Fit, measuring and alterations · 8 October 2026 · 3 min read
One side different? Uneven shoulders or arms
One shoulder lower than the other, or one arm fuller? Which left and right differences show in how clothes fit, which to ignore, and how to report them for a kameez.
InspirationMost bodies are a little uneven
Almost everyone is slightly different on the left and right, and most of the time a garment hides it completely. The differences worth reporting for a made-to-measure kameez are the ones that already show in your clothes, such as a hem that dips on one side, a strap or neckline that slides one way, or a sleeve that feels tight on one arm only. Tiny differences are usually best ignored.
This is about how clothes hang, not about health. If a difference is new or uncomfortable, that is something to ask a doctor about rather than a tailor.
Differences that change how a kameez hangs
Check your existing clothes for these signs. Each one points to a specific measurement.
- A lower shoulder: diagonal folds from the neck towards the underarm on the lower side, a hem that sits lower on that side, and a dupatta or bag that slips off that shoulder.
- A fuller arm: one sleeve tight around the upper arm or elbow while the other is comfortable.
- A longer arm: one cuff that ends higher on the wrist than the other.
- A higher hip: a side seam that swings towards the front on one side, or a kameez that rides up on one side when you walk.
Differences you can usually ignore
A difference of a few millimetres in an arm length or a shoulder, on a relaxed kameez with full or three-quarter sleeves, rarely shows. The same goes for small variations you only find when you measure carefully twice. Loose shapes like kaftans and dropped shoulders hide more than fitted ones. If you have never noticed anything in your clothes, there is usually nothing to report.
How to measure and photograph both sides
Measure both arms, both shoulder lengths (from the side of the neck to the shoulder point) and, if you suspect a hip difference, the distance from the waist to the floor on each side. A helper makes this far easier; see our tips on measuring with a helper and our measuring help page.
Then ask the helper to take a photo of you from the front, with the camera at chest height, standing relaxed with your arms by your sides. Stand as you naturally do rather than correcting your posture. That photo shows the difference far better than numbers alone. Our article on armhole and shoulder problems explains where shoulder measurements are taken.
Telling us what you want
In your quote request, give both measurements and say which side is which. Then say what you would like done with them. Some people prefer each sleeve made to its own arm; others prefer both sleeves cut to the larger arm so they look identical. For a lower shoulder, a kameez can be balanced so the hem hangs level. Your custom stitching order is then cut to those notes, and the agreed details are confirmed in writing before cutting.
Common questions
Should both sleeves be cut to my larger arm?
It depends on the style. On a loose sleeve, cutting both to the larger arm keeps them looking the same and the difference will not show. On a close sleeve, matching each arm separately feels better. Tell us which you prefer.
Would a shoulder pad even out a lower shoulder?
In structured Western jackets and dresses, a thin pad on the lower side is a common general tailoring approach. Most kameez have no pads, so balancing the cut is usually the gentler way to deal with it.
Does an uneven hem always mean my body is uneven?
No. A hem can dip because the fabric twisted off grain or because a bias section dropped. If the hem is uneven on every garment you own, though, a body difference is the more likely cause.
