Where Is My Waistline?

Where is my waistline?

Just where is it?

Often mistaken ...get it right.

The proper waistline is vital for a perfect fit,  especially when ordering online.

Use a 60" relatively new soft cloth measuring tape. When you take your measurement, remember -- don't inhale! MAKE SURE THE TAPE STAYS LEVEL or your reading won't be accurate
Illustration

Identify your natural waist

While standing upright, bend over to your front or side and make a note where your body creases. This is your natural waist. It's the narrowest part of your torso, generally located between your rib cage and belly button. If you will take multiple measurements, it might be handy to tie a string around your waistline so you don't have to keep finding it.

What if you don't have a cloth tape? Use a string and a yardstick. Wrap the string around you, keep your thumb where it comes together, and stretch it along the yardstick.
yard-stick-clipart-16
What if you don't have a string and yardstick? Then you can wrap dollar bills around your waist and multiply by 6.14 inches (16.6 cm). Dollar bills are 6.14 inches long and 2.61 inches tall. Just tape them together, wrap them around your waist, and multiply the number of bills by 6.14. If you wind up with an overlap, fold the dollar in half or thirds. A dollar measures 3.124 inches folded in half, and 1.25 inches folded in thirds.
What if you don't have any dollars? Try printer paper. Printer paper measures 8.5 by 11 inches. Just tape the edges together to form a circle around your waist, then measure the number of papers by either 8.5 or 11, depending if you had used the short or long side. If the last piece is too long, fold it in half or into thirds. Half is 4.25 inches, and a third is 2.83 inches. NOTE: Just make sure you are using standard printer paper.

The Long and Short of it...

....Your clothes can change your waistline.

Use your clothes to balance your body.

Scales of Justice
It's about balance

Maintaining balance is important to flattering your figure.  If you are short-waisted, you’ll be out of balance with a top half that appears smaller than your bottom half.    If you are long-waisted, you legs will appear too short or stocky.  The idea is simple:  A short waist should look longer and a long wast should look shorter!

Here's what we mean...

Just look at the difference

Here is Hoda Kotb of NBC's Today show. Look at the change by just tucking in her sweater or leaving it out -- short becomes long. This is what we try to accomplish with formal wear, too. Sometimes the names are different and hard to remember, but keep Hoda's sweater in mind and the hard becomes easy.

You can measure this way..
Measure from your underarm to your natural waist.  Then measure your waist to your hip bone.  If the measurements are about the same, you're evenly proportioned.  If the measurement is smaller, then you are short waisted,  If the second measurement is smaller, then you are long waisted
Or you can measure this way..
Another way to tell if you're short or long waisted is to measure from the top of your head to your crotch. Then measure from your crotch to the floor. Just remember to stand barefoot and flat footed. If the first measurement is shorter, your are short waisted. If the second measurement is shorter, then you are long waisted.
Or you could try it the easy way way..
Place your hands at the base of your bust. Fit them snugly but do not push upwards. So, how many hand's distances are there between the top of your hand and your waist?
---- Less than two hands width = Short waist
---- Two hands width = Balanced waist
---- More than two hands width = Long waist
These measurements are not as accurate as the methods above, but they are a good guide. One thing to remember is that the larger your bust, or the lower it sits, the shorter your waist will be.
Empire Waist

Empire Waist -- The All Shapes Dress

Consider the always versatile Empire Waist dress. Empire Waists are the go-to style tool because they visibly lower the short waist, or elongate the legs of the long waist. In this dress everybody wins! This style works for any age and any body type, too. If you just don't know what to do, start looking here.

Jenifer Lopez ---------------- Rachel Zoe

And if I want something different?

Here are some tips

Long

Short

A line dress

The A-Line

For the long waisted woman, look at the A-line skirt. It sits above the waist and flows out from it, elonging the legs.

3-9

The Illusion Deep V

For the short waisted woman, think about the Deep-V dress. It focuses the eye upwars and away from your waist. The advantage of the illusion V is that it uses a mesh to hold the V in place.

Bolero jacket

The Bolero Jacket

The long waisted woman should consider jackets that end higher up on the torso, like a shrug or a bolero. Just make sure it is no longer than the hip bone.

Print Top

The Patterned Top

The short waisted woman should find a top with a large or bold, embellished, or contrasting pattern to keep the eye moving up. Although rare in formal wear, vertical or diagonal stripes are best.

The Wide Belt

Try a wide belt. Long waisted women have a lot of room between their ribs and waist, so if that's you, you could fill that space with a belt.

Avoid The Wide Belt

It's best for short waisted women to avoid dresses with a wide belt or waistband. If you find a dress with a belt, chooses a narrow one in the same color to minimize attention to the waist area.

Find Your Dress Here

Follow Us