How To Measure Over Arm

How to Measure Your Overarm: A Comprehensive Guide

Knowing your overarm measurement is crucial for various reasons, from tailoring clothes to understanding your body proportions. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of accurately measuring your overarm, ensuring you get precise results every time.

What is Overarm Measurement?

The overarm measurement refers to the length of your arm from your shoulder to your wrist, measured over the top of your arm. This differs from other arm measurements like sleeve length which are taken along the inner arm. This measurement is especially important for garments like jackets, coats, and certain types of shirts where the armhole and sleeve length are critical for a proper fit.

Tools You'll Need:

• A flexible tape measure: A soft tape measure is essential to ensure accuracy and comfort. Avoid using rigid measuring tools.
• A mirror (optional but helpful): A mirror can aid in ensuring your posture is correct and your arm is positioned properly.
• A friend (optional): Having a friend assist you can make the measuring process easier and more accurate.

Step-by-Step Guide to Measuring Your Overarm:

1. Stand Tall and Relaxed: Maintain good posture. Your shoulders should be relaxed and your arm should hang naturally at your side.

2. Find Your Shoulder Point: Identify the bony point at the outermost part of your shoulder. This is your acromion process. You should be able to feel it easily.

3. Position the Tape Measure: Place the zero end of the tape measure on the shoulder point you've identified.

4. Extend Your Arm: Extend your arm straight down, keeping it relaxed, but not tense.

5. Measure to Your Wrist: Extend the tape measure down your arm, over the top, to your wrist. The measurement should be taken at the bone on the outside of your wrist.

6. Record Your Measurement: Once the tape measure reaches your wrist, note the measurement. Record it in inches or centimeters, whichever you prefer. Repeat the process on the other arm, as measurements may slightly differ.

Tips for Accurate Measurements:

• Keep the tape measure snug but not tight: The tape measure should fit comfortably against your skin, without pulling or restricting your movement.
• Keep your arm straight but relaxed: Avoid straining or forcing your arm into an unnatural position.
• Measure multiple times: To ensure accuracy, measure your overarm several times and take the average of your readings.
• Consider clothing: If you're measuring for a specific garment, consider whether you'll be wearing a layer of clothing underneath. You may want to include the thickness of that garment in your measurement.

Using Your Overarm Measurement:

Once you've accurately measured your overarm, you can use this information in several ways:

• Clothing Shopping: Use your measurement as a guide when purchasing clothing online or in a store to ensure a proper fit.
• Custom Clothing: Provide your overarm measurement to a tailor or seamstress for custom-made garments.
• Understanding Body Proportions: Compare your overarm measurement to other body measurements to gain a better understanding of your body proportions.

By following these steps, you can accurately measure your overarm and ensure a better fit with your clothing. Remember, practice makes perfect! The more you measure, the more accurate you'll become.