Collar Around
Unbutton the shirt and spread it out on its back. Place one end of the measuring tape at the center of the button where the button stitching comes through to the inside of the collar band. Pull the collar tight so that any curve to the collar band becomes straight. Measure straight across the collar band to the far edge of the button hole. Round to the nearest ΒΌ inch. Do not add extra to account for shrinkage. We will do that for you.
Sleeve Length
Button the shirt and lay it down flat on its front. Place one end of the measuring tape at the center of the back of the collar, just below the collar band. Run the measuring tape along the yoke and down the sleeve to the end of the cuff. Pull the sleeve firmly away from the shirt body. Do not stretch the sleeve, but be sure it is fully extended. Do not add extra to account for shrinkage. We will do that for you.
Yoke Width
Button up the shirt and spread the shirt out on its front. Measure from the point where the yoke meets the sleeve, straight across, to the same point on the other side. When taking this measurement, pull the two ends of the yoke tight but don't stretch it.
Chest Width
Spread the shirt out on its back. Be careful to fully spread out any wrinkles or folds that might hide underneath. If the shirt has rear pleats, this will be especially important. Put one end of the measuring tape at the bottom of the armpit of the shirt and measure straight across to the bottom of the other armpit.
Midsection Width
Spread the shirt out on its back such that there are no wrinkles or folds underneath. Find the narrowest part of the shirt's body. This is probably about halfway between the armpits and the bottom of the shirt. Measure the width of the shirt at this point. This is not necessarily where the side seams are.
Shirt Length
With the shirt spread out on its front, measure from the base of the back of the collar straight down to the center of the very bottom of the dress shirt. Do not stretch the shirt, but be sure it is lying flat and fully extended.
Sleeve Width
Lay the shirt on its back. Spread the shirt sleeve out flat such that the seam along the bottom of the sleeve is where the sleeve is folded. Place one end of the measuring tape on the bottom edge of the sleeve, an inch from the armpit. Measure up to the top of the sleeve such that the measuring tape is perpendicular to the top folded edge of the sleeve. Do not stretch the sleeve but be sure it is spread out flat.
Cuff Around
Spread the cuff out flat and measure from the center of the button to the outside edge of the button hole.