How to Measure Yourself Correctly for a Perfect Thobe Fit
Measuring yourself accurately for a thobe is essential to ensure it fits comfortably, looks polished, and respects its design principles. Here’s a quick guide:
- Thobe Length: Measure from your shoulder to just above your ankle. This ensures the garment aligns with Islamic guidelines and avoids dragging.
- Chest Width: Wrap a flexible tape around the widest part of your chest, keeping it level and snug (but not tight).
- Shoulder Width: Measure across your back from one shoulder bone to the other.
- Sleeve Length: Start at the top of your shoulder and measure down to your wrist, adding a small allowance for ease.
- Neck Circumference: Wrap the tape around your neck at the base, leaving slight room for comfort.
Use a soft tailor’s tape, wear lightweight clothing, and stand upright for precise results. Double-check each measurement, and if in doubt, choose a slightly larger size for comfort. Al-Badr Clothing offers affordable thobes (£19.99–£32.99) in a range of sizes to suit various body types. Matching your measurements to their size chart ensures a great fit every time.
Tools You Need for Taking Measurements
Getting the right measurements for your thobe is all about having the right tools on hand. The good news? You probably already have everything you need at home - no fancy equipment required.
Essential Measurement Tools
The most important item you'll need is a flexible tailor's measuring tape. Unlike the stiff metal ones used for DIY projects, a fabric tape is designed to curve around your body, giving precise measurements for areas like your chest, shoulders, and neck. Alongside this, keep a notepad and pen handy to jot down your measurements - trusting your memory can lead to errors.
If possible, enlist the help of another person. This makes a big difference, especially for trickier areas like your back, shoulders, and overall length. A helper can ensure the tape stays straight and level. If you’re measuring solo, a full-length mirror is a must to check that the tape remains parallel to the floor.
What you wear during the process also matters. Stick to light and fitted clothing, like an undershirt or base layer. Avoid bulky jumpers or thick shirts, as they can add unnecessary centimetres, leading to a thobe that feels too loose.
Once you’ve gathered your tools, you’ll be ready to measure each part of your body with accuracy.
Metric Units for UK Sizing
To ensure precision and alignment with UK sizing standards, take your measurements in centimetres. While traditional thobe lengths are often listed in inches (like 52, 54, or 56), using centimetres for your body measurements ensures greater accuracy - particularly for width and circumference. Most professional size charts rely on metric units, so sticking to centimetres helps you avoid conversion mistakes and find the perfect fit more easily.
How to Measure Each Body Area
5 Essential Body Measurements for Perfect Thobe Fit
With your tools in hand, you're ready to start taking measurements. Each body area needs a slightly different technique, but once you know where to position the tape and how to ensure accuracy, the process becomes simple. Follow these steps to get precise measurements tailored to your thobe.
How to Measure Thobe Length
Start by placing the tape at the point where your shoulder meets your collarbone and measure straight down to your ankle bone, or wherever you want the thobe to end. Stand tall against a flat wall and look straight ahead - looking down can skew the measurement by pulling the tape shorter.
Most people prefer the thobe length to stop at the top of the ankle. As mentioned in Sunaan:
"The Sunnah is to not let the thobe go below the ankle. Most people choose a length that ends at the top of the ankle."
Make sure to note the measurement in centimetres.
How to Measure Chest Width
Wrap the tape around the widest part of your chest, just below your armpits. Ensure the tape stays level and parallel to the floor. Keep your arms relaxed at your sides. The tape should fit snugly but not tightly - a good rule of thumb is to slide one finger under the tape for comfort. Use a mirror to check that the tape is evenly positioned. If you're unsure, measure twice and take the average.
How to Measure Shoulder Width and Sleeve Length
To measure shoulder width, stretch the tape across your back from one shoulder bone to the other. Having someone assist you can make this more accurate. Stand straight with relaxed shoulders, as tensing or hunching can throw off the measurement.
For sleeve length, start at the top of your shoulder bone and measure down to the wrist. Add an extra 2.5 cm for a more traditional drape. Keep your arms naturally at your sides while measuring to avoid inaccuracies.
How to Use Al-Badr Clothing's Size Chart
Reading the Size Chart
Al-Badr Clothing uses a straightforward sizing system that combines a length number (in inches) with a chest width letter (S–XXL). The number, such as 52, 54, or 56, reflects the thobe's length in inches, measured from your shoulder to your ankle. The letter represents the chest width of the garment.
To find the right size, match your shoulder-to-ankle measurement with the corresponding length number. For example, if your shoulder-to-ankle measurement is 142 cm (56 inches) and your chest circumference is roughly 107 cm (42 inches), your size would be 56M.
If your measurements fall between two sizes, it's best to go for the larger option. This ensures the garment fits comfortably, preserving the traditional drape and allowing for easy movement.
