Inside leg measured at home

Short answer: Measure from the crotch to the floor with no shoes on, standing against a wall. This figure decides whether trousers have the right length.

How to measure yourself alone

Stand with your back against a wall, no shoes, feet slightly apart. Press a book up against the crotch horizontally until it touches the wall, then mark the top edge with a finger or a piece of tape. Measure from that mark down to the floor. That is your inseam, ready to use.

Measure the trousers instead

Even easier: lay a pair of trousers that fits well in length flat on a table and measure from the crotch seam down to the leg edge. That is essentially the same figure and needs no help from another person or awkward balancing with a book.

What the length should be

For sneakers, trousers should just touch the shoe without breaking. For boots, they can be a touch longer to cover the shaft. For joggers with elastic at the ankle, choose based on how high you want the cuff to sit. See bamboo sweatpants for men.

Length changes in the wash

Trousers can shrink a couple of centimeters in a hot wash, especially ones with a high cotton content. If you have exactly the right length, wash at thirty degrees and avoid a hot tumble dryer. See bamboo jogging suit for men.

Difference between leg and trouser leg

Inseam on your own body and on a pair of trousers is not quite the same, since trousers have a little extra room at the crotch for movement. Expect trousers to measure slightly shorter than your raw leg figure, usually half to a full centimeter.

The measurement varies with posture

Stand crooked or with your weight on one leg and the crotch point shifts, making the measurement inaccurate. Stand fully upright with your weight spread evenly across both legs instead, and repeat the measurement if you are unsure of the result.

Use the figure for several trouser types

The same inseam generally applies to jeans, chinos and joggers, but very low waisted styles often need a couple of extra centimeters to fit right. Always check a style's own note, if there is one, before ordering. See women's bamboo pants.

Help from someone else adds precision

If possible, it is easier and more accurate to have someone else hold the tape while you stand fully relaxed. Alone, you risk leaning or shifting your weight, which adds a couple of centimeters of inaccuracy to the final number.

Frequently asked questions

Should I measure with or without shoes

Without shoes. Add a little afterward for the heel yourself if you typically wear shoes with a thick sole or heel.

What if my legs are different lengths

Measure both legs and use the longer of the two figures. The difference is rarely big enough to affect how the trousers actually fit.

Can trousers be shortened at home

Yes, if you can sew a straight seam or have access to a sewing machine. Otherwise it usually costs very little at a local tailor.

You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.