What is inside leg length on shorts
Short answer: What is inside leg length on shorts? It is the distance from the crotch seam down to the hem of the leg, measured along the inside. The number tells you how far the shorts reach down the thigh, which makes it the most useful measurement for judging how short or long they will be.
What is measured
Inside leg length is measured along the inside of the leg, from the point where the two leg seams meet at the crotch down to the bottom hem. In English it is often called the inseam. The measurement says nothing about the waist or how high the shorts sit, only about the length of the leg on the inside.
What is inside leg length in practice
When you ask what is inside leg length in practice, the answer is that it decides whether the shorts end mid thigh, just above the knee or at the knee. A short inside leg gives a short leg, and a long one a longer leg. It is the number you can compare between two pairs.
How to measure it yourself
Take a pair of shorts you already like and lay them flat. Measure from the crotch seam along the inner seam down to the hem and write the number down. Then you have a figure to use as a starting point for new shorts, and you do not have to guess the length.
Leg length and height
Your height and the length of your thighs affect how the same inside leg length looks. A length that ends mid thigh on a tall man can reach the knee on a shorter one. That is why the number is only part of the answer, and you should also think about how it looks on you.
Waist and leg length go together
If the shorts sit low on the hips, the leg ends a little further down than with a high waist, even though the inside leg length is the same. Look at both the waist and the inside leg when you compare. A big difference in waist height can make two pairs with the same number look very different.
Length for different uses
For sport many choose shorter shorts that give freedom to move, while relaxed wear often does well with a medium length. On warm days in town a length just above the knee is very common. Choose by what you are going to do and what feels good when you walk.
Care and length
Shorts of viscose from bamboo can change slightly in length with washing and drying, so follow the care instructions in the garment and avoid harsh drying. That keeps the inside leg length steady and lets you trust your measurement. See the selection in bamboo shorts for men.
With socks and a T-shirt
When you choose inside leg length, think about what you wear before and after. With short shorts more of the leg shows, and short socks such as bamboo tennis socks for men go well with them. On top, a bamboo T-shirt for men that ends around the waistband works.
Frequently asked questions
What does inseam mean
Inseam is the English word for inside leg length, the distance from the crotch seam to the bottom hem of the leg, measured along the inside.
How do I find my inside leg length
Measure a pair of shorts you already like, from the crotch seam to the hem. You can use the number as a starting point the next time you buy.
How long is a normal inside leg length on shorts
It varies a lot and depends on the model and your height. Treat the number as a way to compare, and choose the length that looks best to you.
