How to size a military uniform? - step by step guide
The military uniform is not only an essential piece of equipment for soldiers and special forces. It is also worn by airsoft players or historical reenactment enthusiasts. Its proper fit to the wearer's figure is crucial, as it affects comfort, freedom of movement and body protection. In addition, a properly fitted uniform increases the effectiveness of camouflage, which is extremely important during tactical operations.
Want to find out how to correctly size your military uniform? In our guide, you'll find valuable tips on how to measure your measurements accurately, what to look for when choosing a uniform, and we'll also provide you with sample military uniform size charts.
Measuring the body for the uniform - step by step
Choosing the right size for a military uniform can be tricky. The sizing of civilian clothing often differs from that used for military clothing. However, you can measure your measurements yourself and compare them with the tables, which are almost always provided by the manufacturer of the uniform in question. Another option is to consult experienced retailers who are specialists in uniform clothing. If you decide to take your body measurements and choose a uniform yourself, then be prepared:
- tailor's tape measure - the classic and most popular measuring tool,
- notebook and pen (or phone) - for recording measurements,
- mirror (optional) - for example, when measuring your waist, a mirror can make it easier to check whether the tape measure is in the right place and not too tight,
- a person to help you (optional) - it is easier to take some measurements with the help of another person.
Once you have everything you need, take the following body measurements:
1. Measuring growth
Stand upright against a wall, barefoot. Mark a point on the wall that corresponds to the highest point on your head, then measure the distance with a tape measure from the floor to that point and write down the value. It's a good idea to get help from another person when doing this step.
2. Neck circumference measurement
Measure the circumference of the neck at the point just below the larynx (Adam's apple). Keep your head straight and shoulders down when measuring.
3. Chest circumference measurement
Stand up straight and relax your shoulders. Measure the circumference of your chest at its widest point, usually this is under your arms.
4. Waist circumference measurement
Measure the circumference at the narrowest point of your natural waist, i.e. above the navel and below the ribs. Do not pull in your abdomen as this can falsify the results. It is best to take this measurement while breathing freely.
5. Measurement of thigh circumference
Stand straight with a slight stride. Measure the circumference of the widest part of your thigh - this will not necessarily be exactly in the middle.
6. Sleeve length measurement
With your arm lowered along your body, measure the distance from the top of the inside of your armpit along the inside of your shoulder to your wrist.
7. Leg length measurement
Measure the distance from the inside of the thigh, starting at the crotch, to where the trousers should end at the ankle.
Remember not to add any additional values to the measurements, to get precise results! Also note that sometimes size charts include other measurements. If this is the case, it is a good idea to measure these body parts to ensure the uniform will fit perfectly.
Size charts for military uniforms
After taking your body measurements, compare them to the size chart provided by the manufacturer or seller of your chosen uniform. If you are buying a product online, this type of information is usually included on the product card. In the Militaria.pl store, this information is always located in the "size chart" tab:
You will notice that the size charts on our website differ. In some products, full uniform sets may be marked with abbreviations such as: S, M, L, XL. These abbreviations come from English, where "S" means small, "M" - medium, "L" - large, and "X" - additional. There are not two separate sizes for pants and a blouse - there is one common size for the entire set.
| Size | Chest circumference - blouse (cm) | Overall length - blouse (cm) | Sleeve length from neck - blouse (cm) | Waist circumference - pants (cm) | Overall length - pants (cm) | Inner leg length - pants (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 94 | 82 | 80 | 84 | 103 | 79 |
| M | 98 | 82 | 80 | 90 | 107 | 82 |
| L | 102 | 84 | 82 | 96 | 111 | 84 |
| XL | 110 | 86 | 84 | 102 | 111 | 86 |
In selected products, the uniform set may have separate measurements for the sweatshirt and pants. The sweatshirt may be designated by abbreviations such as XS, S, M, L, etc., and the pants may be specified in numerical sizes, in increments of 2, for example: 34, 36, 38. Below is a sample size chart - Pentagon ACU 2.0 uniform set:
UNIFORM JACKET
| UNIFORM JACKET | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Width at chest (cm) | Overall length (cm) | Sleeve length on the outside (cm) |
| XS | 54 | 71 | 61 |
| S | 56 | 73 | 63 |
| M | 58 | 75 | 65 |
| L | 60 | 77 | 67 |
| XL | 62 | 79 | 69 |
| XXL | 64 | 81 | 71 |
| 3XL | 66 | 83 | 73 |
UNIFORM PANTS
| UNIFORM PANTS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Waist circumference (cm) | Width at thigh (cm) | Inner leg length (cm) |
| 34 | 68 | 29 | 82 |
| 36 | 72 | 30 | 82 |
| 38 | 76 | 31 | 82 |
| 40 | 80 | 32 | 82 |
| 42 | 84 | 33 | 86 |
| 44 | 88 | 34 | 86 |
| 46 | 92 | 35 | 86 |
| 48 | 96 | 36 | 86 |
| 50 | 100 | 37 | 86 |
| 52 | 104 | 38 | 86 |
| 54 | 108 | 39 | 86 |
| 56 | 112 | 40 | 86 |
| 58 | 116 | 41 | 86 |
| 60 | 120 | 42 | 86 |
By relying on charts like the ones above and comparing them with your measured measurements, you can easily choose the right size uniform.
Military uniforms offer at Militaria.pl
Militaria.pl offers uniform sets and individual pants or jackets, which are the basis for completing your own military uniform. We offer products from brands such as Pentagon, Helikon, Texar or 8Fields. These are garments characterized by high resistance to mechanical damage, which do not restrict freedom of movement and provide excellent ventilation.
The products we offer are available in different camouflage variants, such as Greek Lizard, PL Woodland or wz.93, which allows you to adapt the clothing to different field conditions.
