Imtiaz Ahmed - Head of Tailoring Team
Mr. Imtiaz Ahmed is working as a head of tailoring department at Shabab Al Yola. Over nearly two decades, he has worked with local clients across the Gulf and international customers who expect Gulf-standard tailoring delivered to their door. His hands-on experience covers every major regional style, including Emirati, Saudi, Qatari, Kuwaiti, and Omani cuts, along with the fine details that separate a well-made thobe from a great one. At Shahbab Al Yola, Imtiaz personally oversees the construction of every regional silhouette the brand produces. He knows Gulf garment-making inside out and brings that knowledge into every piece the brand produces.
Knowing how to take thobe measurements at home can make a huge difference when ordering a custom thobe online. Many people think measuring for a thobe is difficult. In reality, the process is quite straightforward when you follow the right steps. You only need a soft measuring tape, a few minutes of your time, and a clear understanding of the measurements that matter most.
At Shabab Al Yola, we have worked with customers who want a traditional fit, a modern tailored look, or something in between. One thing remains the same in every case. Accurate measurements are the foundation of a well-fitted thobe.
In this article, I will explains how to take thobe measurements at home in a simple and practical way. You will learn how to measure your neck, shoulders, sleeves, chest, and overall thobe length.
You only need a few simple items to get started. Grab a soft measuring tape. Find a well fitting thobe if you have, otherwise you can take measurements without having one. Keep a notepad or your phone nearby to note down the numbers. Ask a friend to help you for better accuracy. Wear lightweight clothing while you measure so the tape sits close to your body.
Get to Know the Key Thobe Measurements
Understanding each measurement helps you avoid mistakes. Here is a simple overview of what you need to measure and why it matters.
Measurement | Where To Measure |
Neck | Around the base of your neck |
Chest | Around the widest part of your chest |
Shoulder Width | Around the Across your upper back from shoulder edge to edgebase of your neck |
Sleeve Length | From shoulder seam down to your wrist |
Thobe Length | From the top of your shoulder down to your ankle |
Follow these steps in order. Write down each number as you go.
Wrap the soft tape around the base of your neck. Leave a little bit of room so the collar does not choke you. Slide one finger between the tape and your skin. This trick gives you enough space to breathe and swallow easily. A common mistake is pulling the tape too tight. Remember you want to feel comfortable.
Stand up straight but keep your posture relaxed. Do not puff your chest out. Breathe out naturally. Wrap the tape around the widest part of your chest. Make sure the tape sits flat across your back. It should sit parallel to the floor.
Stand in your natural relaxed position. Have your friend place the tape at the very edge of one shoulder. Run the tape straight across the top of your back to the edge of the other shoulder. Do not hunch forward. The tape should sit comfortably on your bone structure.
Bend your arm slightly at the elbow. Place the start of the tape at the edge of your shoulder exactly where the seam sits. Run the tape down the outside of your arm. Stop at your wrist bone. Your arm position completely changes the result so keep that slight bend.
Stand straight against a wall. Put the tape at the top of your shoulder near the base of your neck. Let the tape hang straight down your body. Measure down to your ankle bone.
A thobe should generally reach your ankles. Men in the Gulf keep the length of their thobes so they stand up straight and if they don't, the thobe touches the ground. That's their way of keeping their posture all day.
The hem should sit just above your shoes. Personal preference plays a big part here. Some men like a slightly longer look but you should never let it drag on the floor.
Button up your shirt. Find the pit area on one side. Run the tape straight across the chest to the pit area on the other side. Double that number to get your full chest measurement.
Start the tape exactly at the shoulder seam. Run it down the sleeve all the way to the edge of the cuff. Keep the sleeve perfectly flat.
Place the tape at the highest point of the shoulder. Run the tape straight down the front of the garment to the bottom hem.
Lay the thobe face down. Find the seam where the sleeve meets the body on one side. Stretch the tape straight across the upper back to the exact same seam on the opposite side.
Small errors cause big fitting problems. Watch out for these common pitfalls.
Not every thobe fits the same way. Different regions have unique styles.
Think of your measurements as a blueprint. A builder needs a solid blueprint to construct a house that stands straight. You need solid numbers to get a thobe that sits perfectly on your body.
Better fit naturally leads to better comfort. When your garment fits well you move easily. You also skip annoying alterations. Most importantly you gain confidence when you order online because you know exactly what you will receive.
Poor measurements create obvious problems. Sleeves end up too short. The thobe hangs too long and trips you up. The chest area pulls tight when you move. Narrow shoulders restrict your arms.
