Measuring for a Corset Your basic corset size will be selected by your WAIST measurement- measured snuggly at your natural waist. To find your natural waist bend to the side and tie a string around yourself where it "creases" Leave this string there to assist you in a few more measures. Also take your bust measure at the fullest point, underbust measure, hip measure and back waist length measure at this time. Please go to the below link to fill out a corset measurment chart Marna Jean's Corset Measurement Chart Finding your "natural waistline" Measure back nape of neck to waist and from waistline to bottom of shoulder blades(where the corset will stop) The next measure you should take is from your center front waistline to your lap- this is as long as you will want your corset to extend down or it will shift up and pinch when you sit down. The next measure is from your waistline to about the level of your nipples for most corsets- an Edwardian corset may be lower- and some more "covering" corsets(like the ferris corset waist) may be higher, but most will need this level. The final "real important" measure is from your waist to your "underarm" area. This measure should be lower than the chemise level, if your chemise has sleeves you don't want it to bunch up when you take this measure. Take this measure sitting down, if you get this measure too high it will cause rubbing and pinching during movement. Notice that it is quite a waist from a true underarm level - about 2-3 inches down from the armpit.