Measuring Tips to Assure The Best Fit Bust With arms at sides, place tape measure under your arms and run it around the fullest part of the bustline and across the shoulder blades. Waist Find the natural crease of your waist by bending to one side. Run tape measure around your natural waistline, keeping one finger between the tape and your body for a comfortable fit. Hips With feet together, run tape measure around the fullest part of your hips/seat, about 7 to 8 inches below your waistline. Inseam For full-length pants, run tape measure along the inside of your leg, from just below the crotch to about 1 inch below the ankle.