Hip and waist measurements when you order trousers online
Short answer: Measure your hips and waist with a tape measure before you order trousers online, and compare the numbers with the size chart. The hips are measured at the widest point and the waist at the narrowest. That way you avoid most wrong purchases and a lot of the trouble of sending clothes back.
Why measurements matter more than the label
The size on a label varies from brand to brand and from model to model. A measurement in centimeters is the same every time, so it gives you a reliable basis for comparison. When you know your own measurements, you can use the table on the product page instead of guessing from the size you usually buy.
How to measure your waist
Place the tape around your body at the narrowest point, which is usually a little above the navel. Stand relaxed and do not pull your stomach in. The tape should lie level all the way around and sit snug without squeezing, so that you can slide a finger under it. Write the number down right away.
How to measure your hips
Take the hip measurement at the widest point over your seat and hips while your feet stand together. Hold the tape level and check in a mirror that it is not hanging at an angle. Many people measure too high or too low, so take it twice. If you are looking for a style, see bamboo trousers for women, where the tables show both waist and hip.
When your two measurements point in different directions
It is common for waist and hips to fall into two different sizes. As a rule, choose by the measurement that is hardest to give room to, often the hips, and check whether the waist then becomes too loose. An elastic waistband can make a slightly loose waist easy to live with, while tight hips rarely become comfortable.
Rise and inseam count as well
Besides waist and hips, the rise matters, which is the distance from crotch to waistband. If it is low, the trousers sit at the hips, and if it is high, they sit near the navel. Also measure your inside leg from crotch to ankle, so you know whether the model will be too long or too short.
Fabric and stretch give some room
A fabric with stretch gives more than a stiff one, so the measurements do not have to match to the millimeter. Bamboo in clothing is viscose made from bamboo, and some models have a little stretch, but that is stated in the product description. Always read the table and the description before you choose a size.
Measure in thin clothing, not over thick fabric
Measure on your body in thin clothing or underwear, so thick fabric does not inflate the number. If you want soft trousers for home, compare with bamboo sleepwear for women, where the fit is often looser. For a close fitting top, you can also look at the women's long-sleeved bamboo T-shirt.
Check the trousers when they arrive
Try the trousers on, sit down, walk around and bend your knees before you cut off any tags. The waistband should lie flat without cutting in, and the thighs should not pull. If they do not fit, you have your measurements as a starting point for choosing another size and can reorder calmly.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I measure my hips?
Measure around the widest point over your seat and hips while your feet stand together and the tape lies level. Take the measurement twice so you are sure it is correct.
Should I measure my waist above or below the navel?
Measure at the narrowest point, which is often a little above the navel. Stand relaxed, do not pull your stomach in, and let the tape sit snug without squeezing, so a finger fits underneath.
What if my waist and hips fit two different sizes?
Usually choose by the measurement that is hardest to give room to, often the hips. Then check whether the waist becomes too loose, and see whether the model has an elastic waistband.
