How to Measure a Barong

The barong Tagalog, also known as a barong, is a lightweight, embroidered Philippine garment worn on formal occasions. The barong is typically worn untucked over an undershirt by both men and women for weddings and formal events. It is considered an ancient crafted Tagalog dress popularized by the Tagalog people of the Philippines. Wearing a barong symbolizes style, pride, dignity and legacy.

Barong for Men

• 1

  Use a measuring tape in inches to measure around the neck. Place a finger under the tape and note down this measurement.

• 2

  Measure the shoulder area across the back. Place tape from one edge of the shoulder to the other edge of the shoulder, or measure a shirt that fits well from shoulder seam to seam. Write down all measurements.

• 3

  Measure around the fullest part of the chest.

• 4

  Measure around the fullest part of the waist and around the fullest part of the hips.

• 5

  Measure the area around the wrist bone. Then, measure the sleeve length from shoulder tip to palm as well as from the shoulder tip to the bottom of the arm hole.

• 6

  Measure the area around the bicep under the armpit.

• 7

  Measure the length of the back from the center of the back of the neck down to the bottom of your behind.

• 8

  Note down all measurements. Refer to the men's size chart (see Reference 3). For example, if the neck measures 16 inches, the chest 37 inches, the shoulders 18 inches, the sleeves 22 inches and the back length 29 inches, the correct size would be small.

Barong for Women

• 1

  Use a measuring tape to measure the area around the neck loosely.

• 2

  Measure down the front for the neck opening from center of front neck to the desired neckline.

• 3

  Measure across the front of the shoulders from tip to tip and then across the shoulders from the back, shoulder edge to shoulder edge.

• 4

  Measure the front of the chest from armhole to armhole and then the back of the chest from one armhole to the next armhole across the back.

• 5

  Measure the area of the bust. First, measure around the fullest area of the bust while wearing a bra and circling the tape straight around the back as you would measure when fitting a bra. Note that wearing a bra instead of wearing a strapless or no bra makes a big difference. Then, measure from bust point to bust point.

• 6

  Measure the area of the hips. First, measure the area around the waist and then measure the hips about 3 inches below the waist. Measure about 7 inches below the waist or around the fullest area of the hips.

• 7

  Measure the area from shoulder to bust. Then, measure from shoulder to waist in the front from the neck area and then measure from shoulder to waist in the back.

• 8

  Measure the center in the front from the neck to the waist. Then, measure the center of the back from neck to waist.

• 9

  Use the tape to measure the armhole from shoulder tip to bottom of armhole to shoulder. Then, measure the bicep around the arm under the armpit. Lastly, measure the sleeve length from the tip of the shoulder to where the end of the sleeve is desired.

• 10

  Measure the dress length from shoulder, over the fullest part of the bust and to desired end of the hem. If the barong will be full-length, measure from shoulder to the floor without shoes on. Also, measure the skirt length from waist to desired hem length.

• 11

  Note down all measurements and refer to the women's size chart (see Reference 3) for exact sizes. For example, a woman with a bust measurement of 32, waist of 28, hips 32 (3 inches below waist) and widest point of hips 34 (7 inches below waist) would be a size small.