How to check your measurements

Whether you are a model who has already signed up with Models Direct or someone who is considering joining us, you need to know your measurements.

Those who are with us need to check their weight and body size regularly to ensure the facts and figures we have on their e-portfolio are the most up-to-date ones.

Parents of babies, toddlers, children and teens who are still growing also need to chart height changes too.

At Models Direct, we accept models of all shapes, sizes, weights and ages – there is an ever-increasing demand for models who reflect the real people we all are.

But we must know that the body weights and sizes you have given us are the current ones.

If we send you along to a modelling assignment and you are significantly smaller, larger, heavier or lighter than the client expects you to be, then you may well be turned down for the job.

So how can you ensure the facts and figures you have given us are accurate?

Weight:

Weigh yourself just once a week. This needs to be at the same time of day and you need to have consumed the same amount of food and water and be wearing the same clothes each time. The easiest way of ensuring this, therefore, is to do it on the same day every week, first thing in the morning, before breakfast and with no clothes on. Chart your weekly weight for a month and if there is a significant change over that period of time to the weight we have on our books then change your details on your e-portfolio.

Height:

Adults, this should not vary. Parents of child models you need to measure your children as soon as they can stand. Again, you can do this once a week, then inform us after a month if there has been a noticeable growth spurt. The easiest way of doing this is against a wall chart or a blank wall that you can mark and then measure with a tape measure. Ensure your child is standing straight, with his or her heels, bottom and shoulders against the wall. Feet should be flat on the ground and the child should be looking straight ahead. Use a ruler or something else that is thin and flat to put gently – and level – on your child’s head to make a right angle with the wall. Then make a pencil mark on the wall or on the chart at the point the ruler meets the wall.

Dress size:

Most of us are aware of our average dress or clothing size, but still be wary. As you know, these can vary greatly between retailers. If you are unsure, spend a morning every few months or so wandering round the shops trying items of clothing on. You will soon work out what your normal clothing sizes are. If you think you have lost or gained any significant weight, then do this more frequently.

Body size:

Buy a flexible tape measure that is not elastic. If possible, measure yourself in your underwear only. Whenever you take a measurement, take it twice to be sure. If you are unsure, then ask someone else to do it for you. For your bust, measure the widest part and for your waist, measure the narrowest. For your hips, put your feet together and measure the widest point around your buttocks. To measure inside and outside legs, take your shoes and socks off, then stand up straight. Ask someone to measure from the ankle to the crotch for your inside leg and from your ankle to your waist for outside leg. For head size, measure the circumference of your head at the widest part of your forehead.

Shoe size:

Like dress size, this can be done by going into various outlets and asking them to measure your foot size and if you can try different shoes or boots on. Remember each foot can be a different size – and check little ones’ feet regularly as they can grow so quickly!