I find a shocking amount of my clients don't actually know what their measurements are. They'll tell me their best guesses but have no real hard data on what their actual sizing is.

Imagine buying furniture for your home without knowing if it would fit in the space. Most guys are doing the equivalent with their clothing.

You have actual body measurements that you should take and know off-hand. Measurements are centimeters and inches, by the way. I hear a lot of guys tell me "oh, I'm a Large".

Not quite, my man.

YOU are not a size. You are you.

The clothing maker gets to determine how large a Large will be.

Sometimes, a Large fits slimmer; sometimes, it fits bigger. There are no standards for what dictates a large and there is no governing board holding brands accountable for sizing standards.

Just for kicks, you and I could start a clothing brand tomorrow that swaps all the Larges for Smalls, and no one could say a thing. Would you still be a Large here? Of course not.

But there's a trick to finding your perfect size. Something that most men never ever do.

Curious?

What you're looking at above is a sizing chart. You can find these on any clothing manufactures website, usually listed right next to the size selection of the item (see below).

Most brands will usually even give you instructions on how to measure yourself and your existing clothing so you have something to compare it to.

Can you tell me the last time you looked at one of those sizing charts?

For most guys, the answer is never.

What you need to realize is that the brand is giving you a cheat code to tell you if the stuff you buy will actually fit.

So here's how to use it.

First, you need to know your body measurements.

Chest, sleeve, neck, waist, and inseam.

Not guess. Not see what you've worn previously. Get actual hard data here.

The first option is to measure yourself, which is pretty easy to do if you have a measuring tape like this. There are tons of Youtube videos on how to get each measurement. And again, most brands sizing charts will show you how to measure. Here is Spier & Mackay's from the example above for reference.

The other option is to have someone measure you. A significant other can help with this, of course. But you can slip into any decent tailoring shop or good department store, and they can give you your measurements (but they'll try to get you to buy stuff, so it helps if you're already there shopping).

Now you'll have some actual measurements of your body, which is very useful. You'll know what size suits, jackets, and pants to wear.

But, we can take it a step further.

This is where the real magic happens.

To do this, you also need to measure a couple of your existing clothing pieces. What we're looking to measure are some of those items you own that fit you perfectly (or at least, very close to perfectly).

If you know the measurements of an item that fits you really well, you can then compare those to a size chart, so you'll know the exact difference between the thing you're looking to buy and the thing you already own that you like.

Let's say I'm trying to buy a button-down shirt, similar to the picture above.

First, I know my body measurements, so I'll start there. I know that my neck measures 16.5 and that is the typical shirt I buy.

Then, I'll compare the measurements of one of my own shirtsthat fits me really well and see if they line up around where the sizing chart says this shirt will be.

If things are a match, or at least close to it, congratulations. You've found something that works, and you should likely buy it. Even if not, you'll at least know what you'd need to tailor once getting the shirt.

In my case, comparing the measurements of my favorite shirt, I would likely need to size up to a 17.

The key is to play around with the sizing. Again, realize that you are not a size. Look at the measurements of your favorite (items) and then compare and adjust your purchases accordingly.

Remember, some brands run large or small, short or long, tight or loose, so going off of what you think your size is can be extremely misleading.

The only way to know for sure? Consult the sizing chart.

It's what I do as part of the process in my online consultation program, so we know what fits clients rather than just guessing, among many other things.

And once you know your measurements, it's too easy.

Not only will you know if clothing will fit you before you buy it, but you can also start making custom clothing, which I do for clients and myself. It's truly like having the cheat codes to style at that point. Take a look below...

The screenshot above is from a custom shirt program where you can create anything you want based on the measurements you already have.

Just compare the measurement to what you already own and then adjust accordingly to your preferences.

How cool is that?

But in order to start playing with cheat codes, you have to have the numbers to input.

Stop assuming you're a "size", get your measurements done, and start using sizing charts and custom clothing options once you do.

You'll never look at shopping the same way again.

You can work with me1:1 to get yourself a brand-new wardrobe and learn how to dress yourself for your body, your colors, and your budget. You'll also get a customized hairstyle, skincare routine, personal color palette, a full shopping list, and so much more. Click here see the details of that.

x Patrick