supriya

OUTERWEAR
Use the measuring chart shown here to obtain a good fit. It's best to take actual body measurements rather than measuring over clothes or taking sizes from existing garments.
Bust:	Measure around the fullest part
Waist:	Measure around natural waistline
Hips:	Measure round the widest part, 8" (20cm) below the waist, keeping the legs slightly apart.
Coat Length:	Measure from the back of the neck
Dress length:	Measure from the center of the shoulders.
Skirt length:	Measure from natural waistline to required length

Summary of General Fitting Rules

There are certain basic rules to remember in fitting all figure types.

Measure the figure carefully to determine the correct bust, waist, and hip dimensions.

- Bust - With arms relaxed down at sides, measure around fullest part of bust, under your arms and keeping tape parallel to the floor.
- Waist - Bend to one side to find the natural crease of your waist. Measure at this point keeping tape parallel to the floor and comfortable around your waist.
- Hips - Stand with heels together, and measure around the fullest part of your hips (about 8 inches from your waist).
- Inseam - Measure a similar style pant that fits you well. Measure from the crotch seam to the hem.
- Head - Measure around head with tape above brow ridges.

Select the type of garment to be fitted
Be sure that the garment is of sufficient length. Watch the stocking length for garter adjustment.
Always sit down in garment and sure that the bones, if any, in the corset are the proper length and do not dig into the flesh.
Attach garters correctly in a straight line and keep garters straight to prolong the life of both the corset and the hosiery.
Make sure there is no roll of flesh above the waist of a girdle or at the top of a corset.
Be sure that the crotch line of a panty girdle is long enough.
Always lean forward when you hook your brassiere. This is especially important if your breast is at all pendulous. In this way, the nipples of your breast fall directly into the center of the bra pocket. In the case of a long-line bra, fasten the first four hooks and then stand up while you finish fastening.

Garment fit Description

Stretch to fit: A body-hugging tight fit.	Form-fitting: A close, shaped fit.	Easy-fitting: A just right, classic fit.	Loose-fitting: A generous, loose fit.

Given below are addresses of some TG-friendly tailoring shops from where girls can get their dresses stitched with their very own measurements . These shops also rent out costumes / imitation jewellery / wigs etc. to drama and stage performing groups . You can boldly approach them for your needs .
Thanks to Silky Devi & Sunita Didi for providing this very valuable information .

Chennai

JAYA DRESSES
3 , Jawaharlal Nehru Salai	New 414/Old 199 Arcot Rd.
Vadapalani (near Murugan temple signal)	Vadapalani
Chennai 600 026	opp. R-8 , Vadapalani Police Stn.
	Chennai 600 026
phone : 044 23624358 , 55492283

THANGAM DRESSES
199 , Arcot Rd.	23 , Desigar St. (narrow st. next to Xformer)
Vadapalani	Vadapalani
opp. R-8 , Vadapalani Police Stn.	near R-8 , Vadapalani Police Stn.
Chennai 600 026	Chennai 600 026
phone : 044 23623467 , 52136140

Measurements for an average Indian woman, in Inches

One size items. Generally fit small to large up to size 14.
Measurements	Small		Medium		Large		X Large		XX Large
Around Neck	13½"	14"	14½"	15"	15½"	16"	16½"	16½"	16¾"	17"
Shoulder to Waist	15½"	15¾"	16"	16¼"	16½"	16¾"	17"	17¼"	17½"	17¾"
Around Upper Chest	30"	31"	32½"	34½"	36"	38"	40"	42"	44"	46"
Around Breast	32"	34"	36"	38"	40"	42"	44"	46"	48"	50"
Around Lower Chest	29"	30"	31"	32"	33"	34"	35"	36"	37"	38"
Shoulder to Wrist	21"	21½"	22"	22½"	23"	23½"	23¾"	24"	24¼"	24½"
Shoulder	14"	14½"	15"	15½"	16"	16½"	17"	17½"	17¾"	18"
Around Waist	26"	28"	30"	32"	34"	36"	38"	40"	42"	44"
Hips-about 7" or 8" below Waist	36"	38"	40"	42"	44"	46"	48"	50"	52"	54"
Waist to Ankle bone	36"	36½"	37"	37½"	38"	38½"	39"	39½"	40"	40½"

INNERWEAR

How to measure for a bra

An estimated 70% of women do not know their proper bra measurements. Without knowing these measurements, it can be very difficult to buy fashionable and well fitting clothes. Many women's clothing items use bra or cup size measurements to distinguish differences in fit, so these measurements can be extremely important. This section will arm you with the knowledge you need for these crucial measurements.

Additionally, a woman's breasts change significantly over time, particularly during and after pregnancy. Weight loss, gain and monthly cycle variations can also have an effect on the fit of your bra. It is advised that you check your bra size once or twice a year or as necessary due to significant weight changes.

Before you begin:

Try to get someone to take the measurements for you - your posture will be more relaxed and natural. The measurements should be more accurate.
Stand up straight and breathe normally
Don't measure over the top of clothing
Wear the bra you feel most comfortable in
Use a cloth tape measure if possible. Note: Older flexible tape measures can sometimes stretch and distort over time.

Traditional measurement method:


		Determining your Bra/Band size (ribcage circumference measurement)
		1.	Measure around the chest directly under the breast at a constant height with the cloth measuring tape. Add 5 inches to that measurement. This dimension is your bra/band size (If the bra size works out to an ODD number go up one inch to the next EVEN number.) This should equal the circumference around the chest, directly above the breasts/under the arms.
		2.	Now measure around the chest at the height of the fullest part of the breast. The measuring tape should be held horizontal, flat on your back, and your arms should be down. Make a note of that measurement (only used for comparison) and compare it to the Bra Size from step 1.
		Determining your Cup size (projection of breasts from chest wall)
		3.	To determine the proper Cup Size, find the difference between step 2 and step 1 (step 2 - step 1.) Use the chart below to determine your Cup Size.

