How to Determine the Waist Size of Male Suit Pants

Use a flexible measuring tape when measuring a waistband.

When you have a pair of well-fitting pants, you can use the waist size as a guide for purchasing a new pair. Locating the waist size of a pair of suit pants is as easy as reading the measurement on the tag inside of the garment. However, sometimes the tag is not there. Fortunately, you can measure the waist of the pants so that you can determine what size you need.

Things You'll Need

• Pants
• Flexible measuring tape
• Alligator clip or straight pin

Instructions

1. Zip up the zipper and fasten the button or closure at the waist of the pants. Turn the pants inside out so that the inside of the waist is facing outward. This will make it easier to measure the waist area.

2. Place the pants, front-side up, on a flat surface such as a table.

3. Place the end of the flexible tape measure on the front center part of the waistband with the measurement in inches facing outward. Hold the end of the tape firmly in place or use an alligator clip or pin the tape to the waistband.

4. Fold the waistband of the pants forward in order to wrap the tape measure around the back of the waistband of the pants. Position the tape measure behind the waistband and unfold the waistband back down onto the flat surface with the tape measure lying flat underneath it. Bring the tape measure to the front center of the waistband in order to meet with the end of the tape measure where you first started measuring.

5. Read and record the measurement. This is the waist size of the suit pants.

Tips & Warnings

• Ensure that the tape measure is flat up against the waistband all the way around in order to obtain an accurate measurement.

• Flexible tape measures made of plastic often stretch and do not reflect accurate measurements. Check the accuracy of a plastic tape by measuring it against a metal tape measure.

References

• Exec Style: Measurement Information
• Sewing: Trouser Measurements