Hip measurement and where you hit the widest point
Short answer: Measure around the widest point across the seat, not at the hip bones. The difference between the two spots is often eight centimeters.
The common mistake
Many people place the tape at the hip bones because it feels like the hip at first, but that is not the same point. The widest spot sits lower, around the fullest part of the seat. Measure too high and everything you order ends up too tight across the seat, even if the rest fits.
How to find the spot
Stand with your feet together in front of a mirror and let your arms hang down. Move the tape slightly up and down until the number becomes as large as possible. That is your hip measurement. Keep the tape horizontal all the way round and check it does not sag or sit crooked at the back.
What the number is used for
Hip measurement is the most important figure for panties, underpants, trousers and skirts, since the fabric needs enough room exactly there. For low waisted trousers, hip measurement matters more than waist. See bamboo panties and bamboo underpants for men.
When the hip decides the size
Always choose based on the largest of the measurements a garment covers, never an average of them. If the hip is two sizes larger than the waist, choose by the hip and have the waist taken in afterward. See women's bamboo pants.
Why the shape of the seat matters
Body shape varies far more at the hip than at the waist, and two people with the same waist can have several centimeters difference in hip measurement. That is why it pays to measure yourself rather than assume a previous size from another brand still applies.
Measure through clothing with care
A thin layer such as underwear or leggings barely affects the result, but thick jeans or several layers certainly do. Remove as much as possible before measuring, so the number reflects your body rather than whatever you happened to wear that day.
Using a pair of trousers you know
If you own trousers with a hip fit you know works well, lay them flat and measure seam to seam across the widest point, then double the figure. Remember to add a little if the fabric already sits stretched tight over the hip.
Hip measurement and rise are connected
A high hip measurement often means low waisted trousers sit differently than expected, because the widest point shifts. Always check whether a brand's size chart states where the hip measurement was taken, higher or lower on the hip.
Use hip measurement alongside the other numbers
A single figure rarely tells the whole story about fit. Compare hip measurement with waist and chest, and look at how large the difference is between them before choosing an overall size for a garment.
Frequently asked questions
Should I measure with clothes on
Only a thin layer like underwear or tights. Trousers with thick seams or several layers stacked together give a number that ends up artificially too large.
What if my seat is quite flat
Then the widest point usually sits higher than expected. The method stays the same: move the tape around and find the largest number, wherever it happens to be.
Is hip measurement also used for tops
For long tops, dresses and tunics yes, since the fabric needs to clear the hip without pulling tight. For short T-shirts it usually matters much less.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
