Below are my basic size charts for all stretch fabric costumes. As you can see, there is one number for each size that overlaps a bit. My measurements are 36-27-35 so I can technically fit into both a size Small and an extra small, but the extra small is extremely skin tight. The small is comfortably tight.

"Bust" refers to your measurement over bust at the largest point. "Hips" is the measurement around your hips at the largest point. "Waist" is the measurement around your natural waist at smallest point, and "Abdomen" is the measurement halfway between waist and hips, which happens to be where most of us belly dancers like to wear our waistbands!

How well your costume fits is directly determined by how accurately you measure. To make sure you are getting accurate measurements, you should have a friend help you measure. I cannot take returns on custom made merchandise, so please make sure to get good measurements!

Here's several common mistakes:

Be sure you're reading the tape measure from the right side. Don't laugh, I've done this before. You aren't in that much danger if you have a tape that contains inches on one side and centimeters on the other, but some of them contain inches on both sides - just starting from different directions on the 60 inch tape. Also be sure to start from the right end - this also may seem obvious to you, but it's easy to grab the wrong end if you are in a hurry!

Take your time, and measure twice. If you wind up with several inches difference between two "bust" measurements, it could be because you had a full breath of air on one and had just let it out on the other. I generally try to have about half a breath of air when I measure my bust.

Use a sewing tape, not a construction tape measure, and NEVER a piece of string and a ruler. If you don't have one already they only cost about a dollar or two and it is well worth the investment to make sure your costume fits.

Step 1: Determine your basic size. Below are the measurements you will need to take. Measure your hips at the fullest point, and your abdomen at a point halfway between your hips and your natural waist. If your measurements don't fit neatly into the sizes below (for instance, your abdomen measures larger than your hips) you may need a custom pattern.

Step 2: Determine your rise. Did you wonder what on earth is "crotch height"? This measurement determines what rise you are best off ordering. To determine your crotch height, sit on a hard chair and measure from the chair between your legs up to your natural waistline at smallest point. The numbers shown above are the average for each size range. If your measurement is very close to the one above for your size range, choose your rise based on where you prefer to wear your waistband. If your measurement is significantly (1 inch or more) smaller than the one listed above, you will want to order either low rise or super low rise. If your measurement is significantly (1 inch or more) larger than the one listed above, you will want to order either low rise or medium rise.

Step 3: Determine your inseam. Inseam refers to the length of the inside of your pant leg, from crotch to hem. To determine your inseam, measure from your crotch at the top inside of your leg to the floor. You will need a friends help with this - you hold the end of the tape measure at the top, and have your friend read the tape at the point where it touches the floor.

If you prefer your pants to just barely brush the floor, that number is your inseam. If you prefer your pants to not quite reach the floor, but brush the tops of your feet at your toes, subtract 1/2 inch from that number to get your inseam. If you like your pants extra long and dragging the floor (my sister prefers them this way), add 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches to that number to get your inseam. Finally round up or down to the nearest inch - if you have half an inch or more round up - and if you have less than half an inch round down.

For renaissance bodices, take your bust (measured at largest point) and underbust (measured just below the breasts) measurement. Once you get those numbers look at the chart. If there is a large difference between your bust and underbust you may need a custom pattern. Contact me if your measurements do not fit neatly into one of the above categories. The "and up" refers to how much gap you'll be likely to have in the sides of your renaissance bodice when you lace it. Back when my bust measured 34", I fit into a small bodice with both sides and front laced nearly tight. Right now, at 4 months pregnant with a 37" bust, I can still fit into the small, but I lace the sides with a 1" gap to make up for the difference. Medium fits perfect, but I'd rather not have to make maternity bellydance costumes, so I'll stick with my small laced loosely! These are intended to fit tightly. It's sleeveless and doesn't cover the midriff, so you'll still be able to move just fine. And bodice fitting tightly means cleavage front and center!

If for some reason you'd prefer a looser fit, order 1 size up. I recommend tighter, however, it will look much, much cuter!

Belts are equally easy to size. If you want to know how much gap you'll have in your belt, just divide the difference between your waistband and the "abdomen" measurement above by 4. My belts all have 4 pieces laced together. For instance, my waistband (again, at 4 months pregnant) measures 38 inches - so a medium would fit me, but my small laced with a 1" gap (38 minus 33 is 4 divided by 4 is 1.25) works just fine. You could lace them with up to a 2" gap before they'd start looking ridiculous.