Fit, measuring and alterations · 8 October 2026 · 4 min read

Kameez length with a curved hem: where to measure

How to measure kurti length with a round hem: which point to give as the length, how to take the side length and curve depth, and how to measure a kameez you own.

Inspiration

Give the centre length, then the curve

On a curved hem, give the kameez length at the centre front, measured from the highest point of your shoulder beside the neck down to the lowest point of the curve. Then add how much shorter the sides should be, either as a side length or as the curve depth. One number alone leaves the cutter to guess how strong the curve is.

The centre front is the point most tailors mean when they say kameez length, and it is how the size guide defines it: from the shoulder beside the neck to where you would like the kameez to end. On a straight hem that is the whole story. On a gol daman, the hem rises towards the side seams, and on a high-low hem the back drops below the front, so you need a second figure.

Three numbers and what each one means

The figures below are typical ranges from everyday dressmaking. They vary with the length of the kameez, so a short kurti usually carries a smaller curve than a knee-length one.

Centre length: shoulder beside the neck straight down to the lowest point of the hem at the centre front. This is your main kameez length.
Side length: the length at the side seam where the hem is shortest. It can be given from the same shoulder point, measured straight down at the side of the body, or along the side seam from the underarm.
Curve depth: the difference between the two. A gentle curve is often about 1.5 to 2 inches (4 to 5 cm); a clear gol daman 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm); a deep shirt-tail curve 5 to 7 inches (13 to 18 cm).
Back length, for high-low hems: measured from the same shoulder point down the back to the lowest point behind. The back is often 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) longer than the front.

Taking both lengths from a kameez you own

If you have a curved kameez you like, copying it is the easiest way to get both numbers. Use a garment in a woven fabric that has not stretched out of shape. Our guide to using a kameez that fits as a template covers the other measurements to take while it is on the table.

Lay it flat, front facing up, and smooth it from the neck down without pulling the hem.
Fold it in half lengthways to find the centre front, then open it again.
Measure from the shoulder seam where it meets the neckline straight down the centre to the hem. That is the centre length.
Lay a ruler or a long book straight across the kameez at the lowest point of the hem.
At each side seam, measure from the hem straight down to the ruler. That gap is the curve depth; check both sides match.
If there are side slits, measure each one from the hem up to the top of the slit.
For a high-low hem, turn the kameez over and repeat the centre measurement on the back.

Measuring on yourself instead

Without a garment to copy, stand in front of a mirror and hold the tape at the highest point of your shoulder, beside your neck. Let it fall straight down the front and note where you want the lowest point of the curve to land. Then move the tape to your side, at the same shoulder point, and note where you would like the side to end. Most people want the sides to cover the hip bone at least, especially if the kameez has slits. Our kameez length in inches guide shows where common lengths land on different heights.

What to write when you order

Put the centre length in the kameez length box on the quote form and describe the curve in the notes: for example, “gol daman, sides 3 inches shorter than the centre, slits 7 inches” or “high-low, front 36 inches, back 40 inches”. Give everything in inches or everything in centimetres. A photo of the hem shape you want helps too.

We read the numbers together with the design and confirm the final lengths and hem shape in your written quote before cutting. The custom stitching page explains how an order works from there.

Common questions

Is kameez length measured at the side or the centre?

At the centre front, from the highest point of the shoulder beside the neck to the hem. On a curved or high-low hem, add the side length or the curve depth separately so the shape is clear.

How deep should the curve be on a short kurti?

On a hip-length kurti, a curve of about 1.5 to 3 inches (4 to 8 cm) usually looks balanced. Deeper curves suit longer shirts, where the sides still cover the hip.

Does a curved hem need side slits?

Not always. A gentle curve can be closed at the sides, while a deep shirt-tail curve often has short slits or simply rises high enough to give room for walking. Say which you prefer when you order.

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