Uniform Size Guide: How to Measure Staff for the Right Fit

This uniform size guide explains how to measure staff accurately, how garment fit differs from body size, and how to plan sizing for a mixed workforce in the UAE. It is written for HR, procurement and operations teams who want uniforms to fit on first issue rather than after rounds of exchanges.

You will not find a numeric size chart on this page. Sizing varies by style, fabric and brand, so garment-specific size charts are supplied with the quotation for the exact items you are ordering.

How to take body measurements

Use a soft tape measure and ask a second person to take the measurements. Measure over light clothing, keep the tape level and snug without pulling it tight, and ask the wearer to stand naturally. Record every figure in centimetres against the employee’s full name, department and branch.

Measurement	How to take it	Used for
Chest or bust	Around the fullest part, tape level under the arms and across the shoulder blades, arms relaxed.	Shirts, polos, T-shirts, blazers, jackets, tunics, scrub tops, coveralls
Waist	Around the natural waist, the narrowest part of the torso. Note where the wearer prefers the waistband to sit.	Trousers, skirts, fitted tunics, dresses, coveralls
Hip	Around the fullest part of the hips and seat, feet together, tape level all the way round.	Trousers, skirts, dresses, long tunics, coveralls
Shoulder	Straight across the back from the edge of one shoulder bone to the other.	Shirts, blazers, jackets, chef coats, lab coats
Sleeve	From the shoulder point, over a slightly bent elbow, to the wrist bone.	Long-sleeve shirts, blazers, jackets, lab coats, coveralls
Inseam	Inside leg from the crotch to where the hem should finish, with the wearer in work shoes.	Trousers, coveralls, scrub trousers
Neck	Around the base of the neck where a collar sits, with one finger between tape and skin.	Formal shirts worn buttoned to the collar or with a tie
Height	Standing straight against a wall, without shoes.	Garment length, short or tall fittings, coveralls, longer-length garments

Not every garment needs every measurement. A polo shirt programme may need only chest and height, while a tailored blazer and trouser set needs the full list.

Body measurement vs garment measurement

A body measurement is the size of the person. A garment measurement is the size of the finished item, usually taken with the garment laid flat, for example across the chest from underarm seam to underarm seam.

The two are never the same, because a garment has to be larger than the body inside it. Problems start when a body chest figure is read against a garment chart, or when someone measures a favourite shirt and reports it as their own size. Whenever you receive a size chart, check which of the two it shows, and if you send figures taken from an existing garment, say so clearly.

Ease allowances explained

Ease is the difference between the body and the garment. Wearing ease is the room needed to move, breathe, sit and reach. Design ease is extra room added to create a particular look, such as a loose chef coat.

How much ease is right depends on the fabric and the job. A woven shirt with no stretch needs more room than a knitted polo that gives with the body, and jackets, lab coats and coveralls worn over other clothing need more again. Physical roles need more freedom across the back and upper arm than desk roles. Final specification will be confirmed during quotation.

Fit types

Regular fit: a straight, balanced cut with moderate ease. It suits the widest range of body shapes and is the usual starting point for a company-wide uniform.
Slim fit: closer through the chest, waist and sleeve for a sharper outline. It is less forgiving across a varied team, so offer an alternative.
Relaxed fit: more room through the body and sleeve for physical roles, layering and wearers who prefer a looser feel.
Modest and longer-length options: longer tunics and shirts, full-length sleeves, higher necklines, looser cuts and co-ordinating headscarves, specified at the design stage so that they match the rest of the range.

Common sizing mistakes

Asking staff to state their usual size. Letter sizes differ between brands and styles, so a medium in one garment is not a medium in another.
Pulling the tape tight, or measuring over a jacket or thick layers.
Measuring trouser length without work shoes, which leaves hems short.
Choosing longer garments by chest alone and ignoring height and hip.
Applying one chart to different garments, such as the shirt chart to a blazer.
Collecting sizes long before the order is placed and not rechecking after staff changes.

Sizing a mixed workforce in the UAE

UAE teams bring together many nationalities and builds, so the size range within one company is usually wider than a standard retail run. Plan for both ends of the range from the start rather than treating them as exceptions.

Tall, short and plus options: identify employees who need a different length or a larger size before production, and ask which sizes and lengths each style is offered in.
Men’s, women’s and unisex cuts: a unisex garment simplifies ordering but rarely fits everyone well. Separate cuts improve comfort and appearance.
Modesty preferences: ask rather than assume, and offer longer lengths, long sleeves and looser cuts as standard choices.
Climate and setting: staff who move between outdoor heat and strong indoor air-conditioning often wear layers, which affects the ease needed in outer garments.
New joiners: keep the agreed size range and each role’s garment list on file so that later recruits are sized against the same styles.

Size sets and try-ons

A size set is one garment in each size of a chosen style, used for try-ons. Staff put on the actual garment, confirm their size and note any length changes, which removes the guesswork of reading charts.

Try-ons suit polos, T-shirts, shirts, scrubs, coveralls and other standard styles. Tailored items such as blazers, suits and fitted dresses are better handled by individual measurement. Which approach suits your order is agreed during quotation; our sample policy explains how samples are provided.

How onsite measurement works

Mustang offers free onsite individual uniform measurement in the UAE for qualifying company uniform orders. Our team visits your premises and measures each employee, so sizes do not depend on self-reported figures. Details are on the onsite measurement service page.

Submit a request through Book Onsite Measurement with your locations and approximate staff numbers by role.
Prepare a staff list with names, departments, branches and the garments each role will receive.
Staff are measured individually at your site, and each measurement is recorded against the employee’s name.
Sizes are confirmed with you before production, and approved sizing is kept on record for repeat orders.
Finished garments can be packed employee by employee, by name, department, branch or location.

Onsite measurement is offered in the UAE only. For teams elsewhere in the GCC, the measurement method is agreed during quotation.

Fit-correction guarantee

Garments measured by Mustang are covered by our fit-correction guarantee. The guarantee does not cover changes in body size after measurement. The conditions are set out in the measurement policy.

For a step-by-step walkthrough to share with branch managers, read Uniform Sizing Chart: How to Measure Your Team. Further articles are collected under uniform sizing and fit.

Get sizing right before production

Tell us the garments, roles and locations involved and we will send the relevant garment-specific size charts with your quotation. Request a Quote, or Book Onsite Measurement for a UAE-based team. To check fabric and cut first, Request a Sample.

Size & Fit Guide