How to Measure
Your Cassock
Nine measurements, taken carefully, are the difference between a cassock that hangs with quiet dignity and one that needs alteration. This guide walks you through each one — in the order a tailor would take them.
Take these nine, in order
Wear the shoes and undergarments you'd normally wear during a service, and measure over that clothing — not against bare skin, and not from an old cassock that may no longer fit. A soft measuring tape and a second pair of hands will get you the most reliable numbers. Record each figure as you go; the worksheet at the end of this page is built for exactly that.
Height Sets overall cassock length
Stand straight against a wall, heels touching the baseboard and the back of your head against the wall, wearing the shoes you'd normally wear for service. Have someone rest a ruler flat on top of your head, parallel to the floor, and mark or read where it meets the wall.
Chest The single most important number
With your arms relaxed at your sides, wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest — under the arms and across the shoulder blades. Keep the tape snug against the body but not compressed, and check that it stays level and parallel to the floor all the way around.
Waist Use today's number, not an old cassock's
Wrap the tape completely around the largest part of your waist. Measure your actual current waist rather than sizing up from a cassock you already own — bodies change, and a garment that fit two sizes ago won't give you today's true number.
Hips Broadest point, not tightened
Measure the circumference across the broadest part of your seat. A mirror helps you keep the tape level on both sides; let it rest against the body without pulling it tight into the skin.
Neck Your dress-shirt collar size
Wrap the tape completely around the largest part of your neck, at the point where a shirt collar would sit. This is the same number you'd use to buy a dress shirt, so if you already know your collar size, you likely have this one.
Sleeve Length Bend the elbow, like checking a watch
Bend your elbow to a right angle, as though checking the time on your wrist. Starting at the middle of your back neckline, run the tape over the top of your shoulder, around the point of the bent elbow, and down to your wrist bone.
Back Length The measurement that sets your hem
Locate the prominent bone at the base of your neck and measure straight down your back to your desired hem length. If you only need back length to the waist, measure from that same point down to your waistline instead — the two are related but distinct, so be clear which one you're recording.
Shoulder Width Outer edge to outer edge
Stand naturally with your arms relaxed at your sides. Measure straight across your back from the outer edge of one shoulder to the outer edge of the other.
Cincture / Band Belt The one measurement people get wrong
A band cincture sits over the cassock, which is itself worn over street clothes and a normal belt — so this is not your everyday belt size. Measure around your stomach at the point where the cincture will actually sit, taken over your clothing, then add about four inches to that number for comfortable movement and layering.
Seven habits that separate a good fitting from a frustrating one
Measure in pairs
A flexible tape and a second person to hold it will consistently outperform measuring yourself alone, especially for back length and sleeve.
Wear your service shoes
Heel height changes where your hem lands, so measure height and back length in the shoes you'll actually preach or process in.
Measure over service clothing
Take every measurement over what you'd normally have on underneath during worship — not bare skin, not bulky outerwear.
Don't pad the numbers
Give your true measurements rather than rounding up "to be safe." Accurate numbers, not generous ones, are what produce a correctly fitting cassock.
Improvise carefully
A locked metal hardware tape works for straight lines; for curves, pinch a piece of string or yarn at the key point and lay it flat against a ruler to read the length.
Every maker charts differently
Never assume your size carries over from another brand. Always check the specific chart for the garment you're ordering, and look for regular, short, or long options within your size.
Choirs & clergy teams
For multiple orders, collect at minimum: chest, waist, back length, and sleeve length from each person. A simple shared spreadsheet keeps a whole group organized.
Your measurement worksheet
Record each figure the moment you take it. Bring this sheet with you when you order, or use it to collect measurements for a group.
| # | Measurement | Your Number (in.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Height | ____________ |
| 2 | Chest | ____________ |
| 3 | Waist | ____________ |
| 4 | Hips | ____________ |
| 5 | Neck | ____________ |
| 6 | Sleeve Length | ____________ |
| 7 | Back Length (to hem) | ____________ |
| 8 | Shoulder Width | ____________ |
| 9 | Cincture / Band Belt | ____________ |
Before you order: always check the specific size chart for the eClergys style you've chosen — cut and finished length can vary between cassock styles, and many are offered in regular, short, and long lengths for a closer fit to your back length and height.