How to Size Pants
Clothing manufacturers vary sizes according to brand and style. Take your own measurements to get a customized fit for pants, tailor your trousers or customize a pattern to sew your own pants. Many brands have general, regular sizes for women between 5-foot-4 and 5-foot-10, with adjustments for the "petite" and "tall" builds. Children's pants sizes can vary according to body proportions as they grow. You can save money and widen your options by purchasing standard-sized pants and tailoring them to fit your body measurements. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Men
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1
Measure the following dimensions with a loose hold on your tape measure:
Natural waist
Top of foot to crotch (for your inseam measurement)
Natural waist to top of foot (for the overall length)
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2
Write down the following measurements:
Height
Waist
Inseam
Length
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3
Check whether your height measurement puts you in the "regular" build category by comparing your height and waist measurements against your brand's size chart. For example, JC Penney's men's size chart for a regular build (of height 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-11) is:
Regular small: Waist = 28 to 30 inches
Regular medium: Waist = 32 to 34 inches
Regular large: Waist = 36 to 38 inches
Regular extra large: Waist = 40 to 42 inches
Regular extra extra large: Waist = 44 to 46 inches
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4
Check whether your height measurement puts you in the "tall" build category by comparing your height and waist measurements against your brand's size chart. For example, JC Penney's men's size chart for a tall build (of height 6 feet to 6-foot-3) is:
Tall medium: Waist = 32 to 34 inches
Tall large: Waist = 36 to 38 inches
Tall extra large: Waist = 40 to 42 inches
Tall extra extra large: Waist = 44 to 46 inches
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5
Measure your pant leg according to your inseam and length. Fold and hem accordingly.
Women
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6
Measure the following dimensions with a loose hold on your tape measure:
Natural waist
Hips
Top of foot to crotch (for your inseam measurement)
Natural waist to top of foot (for the overall length)
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7
Write down the following measurements:
Height
Waist
Hips
Inseam
Length
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8
Compare your height measurement against the "build" category in your brand's size chart. For example, JC Penney's misses size chart has the following build categories:
Petite: Height = 4-foot-11 to 5-foot-3
Regular: Height = 5-foot-3 1/2 to 5-foot-7 1/2
Tall: Height = 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-11
Ultra tall: Height = 5-foot-11 1/2 to 6-foot-2
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9
Compare your waist and hip measurements against your brand's size chart according to your build category. For example, JC Penney's misses size chart for regular, tall and ultra tall builds uses the same size chart:
Size 0 (extra small): Waist = 24 inches and hips = 34.5 inches
Size 2 (extra small):: Waist = 25 inches and hips = 35.5 inches
Size 4 (small): Waist = 26 inches and hips = 36.5 inches
Size 6 (small): Waist = 27 inches and hips = 37.5 inches
Size 8 (medium): Waist = 28 inches and hips = 38.5 inches
Size 10 (medium): Waist = 29 inches and hips = 39.5 inches
Size 12 (large): Waist = 30.5 inches and hips = 41 inches
Size 14 (large): Waist = 31 to 32 inches and hips = 42.5 inches
Size 16 (extra large): Waist = 33.5 inches and hips = 44 inches
Size 18 (extra large): Waist = 35.5 inches and hips = 46 inches
Size 20 (extra extra large): Waist = 37.5 inches and hips = 48 inches
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10
Measure your pant leg according to your inseam and length. Fold and hem accordingly, if needed.
Children
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11
Measure the following dimensions with a loose hold on your tape measure:
Natural waist
Hips (for your seat)
Top of foot to crotch (for your inseam measurement)
Natural waist to top of foot (for the overall length)
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12
Write down the following measurements:
Height
Waist
Seat
Inseam
Length
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13
Compare your child's height, waist and seat measurements to identify the "build" category in your brand's size chart. For example, JC Penney's kid's size chart has the following guidelines for build categories according to frame and body proportions for boys and girls (note: the difference between the waist and seat can be greater for girls):
Slim: Small frame and thin body where the waist is about 5 to 6 inches less than the seat
Regular: Average frame and proportions where the waist is about 4 to 5 inches less than the seat
Plus or husky: Fuller body in proportion to height where the waist measurement is greater than 27 inches and is about 4 to 6 inches less than the seat.
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14
Compare your child's waist and seat measurements against your brand's size chart. For example, JC Penney's kid's regular (build) size chart is:
Girls size 7 (small): Waist = 23 inches and seat = 27 inches
Girls size 8 (small): Waist = 23 inches and seat = 29 inches
Boys size 8 (small): Waist = 23 inches and seat = 27 inches
Girls size 10 (medium): Waist = 24 inches and seat = 29 inches
Boys size 10 (medium): Waist = 24 inches and seat = 28 inches
Girls size 12 (medium): Waist = 25 inches and seat = 31 inches
Boys size 12 (medium): Waist = 26 inches and seat = 30 inches
Girls size 14 (large): Waist = 26 inches and seat = 34 inches
Boys size 14 (large): Waist = 27 inches and seat = 32 inches
Girls size 16 (large): Waist = 27 inches and seat = 36 inches
Boys size 16 (large): Waist = 28 inches and seat = 34 inches
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15
Measure your pant leg according to your inseam and length. Fold and hem accordingly.
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1
Tips & Warnings
All brands vary slightly in sizing. Check the sizing chart for your specific brand or store (such as Gap or Old Navy).
Buy pants that fit in the waist and rise and take them in (i.e., tailor them) along the leg seams and bottom hem, if needed.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit measuring image by anna karwowska from Fotolia.com
