A Sherwani is a statement garment — and fit is everything. Whether you are ordering for a wedding, Eid, or a festive occasion, measuring yourself accurately at home is the single most important step to getting a Sherwani that drapes well and photographs beautifully. This guide walks you through every measurement you need, what ease means, and how to avoid the most common sizing mistakes.
What You Need
- A soft measuring tape (the kind used for sewing — not a metal builder's tape)
- A mirror, or ideally a helper
- Form-fitting clothing or just a light kurta — avoid heavy layers
- A pen and paper, or this page open on your phone
Measurement Diagram
Use the labeled diagram below as a visual reference while you take each measurement. Each label corresponds to the numbered steps in the section that follows.
___________
| SHOULDER | ← A. Shoulder Width
/| |\
/ | | \
/ |____________| \
| | | |
| | CHEST | | ← B. Chest (fullest point)
| |____________| |
| | | |
| | WAIST | | ← C. Waist
| |____________| |
| | HIP | | ← D. Hip / Seat
| |____________| |
| |
|← E. Sleeve Len →| ← E. Sleeve (shoulder to wrist)
|
| ↕ F. Sherwani
| Length
| (nape to knee)
Tip: Print this page or keep it open alongside your measurements.
Step-by-Step: The Six Key Measurements
A — Shoulder Width
Stand upright. Place the tape at the outer edge of one shoulder (where the seam would naturally fall) and measure across to the outer edge of the other shoulder. Keep the tape straight across the upper back. Do not round over the neck.
Note this number in inches or centimetres — be consistent throughout.
B — Chest (Most Important Measurement)
Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, directly under your arms and across your shoulder blades. Keep the tape level and parallel to the floor. Breathe normally — do not inhale and hold. The tape should be snug but not tight; you should be able to slip two fingers underneath comfortably.
This is the single most important measurement for Sherwani sizing. Most size charts are anchored to chest circumference.
C — Waist
Measure around the narrowest part of your natural waist, typically 1–2 inches above your navel. Again, keep the tape snug but not pulling. Sherwanis are not always waist-fitted, but this measurement helps when a garment has a defined waist or when ordering churidar/salwar bottoms.
D — Hip / Seat
Stand with your feet together. Measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat, usually 7–9 inches below your natural waist. Keep the tape level. This measurement matters most for the fit of the accompanying churidar or salwar.
E — Sleeve Length
Bend your arm slightly at the elbow. Place the tape at the top of your shoulder (the same point you used for shoulder width) and measure down along the outside of your arm to your wrist bone. A slight bend in the arm gives a more accurate real-world measurement than a rigid straight arm.
F — Sherwani Length
Stand straight. Place the tape at the nape of your neck (the prominent bone at the base of your neck) and measure down to your desired hemline. For a traditional knee-length Sherwani, this is typically to the centre of the knee. For a longer achkan style, measure to just below the knee. Have a helper hold the tape for accuracy.
Understanding Ease: Body Measurement vs. Finished Garment
Your body measurement and the finished garment measurement are not the same. The difference is called ease — the extra fabric added so that you can breathe, move, and sit comfortably. Without ease, a garment is unwearable even if it technically matches your chest circumference.
| Measurement Point | Your Body Measurement | Typical Ease Added | Finished Garment Is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | e.g. 40" | +2" to +4" | 42"–44" |
| Waist | e.g. 34" | +2" to +3" | 36"–37" |
| Hip | e.g. 38" | +2" to +4" | 40"–42" |
| Sleeve | e.g. 24" | +0.5" to +1" | 24.5"–25" |
Practical rule: When a size chart shows a chest measurement, it usually refers to the finished garment chest. Subtract the ease (typically 2–4 inches) to find the body measurement that garment is designed for. When in doubt, size to your chest and check our reusable size guide for the specific garment's finished measurements.
Common Measuring Mistakes to Avoid
- Measuring over thick clothing. Even a single layer of a heavy kurta can add 1–2 inches to your chest reading. Measure in light or form-fitting clothing only.
- Pulling the tape too tight. A measurement taken with the tape pulled snug against skin produces a compressed number that will result in a garment that is too small. You should be able to insert two fingers under the tape.
- Letting the tape sag at the back. When measuring chest and hip, ask your helper to confirm the tape is level all the way around — it tends to drop at the back without you noticing.
- Measuring sleeve length with a straight arm. The natural arm position when wearing a Sherwani is slightly bent. A straight-arm measurement consistently produces sleeves that are too short.
- Ignoring length in favor of chest only. Sherwanis vary significantly in cut length across different styles. Always provide your preferred finished length, not just your chest size.
- Rounding up "to be safe." Sizing up by a full size to get more room usually results in excess fabric at the shoulders — which cannot be easily tailored. It is better to size accurately and request alterations at chest and waist if needed.
Measurement Worksheet
Record your measurements here before placing your order:
| Measurement | Your Measurement (inches) | Your Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| A — Shoulder Width | ||
| B — Chest (fullest point) | ||
| C — Waist | ||
| D — Hip / Seat | ||
| E — Sleeve Length | ||
| F — Sherwani Length |
Ready to Order?
With your measurements in hand, you have everything you need to select the right size confidently.
- Browse the full Sherwani collection — filtered by occasion, fabric, and style.
- Cross-reference your chest and length measurements against our reusable size guide, which covers finished garment measurements across all our ethnic menswear.
If you are between sizes or have an atypical proportion (broad shoulders with a slim waist, for example), note that in the order comments or reach out before purchasing. Getting the fit right the first time is always easier than managing alterations after delivery.
Still unsure? Our size guide covers all major menswear categories and is updated regularly as new styles are added to the collection.
Explore Plus-Size Wedding and Festive Wear
Once you have recorded your measurements, explore our Black Silk Men's Kurta Sherwani Pajama Set with Shawl. It includes a sherwani-style kurta, drawstring pajama and coordinated shawl, with size options from XS through 8XL. Check the product's size selector for current availability.
For more options, browse our Plus Size & Tall Men's Indian Wear collection. Sizes vary by design. These measuring instructions explain how to take measurements; they are not a product-specific size chart.