How do I correctly take measurements, to determine correct pants/trouser size?
I’ve recently lost a lot of weight 315.6lbs down to 180lbs and now have some loose skin. When I measure across my belly button, my waist is 40". If I measure lower down—around where I normally wear my boxer briefs, the measurement is 39". I believe that’s called the “high hip” measurement.
Here’s where I get confused:
If I buy suit trousers designed to sit at the natural waist, a size 40" feels too loose.
A size 37" actually feels like it fits better.
Am I right to trust how the trousers feel, or am I misunderstanding how they’re supposed to fit?
172 Replies
Hi @Miss Yap Queen Continental! For better answers, include:
- Reference pictures
- Budget in numbers
- Specific measurements
- Openness to buying secondhand and/or online
- Location: country/continent is fine
- Timing/urgency
https://www.charlestyrwhitt.com/uk/ultimate-non-iron-chinos---navy/TRC0270NAV.html?cgid=trousers-chinos&pf=browse&dwvar_TRC0270NAV_variation-fit=classic_fit#cm_sp=TIB-trousers-chinos_classic-fit&cgid=trousers-chinos&start=1 I was wanting to buy a pair of these, but am unsure how to determine the correct size / where they should sit on my body.
Ultimate Non-Iron Chinos - Navy | Charles Tyrwhitt
Buy our Ultimate Non-Iron Chinos - Navy exclusively from Charles Tyrwhitt of Jermyn Street, London. Available for international delivery.
You should buy stuff that fits how you want it too (or within tailoring region). Tag size is a lie. Actual measurements are king (but harder to get).
generally measuring on the body is worse than measuring clothes, find a pair of pants you already like how they fit and get the flat lay waist and rise of them.
I'm not sure vanity sizing is really a thing here in the UK, I purchased a pair of suit trousers recently for a wedding tried them on in store and the waist measurement as 37" - when I measured them at home they were 18.5" across so matched the actual waist measurement - and I wore them around my belly button since I knew suit trousers are supposed to be worn there.
From your earlier comments, for me I look at the rise measurement. I know roughly what "waist" I need at 11, 12, 13 and 14 rise.
For me, my actual "waist"/marrowest measurement at my navel is a 15 rise which nearly no trousers are cut for.
Try stuff on,.
trust how you feel, because you're going to be wearing the clothes for hours at a time. if the 37" waist pant fits how you want then go with it; it's not your fault the corporation made weird choices
How do I workout the rise? Womens clothes here will often tell you if they're high, mid or low rise - mens clothes here don't do that
i mean the CT pants you linked are vanity sized it very much is
like the pair of chinos above tell you nothing about that
I'm in the UK, vanity sizing is a massive thing here.
How do you workout the rise?
Measure from the waistband to where the seams meet in the crotch
go off the measurement itself (waistband to crotch seam); one brand's 11" may be 'medum' while another brand's 11" may be "high".
most brands should tell you, CT doesnt beacuse they are evil idk
honestly sometimes the pants i wear are above the belly button or below the belly button; it depends on the pants themselves (physically).
I did this with those suit trousers and it was 18.5" and they fit comfortably - so the waist measurement of 37" was correct. Yet, if I measure my waist e.g. with a measuring tape across my belly button its 40" - when I tried on a pair that was 40" it was far too loose. - Now those were easy because I know suit trousers are designed to be worn at the natural waist - my problem is when shopping, like those chinos I am looking at - I can never tell where they're supposed to be worn because it doesn't tell you the rise or I can't figure it out.
what was the measured rise of the suit trousers
ah okay, and the end bit.. is where my balls sit comfortably right? like at my crotch area
measure the rise on the pants you already have in inches. and dont buy pants that wont tell you a rise measure in inches
I'll go measure now 2 ses
The annoying answer for me was I just had to try a bunch of stuff on. I kept a note on my phone of what brands fit which way
okay so the suit trouser rise I think is 12" if I measured it correctly
I've literally never seen a brand here in the UK tell you the rise
like if I go into a clothing store say Next or idk wherever, I have not once in my 34yrs seen it tell me a rise measurement unless its womens clothing
if shopping online look for brands that give you a rise (and ideally 12"); feel free to ask the chatbot/q&a email if they don't
if shopping in person carry a measuring tape (seriously it is not weird once you do it once) and measure the rise. try on stuff that's 12" or so
but then how do I workout from the rise, if the trousers/shorts etc are desigend to be worn at the natural waist or the hips etc
its just a number
sorry am not trying to be awkward, am just confused lol
it's just a number
it takes a bit of learning for what those numbers mean to you
You're overthinking this: try it on, does it look how I want.
i know i like 12"+ rise to wear high waisted but i learned that from trying on lots of stuff
You're in the UK, we have a statutory return period
I personally prefer to wear my trousers at/around my hip area where I would wear boxer briefs - which unless I am mistaken, most guys aren't pulling them up to their natural waist but at what I think is the high-hip measurement area
above where your pubic area would be / above the ass
like oman said it'll help to think in terms of "does this look how i want it to"
its just confusing when shopping online I guess with knowing where its supposed to sit
so then knowing which measurement to use - because waist measurement doesn't always mean natural waist measurement
do you have a pair of pants that fit good and sit where you want them to
if yes take the rise and waist on them
look for simmilar
Again, in the UK we have generous return periods. Try stuff on and return. Ideally measure stuff so you get familiar with what works for you. This opens a wonder of ebay etc where you can buy clothes that retail at crazy money at a fraction of sale price.
