Here's the way to get your perfect measurement. Take a piece of YOUR OWN clothing to measure. Now get a cloth tape measure. If you don't have one, use a piece of string and a ruler/yard stick or carpenter's tape measure. For example if you're buying a t-shirt, get one from your closet that fits you the way you want it to. You want tight...get a tight shirt. You want loose...get a loose shirt...and so on. Measure this shirt and use the measurements as your template for the size you want. We use Flat Measurements. These are exactly that...measurements of the garment (zipped or buttoned up) laid flat on a table or hard surface.