A woman can choose better-fitting clothes by knowing her exact measurements and choosing the appropriate size that corresponds to those measurements. However, most women's measurements do not fall into one size category, since bodies are not always proportionate. For this reason, always taking the time to try on clothing is advisable. Most likely, you will choose the size that the majority of your measurements, such as bust, hip and waist, fall into. For women who are extremely disproportionate, such as those who have an extremely large bust but a small waist and hip area, buying clothes that fit the largest part of you and having the rest of the garment altered to fit your other measurements is your best solution for perfect-fitting clothes.
Raise the size of a garment such as a dress or blouse by one size with every inch of bust size. Remember that sizes for women increase by increments of two. For example, a 34-inch bust is typically a size 4, a 35-inch bust is a size 6, a 36-inch bust is a size 8 and a 37-inch bust is a size 10.
Adjust a woman's size for a dress, pair of pants or skirt by going up one size for every inch of waist measurement. For example, a 26-inch waist is a size 4, a 27-inch waist is a size 6, a 28-inch waist is a size 8 and a 29-inch waist is a size 10.
Calculate a woman's size for a dress, pair of pants or skirt by going up one size for every inch of hip measurement. For example, 36-inch hips are a size 4, 37-inch hips are a size 6, 38-inch hips are a size 8 and 39-inch hips are a size 10.
Determine whether the woman is best-suited to regular or petite clothing based on her height. Regular clothing is meant for women from 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall. Petite clothing is meant for woman under 5 feet 4 inches. There are also tall or short clothing categories for someone extremely tall or extremely short.