How to Measure For Men's Pants?

Answer 1

Unlike women’s sizing that is offered via a single number, men’s clothing often depends on multiple measurements to fit appropriately. Like women’s clothing, men’s sizes come in different types, including short, regular and tall. Short is considered to be 5’4” to 5’7”; Regular is 5’7.5” to 5’11”; and Tall is 5’11.5” and up. Just like with women’s clothing, size charts differ from merchant to merchant, so it’s best to consult the individual merchant’s size chart before you buy. Men’s pants require measuring a couple of different sizes.

The first size to consider is inseam size. Men need to be wearing shoes during this measurement. To determine the correct inseam size, measure from the crotch to where you want the pants to end, breaking at the top of the shoe in the front and just above the heel in the back. Some men buy pants in different inseam lengths to match tennis shoes, dress shoes or boots.

Waist size is measured by keeping the tape measure somewhat loose, or by putting your finger between the tape measure and your body, and then measuring around the area where you normally wear your pants. This area should be the smallest part of the natural waist. For men, pants sizes are equal to their waist sizes. While it used to be normal for men to wear their pants up to their belly buttons, that style has changed, and men don’t usually wear them that high anymore.

Hip size is sometimes needed when having tailored pants. This can be best measured around the fullest part of the hips, while standing with legs about six inches apart.

Suit pants take a somewhat different strategy. Suits come with pants that are six inches smaller up to suit size 46 and five inches smaller for suit sizes 48 and up. For example, a suit size 44 jacket comes with 38” waist pants.

Tailored pants require two additional measurements, depending on whether they’re being made to flare out or tailor in. A thigh measurement is needed to measure the circumference around the thigh and a cuff dimension measures the circumference of the cuffs.