If you cannot find anyone to help you take this measurement, use the “Measure Shoulder Width with a Shirt” method, instead. That method can be performed by yourself and usually produces an accurate result.
If you do not have a tailored dress shirt, any shirt that fits correctly in the shoulder area will work. You do not need to measure the shirt when using this method, but a good shirt can provide helpful guide points.
These two points should also be the points at which the shoulder meets the arm, or the points at which the shoulder begins curving down into the arm. If you are wearing a dress shirt that fits your upper body correctly, you can use it as a guide. The shoulder seams on the back of your shirt will usually match up with your actual shoulder points. [2] X Research source If your shirt does not fit perfectly, use your knowledge of how loose or snug the shoulder fit is and adjust your two end points accordingly to make improvements.
Keep in mind that you should be measuring across the broadest part of your shoulders. This usually lands out roughly 1 to 2 inches (2. 5 to 5 cm) below the neckline. The tape measure will not be horizontally straight during this measurement. It must bend at a gentle curve along with your shoulders.
Standard shoulder width can be used for both men’s and women’s attire, but it is most often used for men’s tailor-fit dress shirts and blazers. Shoulder width essentially measures the width of the yoke of your ideal shirt size. You will also need this measurement when determining the best possible sleeve length for a shirt or blazer.
Note that if you are only asked for “shoulder width” and not specifically for “front shoulder width,” you should use your measurement for “back shoulder width. " Back shoulder width is the standard measurement, while front shoulder width is much less common. Your front shoulder width will usually be close to or the same as your back shoulder width, but there can be slight differences based on age and weight. Certain conditions, like scoliosis and osteoporosis, can yield more dramatic differences.
This measurement deals with the supporting points of your shoulders rather than their truth width. As such, a shirt that illustrates how far these supporting points are is better than a snug shirt with a standard or high neckline.
Ideally, each shoulder point should land in roughly the same area as a back shoulder point, just to the inside of where your arm starts dropping off. Your weight and age can alter this position, though, so these points do not always match up. [5] X Research source Your front shoulder point will actually end up being at the outermost solid portion of your shoulder where your shoulder is capable of supporting a neckline or strap. You might be able to use your shirt as a guide. If the straps or neckline of your shirt are about as wide as they can be without slipping off your shoulders, they are approximately aligned to your front shoulder width. The inner point of each strap or each side of the neckline will match up with your front shoulder points.
The tape measure will not be horizontal or parallel to the floor. Instead, it must bend subtly along with the natural bend of your shoulders.
Front shoulder width can technically be used for both men’s and women’s attire, but it is most commonly used when designing or tailoring women’s attire. This measurement is typically used when designing or tailoring necklines. Your front shoulder width is the maximum width a neckline can be without falling off your shoulder. This measurement also makes it easier to space straps on bodices in a way that will prevent them from slipping off your shoulders.
The accuracy of this measurement depends entirely on the shirt you choose to measure, so make sure you pick a good one. For the sake of accuracy, use a shirt that fits in the shoulder area as correctly as possible. If you want a looser fit, you can always add 1 inch (2. 5 cm) or so to the measurement after you take it. This measurement can be substituted for your back or standard shoulder width measurement. Do not use it to substitute for your front shoulder width measurement, though. Since this measurement is not quite as accurate as one measured across your actual shoulders, you should only use this option if you are unable to use the traditional method of measurement.
For the sake of consistency, you may want to keep the back facing up as you measure. This does not matter much, though, since the location of the shoulder seams will almost always be the same on both the front and back of you shirt.
The tape measure should lie flat and horizontal across the shirt. It should also be aligned parallel to the bottom of the shirt.
While not quite as accurate as a shoulder width measurement taken from your actual shoulders, this measurement will almost always provide a close enough approximation to your true shoulder width. This measurement is most commonly used for tailored men’s pieces, but it can be used for both men’s and women’s tops.
