Should I include measurement photos even if the marketplace has a size field?

Yes. A size field is still just the tag size, and tag sizing is inconsistent between brands and even between seasons from the same brand. A measurement photo gives buyers a number they can compare directly against a garment already in their closet.

Do I need a special tape measure?

No. A basic cloth or vinyl tape measure works, provided the printed numbers are easy to read once photographed at listing size. A metal retractable tape works too but is harder to lay flat against curved seams.

What if the garment does not lie flat, like a structured jacket?

Measure it in the position it will naturally sit, buttoned or zipped closed, and note in the caption that the structure adds a small amount of volume the flat number does not capture.

Is pit to pit the same as chest size?

Not exactly. Pit to pit doubled gives the full chest circumference of the garment itself, which is usually a couple of inches larger than the body it is meant to fit, since clothing needs room to move.

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Marketplace photography

How to photograph clothing measurements for resale

23. september 2026 · 6 min read

Photograph measurements by laying the garment flat, smoothing out wrinkles, and placing a tape measure directly on the fabric so the number is visible in the shot itself, not just typed in the listing. Measure pit to pit and waist flat, then double both for full circumference, and measure shoulder seam to seam without doubling it.

Why a number in the description is not enough

A tag says medium, but medium from one brand and medium from another can differ by two inches at the chest, and two garments from the same brand can differ between one season and the next. A buyer scrolling a resale listing is not really asking what the tag says, they are asking whether the garment will fit the body they have right now, and the only honest way to answer that is with a number they can compare against something they already own. A photo of the tape measure laid on the fabric answers that question inside the listing itself, before a single message gets sent asking for it.

The three measurements that matter most

Three numbers cover most garments and most buyer questions:

Pit to pit, the distance across the chest with the top laid flat and buttoned or zipped, measured armpit seam to armpit seam
Waist flat, the same flat measurement across a pair of trousers or a skirt at the narrowest point of the waistband
Shoulder seam to seam, measured straight across the back from where one shoulder seam meets the sleeve to where the other does

Doubling is where sellers get it wrong

Pit to pit and waist flat are both half measurements, because the garment is folded in half by lying flat. Double either one to get the number a buyer actually compares against their own chest or waist, which is measured all the way around. Shoulder width is the exception. It is already measured straight across the back, so doubling it produces a number twice the real width, which is a mistake worth catching before it goes into a listing.

For pants and bottoms, use WHIRL

1WaistMeasure flat across the waistband at its narrowest point, then double it.
2HipsMeasure flat at the widest point of the hip area, usually a few inches below the waistband, then double it.
3InseamMeasure from the crotch seam straight down the inside of the leg to the hem.
4RiseMeasure from the crotch seam straight up to the top of the waistband.
5LengthMeasure from the top of the waistband straight down the outside of the leg to the hem.

Setting up the shot

Lay the garment flat on a clean, contrasting surface and smooth out every wrinkle before measuring, since a fold or a bunch at the exact point you are measuring adds or subtracts a real amount from the number. Place the tape measure directly on the fabric at that point, pull it taut without stretching the fabric underneath, and shoot straight down from directly above so the tape reads accurately instead of at an angle that shortens it in the frame. Get close enough that the numbers on the tape stay legible at the size the marketplace displays it.

A quick reference

Measurement	How to take it	Double it?
Pit to pit	Flat across the chest, armpit seam to armpit seam	Yes
Waist (tops)	Flat across the narrowest point	Yes
Waist (pants)	Flat across the waistband	Yes
Shoulder	Straight across the back, seam to seam	No
Inseam	Crotch seam to hem, inside leg	No

Where RorlAI fits

RorlAI turns a clean garment photo into on-model or ghost mannequin images, but a measurement shot is a different job. It is a flat, factual, top down photo whose only purpose is to be accurate rather than styled, so it is worth taking separately with the same care as the listing's main image.

Common questions

Should I include measurement photos even if the marketplace has a size field?: Yes. A size field is still just the tag size, and tag sizing is inconsistent between brands and even between seasons from the same brand. A measurement photo gives buyers a number they can compare directly against a garment already in their closet.
Do I need a special tape measure?: No. A basic cloth or vinyl tape measure works, provided the printed numbers are easy to read once photographed at listing size. A metal retractable tape works too but is harder to lay flat against curved seams.
What if the garment does not lie flat, like a structured jacket?: Measure it in the position it will naturally sit, buttoned or zipped closed, and note in the caption that the structure adds a small amount of volume the flat number does not capture.
Is pit to pit the same as chest size?: Not exactly. Pit to pit doubled gives the full chest circumference of the garment itself, which is usually a couple of inches larger than the body it is meant to fit, since clothing needs room to move.