Standard Measurement Chart
The chart is a diagram which shows the various standard measures necessary for the construction of a garment, is usually used by professionals in the fashion industry. In addition to building the basic model, enables to develop the model in other sizes.
Standard is defined as the average measurement used as a reference model.
Around there are a variety of Standard Measurement Chart, to choose the right one keep in mind various parameters:
-
THE COUNTRY which they refer: the measure table follows the standard of measures of the state where the garment is packaged; an Asian woman will not have the same body shape as an European lady, and consequently the measures will change. Even in the same continent there are a difference between the measures tables, for example a German woman does not have the same body as an Italian lady, as an Arab from the Chinese, etc …so it clear to professionals that they can’t have only one reference table, but one per each country..
-
THE METHOD used by the professional: each method has a way to measure and make the patterns; for example, there are some that use a proportional method to obtain measures through calculation and others that use many measures.
-
GROUP: for example if the collection is for men, women, children, etc …
-
THE TARGET: for example if the collection is for teenagers, mature women, over size, pré-maman, etc …
-
FROM THE COMPANY: every company has its own measurement table that reflects the usual standards of its market.
-
TYPE OF PRODUCT: whether underwear, high fashion clothes, or dresses with a low price range, swimwear, jackets, wedding dresses, etc …
-
THE SIZE used: we must pay attention to the different classification (number or letter) used to define a size. In England, for example, size 42 corresponds to measure 10 and in Japan to 11; there are tables that use the letters “S M L” to indicate “Small, Medium and Large”. In Italy we use the even numbers and the size corresponds to the chest half circumference, so in size 42 the chest circumference is 84 in size 44 is 88 and so on. Odd measurements are generally used to indicate over sizes.
An important thing that not everyone consider, is the generational leap. Often some firms or professionals, use the same size tables for decades, this leads to a long time of use the wrong parameters. Try to think about how much the measures have changed over time, an example, an 8-year-old chid of today does not have the same measures as an 8-year-old boy of the 70s, today they are taller and lighter, a 30-year-old woman of the 50s does not have the same physicality as one of 30 of our days. This make it clear that we must update the measurement tables according to the new parameters.
There are companies that make in-depth studies on this subject, like some industries that build the mannequins which must keep up with the times.
Obviously, I will not report any measurement chart, since there is not the correct size chart for excellence, all depends on these factors that I explained. In internet or in some books you can find more appropiate, is up to you to find the right one for you and the work you have to do.
