How to Measure Your Jeans Size For The Best-Fitting Denim of Your Life

Your Best Jeans Are Waiting for You

Black woman wearing white top and blue jeans

Dion Lamar Mills for Byrdie

If you know how to measure your jeans size, lengthened legs, a lifted butt, and enhanced curves are just an add-to-cart away. But, how can you measure your jeans size accurately, especially if you're shopping online? Keep on scrolling. We've tapped the pros to help us compile a step-by-step guide to finding your jeans size—and, consequently, the denim of your dreams. So take a deep breath, pick up a tape measure, and dive in: the most flattering fit of your life is just a few measurements away.

Measure Your Favorite Pair of Jeans

If you already own a pair of perfect-fitting jeans (lucky you), you can use the measurements as a guide for other brands. Here's how:

  1. Lay your zipped and buttoned jeans flat on a hard surface and, using your measuring tape, measure across the top of the waist. When you get this number, double it for your jeans' waist measurement. (Remember that this measurement varies depending on the rise, AKA the distance from the crotch seam to the waist).
  2. Measure the inseam, the distance from the crotch seam to the ankle hem.
  3. Measure the width of the thigh. Take this measurement two inches below the crotch seam and then double it for your thigh measurement.
  4. The last measurement you need is the rise. Pull the waist tight when you take this measurement to get the most accurate number. FYI: Low-rise jeans generally measure seven or eight inches from crotch to waist, mid-rise is eight or nine inches, and high-rise is nine or 10 inches.

Your Body's Best Rise

Woman's backside wearing jeans with hands on back pocket

Lucas Lenzi / Unsplash

Once you've got your measurements, you'll also want to figure out what kind of rise is right for you. There are three types:

  • Low-rise: typically sits two or three inches below the belly button or sometimes even lower.
  • Mid-rise: usually fits right around or immediately beneath the navel and is the most commonly sold rise across all styles (skinny, bootcut, straight leg, and flares).
  • High-rise: sits at or slightly above the navel.

Experiment with the tape measure and compare jeans you already own to decide how far up you like them to sit on your waist. Your rise mostly comes down to personal preference, but it's also worth noting how certain rises can flatter your body type more so than others—in case that's something that interests you. Also, if you're planning on wearing jeans to the office, you might want to consider what's work-appropriate. Those super-low rise jeans you've been eyeing might be Bella Hadid-approved, but they won't offer you decent backside coverage when you're sitting, bending, and walking in front of colleagues—and your boss. Opt for a medium- or higher-rise pair instead.

Measure Your Waistline

It's also important to know the rise of jeans you'll be shopping for when it comes time to measure your waist. Measurements for your natural waistline should be taken from your natural crease (tip: you can bend at the waist to your side to find it.) For mid-rise jeans, you'll want to measure right around your navel, and for low rise jeans, two or three inches below that.

In order to get the most accurate measurements, avoid measuring over your clothes, although undergarments or lightweight clothing (think: leggings or snug shorts) are fine.

Byrdie Tip

Remember not to pull the measuring tape too tightly around your waist because you’ll want to your jeans to have a comfortable fit.

Measure Your Inseam

Patricia Manfield wearing a black tshirt and denim jeans outside Tibi on September 9, 2016 in New York City

Christian Vierig / Getty Images

The last area of your body you'll want to measure is your inseam. It relates to your leg length, or the distance between your crotch and your ankle. Many popular denim brands, including The Gap and Levi's, offer jeans in standard waist sizes with varying length options (short, regular, and tall). Since it might get a little tricky measuring this area, don't hesitate to ask for help. Again, it's best to take this measurement while you're wearing lightweight, close-fitting clothing to get true sizing.

Consult the Size Chart

Whether you're trying on jeans in-store or online, ask or look to see if a brand or retailer offers its own size chart. Some might use a sizing system in inches (e.g. 29, 30, 31) while others favor numbers (e.g. 8, 10, 12). And European jeans brands require you to estimate how their sizes compare to your most typical, U.S.-brand fit, and varies in the U.K., France, and Italy. On top of that, some denim designers are known for vanity sizing, which means you'll take a smaller size in their jeans than usual. In others, particularly those that are youth-oriented, you might need to go up a size.

If this all sounds overly complicated, that's because it is. Still, don't be phased by it. If you have your measurements, let them guide you in determining your jeans size (consulting a sales pro also never hurts if you're out shopping). Keep in mind that your ideal size can differ from one pair of jeans to the next. It's important that you don't get hung up on the number—it's the fit that counts, not the size on the label.

Lead image wardrobe provided by Levi's

How Many Jeans Should I Own?

Now that you've found your measurements, you're all cleared to shop for jeans. But, how many pairs is ideal? "As stylists, we probably have 100 pairs of jeans in our wardrobes, but realistically only wear three pairs on rotation," says Alix Gropper, one half of the celebrity styling duo Danielle & Alix, which is also helmed by Danielle O'Connell.

What Are the Essential Jeans Styles?

"Our essential styles are vintage Levis—vintage denim is always effortless, chic, and gives 'cool-girl,'" says Gropper. "They also have the most authentic looking washes— we definitely recommend a light wash and a dark wash, the best foundations for styling any outfit. Also ,we definitely recommend having pairs with no rips. That way they can be easily dressed up with a blazer and heel!

Pro Tip

"A pro-tip we wanted to gate-keep but will share: our favorite way to source vintage denim is through Lenny," confides Alix Gropper of celebrity styling duo Danielle & Alix. "She has a warehouse of every style and colorway, and can tailor right to you either in her LA studio or virtually."

 Gropper continues: "Some other go-to denim brands we love are Good American – the Good 90s to be specific, and the AGOLDE Carpenter. These have such a cool style, and are another great way to have a unique edge with a simple denim look."

Which Jeans Flatter Every Body Type?

"Good American just launched their Jeanius collection, which is essentially a hybrid of sweatpants and jeans," says Gropper. "It’s actually genius—and universally flattering!" The collection offers "such a great way to look and feel dressed up without wearing true denim," she adds.

Gropper and O'Connell are also "obsessed" with Parke Denim. "The brand just launched their in-house denim, and they are the perfect mix of vintage and everyday wear, and come in a range of washes," Gropper says. "They really look good on everyone! They also have the best denim shirts and polos to match, we love a denim-on-denim look, it’s timeless and always flattering."

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