SIZING FEMININE ATTIRE TO THE MALE BODY
Here we shall discuss the important topic of SIZE. Specifically, how to
measure your body and translate the resulting numbers into feminine clothing
sizes.
Normally when one shops in a store the known size of the garment guides one to
the correct area of the store where the final selection is made by trying the
garment on for appearance and comfort.
Experienced shoppers know sizes vary from manufacturer-to-manufacturer,
label-to-label, material-to-material and even one time to the next. In other
words, clothes sizing is NOT an exact science. The MTF is further handicapped
by seeking clothing neither cut nor sized for the male body. Of course the
ideal situation is to have feminine clothing styled and fitted by a tailor to
your individual body. There are a few tailors available to provide this
service.
However, the purpose of this article is to assist the FTM emerging from the
dark recesses of his/her closet with the first selection of feminine clothing
to provide the best chance of passing in public at an affordable cost. It is
assumed this initial selection will be made from a mail order house or
possibly at a store WITHOUT trying the garment(s) on prior to purchase.
Obviously the first step in determining your size(s) is to take, and record,
your body measurements. It is easier if you have a friend help and if you wear
no more then your basic undergarments (bra and panties). Referring to the
figure farther on in this article measure the length, in inches, around your
body at the following locations: chest, bust, waist and hips. Record the
results near the same areas of the figure. It is best to have a cloth
measuring tape (one can be purchased in the sewing or notions department of
variety or department stores). Always keep the tape parallel to the floor and
stand straight, but comfortably (breathing normally) with feet together. It's
important to be wearing a bra filled in the same manner as you expect to be
wearing under your new clothing.
The chest is measured with the tape snugly under the arms and above the cups
of your bra. The bust is measured with the tape around the fullest part of
your bra cups with the tape just snug enough to prevent its sliding down in
back. The difference between the the chest and bust measurement is your cup
size.
The waist is measured with the tape at the narrowest part of your waist (about
mid-way) between the top of the hip bone and the lowest part of the rib cage.
The hips measurement is taken with the tape snuggly around the largest part of
your hips and buttocks.
Remember, while measuring ALWAYS keep the tape parallel to the floor. If you
don't yet have a bra, don't despair. You can determine your bust size from
your chest size if you know what the cup size of your bra is or will be. The
following scale will help you determine your cup size. If your bust measures
1" larger than your chest measurement you are an A-cup; 2" equals a B-cup; 3"
equals a C-cup; 4" equals a D-cup and 5" equals an E-cup. For example, if you
wish to wear a B-cup size bra and your chest measures 38 inches then your
complete bra size is 38B. You can see that your bust measurement would be 40
inches. (Add the 2 inches of the B-cup to your chest measurement of 38" and
you have 40".) Also note the numeric value of your bra is the same as your
chest measurement.
DRESS SIZE.
Using the size chart on the inside back cover of this magazine and
your measurements for bust, waist and hips locate your dress size from the
size group for your height. The chances are your surements AREN'T ALL in the
same vertical column of the chart. Again, don't despair. The size charts
AREN'T formulated for a masculine body and even some feminine bodies don't fit
the size mold. Generally you will have to pick the LARGEST size from the three
measurements. Say, for example, you are 6' tall with bust/waist/hip
measurements of 42/32/38 respectively. Looking at the chart you'll see the
following three different Tall Misses sizes are indicated:
(42 bust = size 20) (32 waist = size 16) (38 hips = size 14)
The obvious choice would the the size 20 dress. However, you might rationalize
that since only one inch separates your bust measurement from a size 18 it
would be an acceptable choice since it would fit much better at the waist. If
the dress is styled so a slight snuggness at the bust and shoulders won't
detract from the overall appearance then the 18 would be an acceptable
selection. As a second example say your height is 5'8" and your measurements
are 41/36/41. You can see on the size chart that your 36" waist dictates the
need of a Tall Misses size 20 dress. However, the judicious use of a waist
cincher will probably bring your waist down two inches to thirty-four inches
which would perfect for a size 18 dress. Your height of 5'8" would probably
also allow you to wear the same size in Misses as well as Tall Misses. As
mentioned before clothing sizing is NOT an exact science and a bit of fudging
is allowed, but don't let fantasy overcome common sense. The bad news is that
dresses are the most difficult to fit, so if your body measurements don't line
up with the chart, read on. By the way, bathing suits are sized the same as
dresses.
BLOUSE SIZE .
(also sweaters). Blouses are sized by bust measurement, although
shoulder width must also be considered for the male since women tend to have
narrower shoulders then do men. If you have a choice between a "standard" and
a Raglan shoulder take the latter since it has no seams AROUND the shoulder
and you may be able to select a smaller size because of this feature. A bust
measurement of fortyfour inches requires a size 22. If the blouse is long
sleeved a Tall Misses size should be selected to accommodate the slightly
longer male arms; however if the blouse is short-sleeved a Misses size 22 will
probably fit just as well.
SKIRT SIZES .
(also pants and jeans). Generally, skirts have zipper closures
with a button on the waist-band although, of course, some have elastisized
waist bands. Waist measurements determine skirt size. From the chart you can
see that a thirty inch waist requires a size 14 skirt. Fitted skirts are
usually cut for hips 8 to 10 inches larger than the waist. If your hips
measure more than 10 inches greater than your waist you will have to use your
hip measurement in selecting skirts. Tall Misses skirts are generally 2 to 4
inches longer than Misses skirts of the same size.
LINGERIE SIZES
BRAS.
Use chest measurement.
PANTIES.
Use hip measurement. Number sizes for panties are seldom used in
catalogs any more.
PANTYHOSE.
Use the chart on the package to determine size requirements.
SLIP, TEDDIE, CAMISOLE.
Use bust measurement.
GARTER-BELT, GIRDLE, HALF-SLIP.
Use waist measurement.
CORSELETTE, BODY BRIEFER.
Use bust measurement. Pay special attention to
garment length.
HSE and STOCKINGS.
Generally sized by body height. 5'8" or taller use sizes 11
thru 13 large or long. 5'7" and shorter use sizes 8 to 10, average or medium.
SHOE SIZES.
Sizes vary from label to label and style to style more than any
other article in the feminine wardrobe. As a rule of thumb (or toe) males
require a 1/2 to a full size larger in feminine sized sandals (as explained in
the previous installment a "sandal" is any feminine shoe style with an open
toe) than when buying masculine styled shoes. For pumps or shoes with a closed
toe 1 to 1 1/2 size larger is required. An solution for this problem is, when
ordering shoes from a mail order house, to include a tracing of your LEFT foot
and they will select the correct size for you. But, using the above
information you will have an approximation of the size required so be sure the
shoes you're ordering are available in the size you need.