Here's a great tip if you aren't able to waltz up to the changing rooms of your favourite department store & try on a fab looking outfit.

All you need is a peice of string, or strong ribbon. Hopefully you will also have some women's clothes that already fit properly.

First tie a knot in one end of the string. Then, take an item of clothing that fits, say a skirt, and measure the waistband by pulling it flat & holding the knot on one side of the waistband & pulling the string to the other side. Mark the point at which the waistband ends, and tie another knot at that point.

The next time you go shopping, all you have to do is pull your peice of string out of your pocket and measure it against the waistband of the skirt you want to buy. This can be done so discreetly that nobody will bat an eyelid.

I have actually got one piece of string with 4 knots: one each for the thigh area of trousers, waistband of skirt / trousers, bust and shoulders meaning I can instantly tell if I will fit any garment I like the look of. Just make sure when tying your knots, you start with the shortest measurement first progressing through the longer measurements, otherwise you'll end up shortening the measurements you already have, with each knot you add.