around that area. Check in a mirror that it's parallel to the floor. It should touch your body but not dig into your skin. Breathe normally and take the measurement at the end of a calm exhale, without contracting your abdomen.
The waistband of your pants doesn't always coincide with your anatomical waist. Therefore, it's advisable to follow the point indicated by the brand's chart when its instructions are more specific.
How to measure your hips
Place the tape around the widest part of your hips and buttocks. Look at your profile and back to confirm that it hasn't tilted upwards or downwards.
Keep your feet together or in the position indicated by the brand. The tape should pass continuously, without twisting. If the measurement changes when you repeat it, take a third measurement and check the alignment.
The hips are especially important for bodysuits, shorts, and full-leg shapewear. Choosing based only on waist size can leave the lower part too tight or too loose.
When to measure your torso
Torso length helps anticipate whether a garment might be too high, too low, or if the straps will be too tight. Not all charts include it, but it's useful for comparing bodysuits, integrated bust pieces, and full-body shapewear.
A common measurement goes from the high point of the shoulder, across the front of the torso, and down to the crotch. Another wraps around the entire body from the shoulder to the crotch and back up the back. Since methods vary, always follow the brand's diagram.
When to measure thigh, bust, or underbust
Measure your thigh if the shapewear has tight legs and the chart provides that data. Wrap around the widest part without compressing it.
For garments with an integrated bra, bust and underbust measurements may be necessary. Shapewear can match in waist and hip, but not in cup or band size. If the model doesn't offer enough information, ask for advice before buying.
Centimeters and inches: avoid a simple mistake
One inch is equal to 2.54 centimeters. Do not enter a centimeter figure into a field configured for inches, or vice versa. For example, 80 cm is not 80 inches.
The Linda CURVES size guide allows working with different units and directs to brand-specific charts. Before publishing this article, it will be re-checked that the calculator and visible charts correspond to New LOOK.
What to do if your waist and hips fall into different sizes
Do not automatically choose the smaller size. First, check which area the model structures and if the brand offers a recommendation for intermediate measurements.
For a garment that covers the hips and buttocks, ignoring the widest measurement can prevent the shapewear from pulling up correctly or cause closures to strain. For a waist cincher, the waist and torso length usually carry more weight than the hips.
When proportions don't match a single row in the chart:
- Confirm your measurements a second time.
- Check the model's specific chart, not a generic chart found online.
- Check if there is a different capacity or silhouette line within the brand.
- Request advice with your actual figures and the product link.
Common measuring mistakes
Tightening the tape
The tape should not simulate the compression of shapewear. If it leaves a deep mark, the measurement will be smaller than your actual circumference.
Measuring over jeans
Seams, pockets, and waistbands add irregular bulk. Wear a thin layer.
Copying a previous size
Your body and size charts can change. Remeasure before a new purchase, especially if you change brands or garment types.
Using another brand's size
An M doesn't represent the same range across all brands. The letter is the result of the chart, not the initial measurement.
Thinking a smaller size gives a better result
The correct size should allow the design to fit as intended. Forcing a smaller size can create creases, displacement, and uncomfortable pressure.
Your checklist before buying
Have your waist, hip, garment type, and unit of measurement handy. Add torso, thigh, or bust if the design requires them. Compare everything with the current chart and keep your figures to ask for advice.
At Linda CURVES, we prefer an explained recommendation over a guessed letter. If your measurements fall between sizes or in different rows, share the data and the product you are considering.
Frequently asked questions
Should I measure my abdomen or my waist?
Use the point defined by the chart. If it only asks for the waist, measure your natural waist; do not substitute this data for your lower abdomen.
Is it better to measure in the morning?
The time of day matters less than using a consistent technique. Avoid contracting your abdomen and repeat the measurement if you notice a large difference.
Can I choose my size based on my weight and height?
Weight and height do not describe how your waist and hips are distributed. Use them only as secondary data when a brand requests them; direct measurements are more informative.
Editorial sources
- Linda CURVES local charts and calculator, verified on New LOOK on August 26, 2026.
- MariaE USA size guide, applicable only to MariaE.
- Official charts for each brand, to be re-read before publication.
