The purpose of the app is to help assure that garments you acquire fit the way you prefer. This is accomplished by searching a database to find garments with the actual dimensions you desire, not through their nominal size or the body dimensions they are associated with.

If you measure the key dimensions of a garment that fits you well, you can submit these to become part of the database. Once you’ve made a submission for a given garment, CheckYourFit.com allows you to automatically go to the corresponding search page to look for garments of other makes or styles with similar measurements. You may also go directly to the search page without making a submission. And of course, you can also submit measurements for garments that don't fit you well, but may fit others. The database is user-developed, and you can help by submitting measurements to it. As of launch, the CheckYourFit.com database is limited, but is expected to grow significantly with time.

CheckYourFit.com includes sketches showing you what measurements to take and where to take them. In all cases, measurements are made by laying out a garment flat, with buttons and zippers secured, and measuring straight across the garment side facing you. The database does not use any measurements going “around” the garment. Try to flatten garments so that an equal amount of material is in the front of the garment (as viewed in the sketches) and the back. The edges of the garment when laid out do not have to completely align with nearby seams, although they will often be in close alignment. In some cases it may not be possible to lay a garment completely flat, such as in the case of extra material in the seat area of slacks, or where there is overlap of material, such as where the sleeve and torso section of a blazer meet. In those cases some additional instruction is provided.

CheckYourFit is currently limited to several basic garment types in what we consider their baseline form or configuration for adults, which will constitute a significant portion of the wardrobe of many people. The problem of size in more complex or unique garment styles may be addressed at some future time. Also, other garment types are being considered for inclusion.

The app can be helpful in a variety of ways. For example, garment dimensions can be transmitted, via reference to a specific item in the app, to a tailor to procure a custom garment or for tailoring an existing one. Garment dimensions could also be sent, again via reference to the app, to others to facilitate gifts and exchanges. You might even make an inquiry to a clothing manufacturer, retailer or reseller about obtaining a garment with the desired dimensions.