Last time on adventures with a Zozo suit, I squashed my way into a suit that was way too small for me. Unfortunately the company had sent me a suit that was too small, size 6. They have sent me a size 8 and everything went much better this time. You can check out the first video here.
Steps To Accurate Measurements
In the video below I follow the steps that I came up during my first try. These steps were great to help ensure that the phone app would take accurate measurements. You can use the same techniques to get accurate measurements when you use the zozo suit.
1. Suit that fits
This is not something you can affect much as the Zozo company picks the size based on your height, weight, and gender. Height and weight are not as closely connected to size, as they probably hoped. Also there is a chance that they did now know. Since they were expanding from a very “body shape similar” demographic as Japan, to a very “body shape diverse” population as the United States. They did send me a bigger suit, so let’s move on.
2. Align your dots (with a friend or mirror)
I go into lots of detail in the video, but basically you need to have a set of dots on all major body points / lines. Specifically the bust, waist, hip/butt, wrists, necks, ankles. The phone app can only see those dots, so if they are not in the right place, it cannot measure it.
3. Good lighting.
Overall lighting is the best, and in the first video I had the best luck outside. I didn’t inflict the suit on my neighbors this time, but I did set up better lighting in my basement sewing studio where I work.
Want to try it yourself?
If you’re interested in getting your own suit you can still get one for free but that may change. https://zozo.com/us/en/info/suit
Custom Clothes
You are able to make alterations to the measurements. So if you like your pants a little longer, where you know that your waist measurement is smaller that it recorded you can make these alterations before your clothing is ordered. I have ordered clothing a T-shirt and a pair of jeans which will be here in six to eight weeks which is approximately the end of May 2019. So check back to see how the custom clothes fit.
Use As A Sewing Tool
The Zozo suit is a great sewing tool. Allowing you to take measurements that are relatively accurate and will allow you to pick a good pattern size and tell you about adjustments that you may need to make. It’s not a perfect tool though and you may still need to take extra measurements. Specifically height measurements. It does not list a neck to waist measurement, which is commonly included on pattern envelopes. But it does have a neck to hip measurement, presumably for the shirts that are being ordered.
The part I really love are the leg measurements which are perfect for making leggings and tights. My hips are 1 or 2 sizes larger than my legs in most patterns, and these are going to be very useful for me to when making leggings this summer. I will just blend the legging pattern from a larger hip size to a smaller leg size. In the past I have just make them using the smaller leg size, and hoped for the best with the fabric stretch, but that tends to not leave me enough butt coverage when I sit.
Fitness & Body Tracking Tool?
I think this would also be a great tool for people tracking non scale victories when doing fitness or dieting. Having an easy way to take your body measurements is a great motivator.
Limitations!
A limitation of this suit is measuring a hidden waste as well as an underbust. Because these measurements quickly inward, the suit is not able to capture them very well. And in the case of my hidden waste, hidden by pudge oh, it was unable to actually take the measurement. So I don’t think sports bras are going to be sold by them any time soon. You are able to make alterations to the measurements for custom clothes, so at least you can work with the limitations.
Did it work?
Not perfectly. I had trouble getting my waist measurement and never got it right. However the rest of my measurements were great. My body shape makes it difficult for the app to see my waist dots, so this is not unexpected. It got my bust measurement exact right!
Have Questions? I’m Going Live!
I will be on That Sewing Blab a live video podcast on April 23, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. You can find a link to the live show at That Sewing Blab Facebook page. Where you can always find a rerun on their YouTube Duelling Designs
Join me for the Live podcast and ask me lots of questions!
Video Time!
Like Free Stuff?
Are you in the Fabric Ninja Freebie Library? You can get lots of great sewing patterns and tutorials, Like this Bag.
Want to remember this? Add this Plus Size Zozo Suit Review to you Pinterest boards.
