E
Touch of Elegance
Sherwani Measurement Guide
Men's Custom Sizing — Sherwani & Bottoms
Before you begin
Use a soft tailor's measuring tape — never a rigid ruler. Stand upright in a relaxed posture wearing only fitted undergarments or a single thin layer — sherwani fits are structured and close-cut, so thick clothing will skew your measurements. Have a second person take your measurements wherever possible. Note all measurements in inches.
Upper body — sherwani outer layer
01
Shoulder Width
Across back
Measure from the tip of one shoulder across the back to the tip of the other. Keep the tape straight and horizontal. Sherwani shoulders are typically structured, so precision here is critical.
Don't raise or roll your shoulders — stand naturally and let the tape sit on the natural shoulder point.
02
Chest
Full circumference
Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest — just under the armpits, across the nipple line. Keep it level all the way around. Sherwani chests are fitted with structured padding, so an accurate chest reading is essential.
Breathe normally and keep arms relaxed at your sides. Do not puff out your chest.
03
Arm Hole
Full circumference
Start at the top of the shoulder where it meets the arm, loop the tape under the armpit, and return to the start. Sherwani armholes are cut narrower than casual garments — this measurement ensures comfortable range of motion.
Keep your arm relaxed at your side. A raised arm will give an inaccurate, smaller reading.
04
Waist
Full circumference
Measure around the natural waist — the narrowest part of the torso, typically 1–2 inches above the navel. Sherwanis are often fitted or slightly suppressed at the waist for a structured silhouette.
Keep one finger between the tape and your body. Do not suck in or hold your breath.
05
Stomach
Full circumference
Measure around the fullest point of the stomach, roughly 2 inches below the navel. This is a key sherwani measurement — the front panel must accommodate the stomach without pulling or bunching at the buttons.
Stand relaxed and breathe normally. This is different from waist — do not skip it.
06
Hips
Full circumference
Measure around the fullest part of the hips and seat — typically 7–9 inches below the natural waist. Sherwanis flare or remain straight from the hip, so this determines the lower silhouette and hem spread.
Stand with feet together. Keep the tape parallel to the floor all the way around.
Arms & sleeves
07
Arm Width (Bicep)
Full circumference
Flex the arm slightly and measure around the fullest part of the upper arm — the bicep. Sherwani sleeves are typically straight-cut and fitted, so this ensures the sleeve doesn't pull when the arm is in motion.
Measure both arms and provide the larger reading if they differ.
08
Lower Arm (Forearm)
Full circumference
Measure around the fullest part of the forearm, just below the elbow. Sherwani sleeves taper toward the cuff and are finished with decorative buttons or zari trim — this ensures a clean taper without tightness.
Extend the arm and keep it relaxed. Roughly halfway between elbow and wrist.
09
Wrist
Full circumference
Measure around the wrist just above the wrist bone — the narrowest point of the lower arm. This defines the cuff opening, which on a sherwani is typically finished with buttons and may include embroidery.
Measure over the wristbone so the cuff can be closed and still slide over the hand comfortably.
10
Sleeve Length
Lengthwise
Start at the top of the shoulder seam, bend the arm slightly at the elbow, and measure down the outer arm to the wrist bone. Sherwani sleeves typically end at the wrist or just past — confirm your preference as some styles have a slight break over the hand.
Always measure with a slight elbow bend — a straight arm will underestimate the length needed for movement.
Lower body
11
Around Thigh
Full circumference
Stand with feet slightly apart. Measure around the fullest part of the upper thigh, about 2–3 inches below the crotch line. This measurement guides the cut of churidar, salwar, or straight-leg bottoms worn with the sherwani.
Measure both thighs and provide the larger reading.
12
Around Knees
Full circumference
Measure around the knee at its center — across the kneecap — with legs straight and relaxed. For churidar bottoms this is especially important as the fabric gathers below the knee; for straight-leg styles it determines the mid-leg width.
Do not bend the knee while measuring.
13
Around Calves
Full circumference
Measure around the widest part of the calf muscle in the upper-to-middle section of the lower leg. For churidar-style bottoms the fabric is gathered here, so the measurement ensures enough ease for comfort while still achieving the gathered look.
Stand flat-footed. The widest point is usually closer to the knee than the ankle.
14
Around Ankle
Full circumference
Measure around the ankle just above the ankle bone. For churidar bottoms this is the tightest point where the gathered fabric ends. For straight-leg or salwar styles this determines the hem opening width.
Measure over the ankle bone — not between the bones — so the hem can slide over the foot easily.
Lengths & height
15
Sherwani Length
Top to hem
Measure from the highest point of the shoulder (where the collar sits) straight down the front to your desired hemline. Sherwanis typically fall between the knee and mid-calf. Longer styles are more traditional; shorter cuts (above knee) are contemporary. Confirm your preferred style before measuring.
Stand straight and decide your hem preference first — knee-length, below knee, or mid-calf.
