HOW TO SPEC A GARMENT

BASIC POINTS OF MEASURE FOR

APPAREL

Basic POMs (points of

measure)

HPS: (High Point Shoulder)

A main reference point located at the highest point
of the shoulder, where the shoulder seam meets
the neckline. Many measurements are given in
relation to the HPS.

Basic POMs (points of

measure)
Center Front
(CF)
Not to be confused
with placket edges, the
center front is an
invisible line running
vertically down the
exact center of the
front of a garment.

Basic POMs (points of

measure)
Center Back
(CB)
An invisible line
running vertically
down the exact
center of the back of
a garment.

Basic POMs (points of

measure)
Side Seam
(SS)
Seams on the left
and right sides of a
garment from the
bottom of the
armhole down to the
bottom hem.

Basic POMs (points of

measure)

Tops/Jackets/Dresses

Basic POMs (points of

measure)
Body Length
Length of the
garment from HPS
to the Bottom
Sweep.

Basic POMs (points of

measure)

Across Chest
Usually measured 1 below armhole
horizontally from edge to edge.

Basic POMs (points of

measure)

Waist
Measured horizontally from edge to edge at a specific
distance below HPS, which will vary depending on
sample size and company standards. Example: For a
Junior size 9 waist spec is taken from 15 below
HPS.

Basic POMs (points of

measure)

Hip
Measured
horizontally from
edge to edge at a
specific distance
below HPS, which
will vary depending
on sample size and
company standards.
Example: For a
Junior size 9 hip
spec is taken from
24 below HPS.

Basic POMs (points of

measure)

Bottom Sweep
The bottom edge of the garment measured
horizontally straight across from edge to edge

Basic POMs (points of

measure)

Sleeve
Length
Distance from
the top of the
sleeve at the
shoulder seam,
to the sleeve
opening.

Basic POMs (points of

measure)

Bicep: Measured 1 below the armhole,

perpendicular to the length of the sleeve.
Armhole (Curved): Measured along the curve of
the armhole seam where the bottom armhole
meets the side seam, to where the top of the
armhole meets the shoulder seam.

Basic POMs (points of

measure)
Shoulder Drop
From HPS to
the shoulder
seam at
armhole.

Basic POMs (points of

measure)

Neck Opening
Measured from neck seam to neck
seam at HPS.

Basic POMs (points of

measure)

BOTTOMS

Basic POMs (points of

measure)

Upper Waist
Usually measured by aligning the front and
back waistbands and measuring straight
across the top of the waistband from edge to
edge.

Basic POMs (points of

measure)

Lower Hip
The lower hip spec is given through
the 3 point method using three
points of measure marked at a
certain distance below the top waist

Basic POMs (points of

measure)
Knee Opening
Measured at a certain
distance below the crotch
seam perpendicular to
the pant leg from side to
side.

Thigh
Typically measured 1 below the
crotch seam, perpendicular to the
pant leg from side to side.

Basic POMs (points of

measure)
Leg Opening: Measured
horizontally across the
bottom edge of the leg
opening.
Front Rise: The center front
seam from the crotch seam
to the top of the front
waistband.
Back Rise: The center back seam from the crotch to
the top of the back waistband.
Inseam: The inner leg seam from the crotch seam to
the leg opening.