Want Something Custom Made?
Manuel is notorious for his studded couture, but what is it that you want? Below you will find a step-by-step guide to the fitting process, including a visual map of all the necessary measurements. So come on over to 1922 Broadway for your Manuel experience, or if you’re long-distance, send us the necessities to get your custom order under way!
To the left is an image of our cutting order. Every client has one, and we keep them in our records for the repeat offender. As you can see, we take (at least) 12 measurements for a given order. We also collect all of your billing and shipping contact information and keep it WITH your measurements so Manuel can contact you with any design inquiries during the production process.
The Measurements (with photos and descriptions)
Collar, Chest, Waist, Hip, Top, Back, and the preferable Pant/Belt placement measurement
Collar: Take the measuring tape around the neck one full time.
Chest: Take the measuring tape, under the armpits, and with the arms relaxed by your sides, around the broadest part of the chest.
Waist: Take the measuring tape around the waist, at the thinnest part of the torso.
Hip: Take the measuring tape around the widest part of the hips and bottom. (Note: This may or may not be where you wear your pants!)
Top: Take the measuring tape, from the tip of the left shoulder to the tip of the right shoulder, holding the tape along the top of the shoulders.
Back: Take the measuring tape from the left side of the back laterally to the right side (basically the crease of one arm pit to the crease of the other).
Pant/Belt: Let us know where you actually wear your pants! This may be at your waist or at your hips or somewhere in between, as shown in the image above.
Insleeve, Outseam, Inseam, Shoulder, Waistline, and Coat Length
Insleeve: Take the measuring tape from under the armpit, along side the inside of your arm (closest to the side of your body) down to the wrist (or where you want your sleeve to end). If your arms are significantly different lengths, take a measurement for each arm. Otherwise, one will do.
Outseam: Take the measuring tape from the top of the pant/belt down to the floor (or where you want your pant leg to end). It is helpful to let the 1″ mark of the measuring tape go closest to the floor so you can get a more accurate measurement and prevent kneeling.
Inseam: Take the measuring tape (again, holding onto the tape where the higher numbered measurements are makes things easier and a bit less awkward for this one) from the bottom of the rise (crotch) to the floor.
Shoulder: Note that this is a two-part measurement separated by a hyphen (“-”)! Begin by taking the measuring tape from the outside of the neck (where the shoulder “begins”), along the top of the shoulder, to the tip of the shoulder. Record that number (it is usually between 5-8, depending on the size of the person), keep the measuring tape as it is (don’t start over from 1″ for the second half), and continue to bring the measuring tape down to the wrist (or end of the sleeve) along the outer part of the arm, away from the side of the body. This measurement may look something like: 7″-30″.
Waistline: Take the measuring tape from the top of the back, down the center of the back, to the top of the pant/belt.
Coat Length: Take the measuring tape from the top of the back, down the center of the back, to where you want your coat to end. A regular-length coat usually stops around the thumb (if your arms are relaxed at your sides). When you come in for a fitting, we tend to take a few different measurements for short jackets, regular length, 3/4 length and dusters (full-length), just to have that one file.
Dress Length
Dress Length(s): Like with the Coat Length, take the measuring tape from the top of the back, down the center of the back, to where you want the dress to end. When you come in for a fitting, we usually take a few different measurements for different length dresses, just to have that on file.
We also can take your measurements from clothes you already have. If there is a particular fit or style you really love, ship us the garment, and we will use those measurements for your custom piece.
*Please note, especially when it comes to dresses, that some custom pieces necessitate different measurements. For a bustier, for example, we need several measurements along the torso. Email or call us to inquire about specialty measurements, and we will be happy to guide you.
The Design
Part of the Manuel experience is working one-on-one with Manuel himself to create your dream outfit, but that doesn’t mean that only he can take pen to paper. You can provide the art and imagery, be it your own original work or bits and pieces from what’s out there. Draw up something, scan it and email/mail it to us, or take images from the Internet for inspiration. Manuel wants to work with you on creating what you want.
Please email or mail all design imagery and measurements to us at info@manuelcouture.com, or 1922 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203. Or, get in touch with us to schedule a fitting.