16
Bottoms Length
Waist to ankle
Measure from the natural waistline straight down the side of the leg to the ankle bone. For churidar this is measured to the ankle where the gathering ends; for salwar or straight-leg bottoms this is the full length to the desired hem.
Measure over bare feet for accuracy. Specify your bottom style — churidar, salwar, or straight-leg — when submitting.
17
Height
Floor to crown
Stand against a flat wall without shoes. Place a flat book on your head parallel to the floor, mark the wall, and measure from the floor to the mark. Report in feet and inches. Height helps the tailor proportion collar height, shoulder slope, and overall garment length correctly.
Have someone else mark the wall for the most accurate reading.
Kurta — Under Layer Measurements
Worn beneath the sherwani, or ordered as a standalone kurta & bottoms set. If you are ordering a sherwani only, you may skip this section. If you would like a kurta under-layer, or a kurta & bottoms set on its own, please complete all fields below.
Kurta upper body
K1
Chest (Kurta)
Full circumference
Re-measure your chest for the kurta if it will be worn under a sherwani — the kurta may need 1–2 inches additional ease to layer comfortably beneath the outer garment. If ordering a standalone kurta, use your standard chest measurement.
Mention if you prefer a relaxed or fitted kurta fit — this affects how much ease the tailor adds.
K2
Waist (Kurta)
Full circumference
Measure around the natural waist. A kurta worn under a sherwani is typically cut with a relaxed waist — not suppressed — so it sits smoothly beneath without creating bulk at the buttons or side seams.
If worn as a standalone, confirm whether you prefer a fitted or relaxed waist.
K3
Stomach (Kurta)
Full circumference
Measure around the fullest point of the stomach. When layering under a sherwani, the kurta front panel must lie flat without pulling — this measurement ensures there is no bunching beneath the outer layer.
Same measurement point as the sherwani stomach — 2 inches below the navel.
K4
Hips (Kurta)
Full circumference
Measure around the fullest part of the hips and seat. The kurta hem typically falls at or below the hip — this measurement ensures the lower portion of the kurta doesn't pull or restrict movement when worn with bottoms.
Stand with feet together and keep the tape level all the way around.
Kurta sleeve
K5
Sleeve Length (Kurta)
Lengthwise
Measure from the shoulder seam down the outer arm to the wrist bone with a slight elbow bend. A kurta worn under a sherwani typically has a shorter or same-length sleeve as the sherwani — the sherwani sleeve should cover or sit flush with the kurta cuff.
Kurta sleeves worn under a sherwani should match or be 0.5 inch shorter than the sherwani sleeve length.
K6
Wrist (Kurta)
Full circumference
Measure around the wrist just above the wrist bone. The kurta cuff is typically simple and unfastened when worn as an under-layer — it needs to slide cleanly under the sherwani cuff without bunching.
If the kurta is standalone, specify if you want button or open cuffs — this affects the cuff width.
Kurta lengths
K7
Kurta Length
Top to hem
Measure from the highest point of the shoulder straight down the front to your desired hemline. When worn under a sherwani the kurta hem should sit 1–2 inches above the sherwani hem so it does not peek out. For a standalone kurta, most styles fall just above or below the knee.
For under-sherwani use: subtract 1–2 inches from your sherwani length. For standalone: specify above knee, at knee, or below knee.
K8
Bottoms Length
Waist to ankle
Measure from the natural waistline down the side of the leg to the ankle bone. Kurta bottoms are typically straight-leg or slightly tapered. If you are ordering churidar as the sherwani bottom and a separate kurta bottom, specify the style for each clearly.
Measure over bare feet. Confirm bottom style — straight-leg, pyjama, or churidar — as this changes the cut.
Measurement summary
Fill in your numbers and share with us when ordering — complete both columns if including a kurta under-layer
Sherwani outer layer
1
Shoulder Width
___ in
2
Chest
___ in
3
Arm Hole
___ in
4
Waist
___ in
5
Stomach
___ in
6
Hips
___ in
7
Arm Width (Bicep)
___ in
8
Lower Arm
___ in
9
Wrist
___ in
10
Sleeve Length
___ in
11
Around Thigh
___ in
12
Around Knees
___ in
13
Around Calves
___ in
14
Around Ankle
___ in
15
Sherwani Length
___ in
16
Bottoms Length
___ in
17
Height
___ ft
Kurta under layer (if applicable)
K1
Chest (Kurta)
___ in
K2
Waist (Kurta)
___ in
K3
Stomach (Kurta)
___ in
K4
Hips (Kurta)
___ in
K5
Sleeve Length (Kurta)
___ in
K6
Wrist (Kurta)
___ in
K7
Kurta Length
___ in
K8
Bottoms Length (Kurta)
___ in
Standalone kurta & bottoms order? Complete K1–K8 plus measurements 11–14 and 17 from the sherwani section only.