How to Measure Yourself for a Colombian Faja (Step by Step)
Updated: September 2026
To choose a Colombian faja size you need a soft measuring tape, your waist and hip measurements (plus bust or neck depending on the garment) and the size chart of the exact product you are buying. Sizes change between brands and between styles, so don't use your size in another faja as a reference.
What do you need?
- A soft sewing tape measure (not a metal one).
- A mirror, or someone to help keep the tape level.
- Thin underwear or bare skin on the area you measure.
Stand relaxed, don't pull your stomach in, and don't tighten the tape: it should sit flat against the body without pressing into the skin.
How to measure each area
Waist
Wrap the tape around the narrowest part of your torso, usually just above the belly button. Keep it parallel to the floor and read it at the end of a normal breath out.
Hips
Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your buttocks, feet together. Check in the mirror that it doesn't ride up in the back.
Bust (for fajas with a bra and for bras)
Measure around the fullest part of the bust wearing an unpadded bra. Some charts also ask for the underbust.
Neck (for chin straps)
Measure around the base of the neck. Chin straps have their own chart; see how to choose a chin strap.
How to read the size chart
- Open the chart of the product you are buying. At shapeconcept.co every product page has its own.
- Find the row where both your waist and hips fit.
- If your waist falls in one size and your hips in another, read the product description to see where the style compresses most. If you are unsure how to read the chart, message us before you buy.
- If the faja is for after surgery and your surgeon gave you a size or compression level, follow it.
Common measuring mistakes
- Pulling the tape tight to get a smaller size.
- Measuring over jeans or thick clothes.
- Using your clothing size (S, M, L) instead of inches or centimeters.
- Copying the size you wear in another faja brand.
What if it doesn't fit when it arrives?
Try it on as soon as it arrives, with the tags on. At Shape Concept we accept exchanges and returns within 30 days, unworn and with tags; the customer pays return shipping. Keep in mind a new Colombian faja feels firm: it is a compression garment.
FAQ
What time of day should I measure?
Always at the same time, for example in the morning, because the abdomen can change during the day.
Inches or centimeters?
Whichever unit the product chart uses. 1 inch equals 2.54 centimeters.
Is the size the same across Colombian brands?
No. Each brand, and sometimes each style, has its own chart. Always check the chart of the product you are buying.
Where do I find each faja's chart?
On each product page at shapeconcept.co, next to the photos.