Available Sizes and Prices
Al-Badr Clothing offers thobes priced between £19.99 and £32.99, combining quality and affordability. The size range is designed to accommodate various body types, with lengths starting at 52 inches (ideal for individuals around 5'3"–5'5") and going up to 60 inches or more for taller customers over 6'2". Chest sizes range from Small (36–40 inches) to XXL (53–56 inches), ensuring options for both slimmer and broader builds.
If you have a broader chest or shoulders, consider choosing a larger width size if your measurement is near the lower limit to avoid tightness. Similarly, if you have longer arms, opting for a slightly longer sleeve length can help maintain the traditional drape and comfort.
Follow these guidelines to find your perfect thobe size and enjoy the ideal fit every time!
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Common Measurement Mistakes to Avoid
Typical Measurement Errors
Getting accurate measurements is crucial for a well-fitted thobe, but a few common mistakes can throw off your results. For starters, avoid measuring over heavy clothing. It might seem harmless, but it adds extra bulk and skews your dimensions. As Sunaan puts it:
"Most fitting issues come from... measuring over thick clothing [and] pulling the tape too tight".
Another mistake? Using the wrong tape tension. Pulling the tape too tight compresses your body, leading to a restrictive fit, while letting it sag, twist, or hang loosely inflates the numbers. Posture is another key factor - hunching, bending, or looking down while measuring can distort the results, as these positions don’t reflect your natural, relaxed stance.
Some people also rely on old garments for reference, thinking it’s an easy shortcut. But as Sunaan points out:
"Existing thobes often shrink, stretch, or have incorrect proportions".
Lastly, trying to measure yourself without help, especially for areas like shoulder width or back length, can lead to misaligned tape placement and incorrect figures. Avoiding these pitfalls will go a long way in ensuring your thobe fits perfectly.
Tips for Getting Accurate Measurements
Start with the basics: wear thin clothing or a light undershirt to get a precise reading of your body size. When measuring areas like the neck and chest, use the "one-finger rule" - place one or two fingers between the tape and your body. This adds just enough room for comfort and ensures the garment drapes naturally.
Posture matters too. Stand upright with a relaxed stance, keeping your gaze straight ahead. Avoid tensing your muscles and breathe normally throughout the process. For tricky measurements like shoulders and back length, ask someone to help. This ensures the tape stays straight and level, preventing misalignment.
Double-check your work by repeating each measurement and averaging the results. When measuring circumferences, make sure the tape is parallel to the floor and not twisted or sagging. If your numbers fall between two sizes, consider this advice from Riwaya:
"A slightly larger thobe can still look elegant. Too small, won't be comfortable".
Still unsure? Al-Badr Clothing’s customer service team is there to help. Reaching out for guidance can save you time and ensure your thobe fits just the way you want it.
Conclusion
Key Takeaways
Ditch the guesswork that comes from relying on old or altered garments. Instead, grab a flexible tailor's tape and focus on the five critical areas: thobe length (shoulder to ankle), chest width, shoulder width, sleeve length, and neck circumference. When measuring the neck and chest, remember to leave a little room - use the one- or two-finger rule to ensure a natural drape.
Stand upright in lightweight clothing, and measure each area twice for accuracy. Avoid pulling the tape too tight or leaving it too loose. If your measurements fall between sizes on Al-Badr Clothing's size chart, it's best to choose the larger size for a comfortable and modest fit.
Next Steps
Once you've noted your measurements, compare them to Al-Badr Clothing's size chart to find your ideal fit. With thobes priced between £19.99 and £32.99, there's something to suit every preference - whether you're after a sharp, modern look or a more traditional style. Accurate measurements mean your thobe will not only look dignified but also feel just right.
Still unsure about your measurements? Al-Badr Clothing's team is ready to help you double-check before you place your order. With the perfect fit, your thobe will maintain its graceful lines while offering the modesty and comfort you need.
FAQs
How can I ensure the thobe length meets modesty requirements?
To make sure your thobe meets modesty standards, measure from the top of your shoulder to just above your ankles. This ensures the thobe falls at or slightly above the ankle, which is traditionally considered appropriate. For the best results, stand upright and, if you can, ask someone to help with the measurement.
What should I do if my measurements fall between two sizes on the size chart?
When your measurements sit between two sizes, it’s generally a good idea to go for the larger option. This gives you a bit more room for comfort and allows for small adjustments if necessary. Alternatively, you can submit your exact measurements when placing your order, so the tailor can adjust the thobe to fit your proportions precisely.
To get the best fit, double-check your measurements and refer closely to the size guide provided. This helps reduce the chances of any mismatches.
Why should I use a flexible tailor’s tape for taking measurements?
Using a soft, flexible tailor’s tape is key when taking measurements, as it conforms to the natural contours of your body. This ensures accurate and comfortable readings. Unlike stiff measuring tools, it eliminates mistakes caused by gaps or overstretching, helping to achieve a Thobe that fits perfectly to your shape. For the most accurate results, keep the tape snug against your body, but avoid pulling it too tight.