Chart to Determine Bra Cup Size		Example:
Difference	Cup Size	Step 1: Underbust measurement is 37". Add 5 inches. Bra Size is 42. Step 2: Full bust measurement is 45". Step 3: 45 - 42 = 3" difference. Cup size is C. Result: Buy a 42C bra.

Half inch One inch Two inches Three inches Four inches Five inches Six inches Seven inches	AA cup A cup B cup C cup D cup DD or E cup F cup G cup

The usual bra measuring system may not work:

Each person is unique, and all busts differ in volume, shape and spacing, just as each person's unique body size, height, and weight can affect a bra's fit; a tape measure and simple formula may not always tell the whole story. Plus, even if the measurements ARE accurate, there are no real "standards" for bra sizing, so differences between manufacturers is common.

An alternate bra measuring scheme:

step1 : Determining your Bra/Band Size: (ribcage circumference measurement)

Measure around the chest directly under the breast.
Measure around the chest, directly above the breasts/under the arms.
If the difference between the two measurements is two inches or less, use the Step 1 measurement. If the difference is over two inches, you may want to try one bra/band size larger for comfort. This will be your bra/band size.
If the under-breast measurement is an odd number, add one to reach the next even numbered bra band size.
Now measure around the chest at the height of the fullest part of the breast. The measuring tape should be held horizontal, and your arms should be down. Make a note of that measurement (only used for comparison).

step2: Determining your Cup Size: (projection of breasts from chest wall)

To determine the proper Cup Size, find the difference between step 5 and your bra band size. Use the chart above to determine your Cup Size.

Notes:

The previous measurement instructions are most applicable if you are taking bra measurement with an existing set of breasts.
If you have only one breast due possibly to surgery, or have an uneven breast cup sizes, you should probably equalize the cups (with some form of padding) to the existing or largest breast when measuring to maintain measurement symmetry.
If you do not have breasts due to whatever the reason, you will take the bra band measurements listed above, but you can pretty much be whatever cup size you wish, depending on what your plans are. Remember that choosing a cup size proportional to your body frame will look the most "natural."
Suggestions on choosing a cup size
Bra band sizes 32-28:
- "Slender" build: A cup
- "Average" build: B cup
- "Heavier" build: C cup
Bra band sizes 40-42:
- "Average" build: B cup
- "Heavier" build: C-D cup
Bra band sizes 44-46:
- "Average" build: C cup
- "Heavier" build: D-DD cup
If you are in between sizes or you are having difficulty finding a good fit, when you go up a cup size, you should go down a band size. If you go down a cup size, you should go up a band size (ex: if you have a 36C and it is not fitting quite properly, you would probably want to try a 38B or a 34D next.)
When sizes are DD and above, great care must be taken to be properly fitted. Some bra manufacturers make their Bra Size slightly large. (e.g. a bra marked 38 will probably fit a 40 woman.)
For sizes above D, cup sizing is not well defined. It can keep increasing by an inch for each successive letter, or it can repeat letters for new cup sizes above D. So, a DD cup is the same as an E cup. A DDD=EE=F cup, a DDDD=EEE=FF=G cup and so on.
Long line and 3/4 bras should only be considered if their length is LESS than the distance from the under-bust to the natural waist line.
If either of the bra sizes given here is very different than what you are currently wearing, go with your current size.
When ordering a mail order garment where a proper fit is important, make sure that the return policy of the company is well understood.
If you are taking these measurements without wearing a breast form on for only a single prosthesis, determining the bra cup size can be more difficult. Some experimentation may be necessary.
If you are taking these measurements for two prostheses, you can simply take the bra size measurement (Step 1) and then choose the cup size that is right for you.
These are guidelines only. Proper sizing may vary for different body sizes, heights, and weights.

Bra Size - All measurements in centimetres
Top Bust	Diaphragm Measurement
	62-67	67-72	72-77	77-82	82-87	87-92	92-97	97-102	102-107
71-73	30AA/8AA
73-76	30A/8A
76-78	30B/8B
78-81	30C/8C	32A/10A
81-83	30D/8D	32B/10B
83-85	30DD/8DD	32C/10C	34A/12A
85-88		32D/10D	34B/12B
88-91		32DD/10DD	34C/12C	36A/14A
91-93			34D/12D	36B/14B
93-95			34DD/12DD	36C/14C	38A/16A
95-98				36D/14D	38B/16B
98-101				36DD/14DD	38C/16C	40A/18A
101-103					38D/16D	40B/18B
103-105					38DD/16DD	40C/18C	42A/20A
105-108						40D/18D	42B/20B
108-110						40DD/18DD	42C/20C	44A/22A
110-112							42D/20D	44B/22B
112-115								44C/22C	46A/24A
115-117								44D/22D	46B/24B
117-120								44DD/22DD	46C/24C
120-123									46D/24D
123-125									46DD/24DD

	Bust	Waist	Hips	Dress Size
S = Small	87½ - 90	66-68½	92½-95½	6-8
M = Medium	93-96½	71-75	98-101½	10-12
L = Large	100-104	79-82½	105½-109	14-16
XL = Extra Large	109-115	87½-92½	114½-119½	18-20

	Bust	Waist	Hips	Dress Size
1X	39-42	31-34	41-44	16-18
2X	45-48	37-40	47-50	22-24
3X	100-104	79-82½	105½-109	14-16