Yeh those suit trousers I have which are 37" and 12" rise they sit at my belly button though - and I don't typically like wearing my trousers that high as a lot of trousers don't seem to be designed to be worn that high
unless they're suit trousers
I'll have to do that then
am curious, what UK brands do you know of which give the rise measurement etc
The UK brand : https://communityclothing.co.uk/
Community Clothing
UK made sustainable, ethical clothing & accessories for men and women
Community Clothing was established by Patrick Grant with a simple goal; to sell quality, affordable, sustainable and ethical men's & women's clothing, whilst creating jobs & restoring economic prosperity in the UK’s most deprived areas. All clothes made in UK including Jeans, Sweatshirts, Coats, T-Shirts and Basics.
I guess am just confused why my natural waist is 40" but I can fit comfortably into 37" suit trousers lol
Then they don’t sit how you want them to. If you don’t have any that sit lower you do just have to try stiff on until you find one you like then use that as a reference
Vanity sizing!
what do you mean? If I lay them flat, buttoned up and measure across they are 18.5" which matches up with it being a 37" waist as advertised
Your waist sounds like it might be bigger than your hips - my waist is a lot smaller than my hips. So if the waist measurement is taken at our hips we could be a "different size".
10" and below = low rise, 10-12" mid rise, 12+ = high rise (usually 13 or 14")
thats a rule of thumb
https://communityclothing.co.uk/collections/mens-chinos-trousers/products/mens-chino-stretch-tobacco?variant=47325954310421 - these don't give rise
Community Clothing
Men's Slim Lightweight Stretch Cotton Twill Chinos - Tobacco
FitCut with a slim, straight leg.Available in 30'', 32" and 34" inside leg.FabricLightweight 215g cotton stretch twill. 98% cotton 2% lycra.We do not garment wash our chinos, there may be up to 3% shrinkage upon first wash.MadeCut & sewn in Blackburn, UK.StyleFlat front, zip fly and button.Two side pockets and one
it just gives you inside leg measurement / waist
dont buy pants that wont tell you a rise measure in inchesif thats not possible, then you'll have to try stuff on in person or buy stuff with a return policy
but he gave them as an example of a brand that supposedly tells you rise measure
and I am trying to say I have NEVER seen a brand in the UK tell you rise measure
My bad, they have definitely used to give rise measurement.
so by your logic, I'd never buy clothes
no, ud go in person
get a feel for ur sizing first by trying more pants
thats easiest done by going in person
out of curiosity, when you wore the 37" suit pants, was there a lot of fabric trailing or bunching at the bottom?
that's easier done when you don't live on an island that is 200 miles off the coast of the UK lol
I can't just walk into a store
then order online from stores with good return policies
I got a pic two secs I can show
Where do you live?
if you wanna just go for safe purchases, buy from uniqlo or similar. they have item measurements on all their stuff, a return policy, and good QC consistency (vs something like levis where everything fits different)
Isles of Scilly
it's off the coast of Penzance in Cornwall
was wondering if you were gonna say outer hebrides or something ngl
What's your budget?
I've spent £900 on jeans ... so not really got a budget lol
So you can afford to buy and return things.
I can't see a rise measurement on these chinos from uniqlo
Yeh the issue isn't being able to buy and return things lol I'd just like to know where stuff is supposed to sit
before buying it lol
I've always found a lot of chinos, shorts etc will give you a waist measurement - but its very rare its actually supposed to be worn at what is your actual waist
You buy things, you decide if you like how it looks, you return or not.
majority of the time it seems to be designed to be worn at the high hip, so same area where your boxers would sit
Find my size -> size chart
I guess I am just worried I'd look stupid because its not actually how its supposed to be worn? idk
I think as well having loose skin has made it tough to get accurate measurements lol
the answer is "it depends"
like I know that's adding inches - my surgeon has told me that my waist etc will lose quite a few inches once the loose skin is removed
again, 10" and below = low rise, 10-12" mid rise, 12+ = high rise (usually 13 or 14")
you can google photos of low/mid/high rise pants
if you just wanna err safely, you said u liked ur existing pants with a 12" mid rise
get pants that match those measurements
Yeh, but those sit at my natural waist and I don't really like my trousers sitting at my belly button
do u like how those fit or not lol
okay do you like the pants to sit higher or lower than that
I prefer them to be at my 'hips' where I'd wear my boxers
so lower?
ok then get a low rise pant lol
like 10"
its not really complex
get pants with an 10/11" rise
inseam may also be affected by this (e.g. pants pooling at your feet), but that's a much easier problem to solve - hem the pant legs if needed
now am worried I might be wearing boxers wrong lol
alr
just wear it at whatever height is comfortable for u
and buy more clothes that fit at the height u want
this is crazily overcomplicating it
I am supposed to wear them in the high-hip area right? like just above the pubic region
IT DEPENDS
no ones seeing ur boxers, who cares
what rise are your boxers
honestly i think the thread should be locked at this point
four different pants, four different rises
I like wearing my boxers where this dude has them, same with where I like my trousers
read through it, digest the advice
so wear them there
soon dw
everyone get your boxer pics in now
your username really wasn't hyperbole lol
okay so like
i don't know how long this guy's legs are or how long your legs or how long the rise on these boxers are to be able to make a 1-1 comparison
because of this lack of information i cannot give any nice easy "this is where to wear your pants"
well I don't know either because it goes back to - I've never seen a brand give a rise measurement and I think most men typically wear their boxers like the dude in that pic - if I google boxer briefs 99.99% of the pics they're all worn at the same area.
which is what I'd consider the high hip measurement
it sounds like you probably want pants with a 10 or 11 inch rise. measure pants in store or else ask the customer service online for a rise measurement. if they're 10 or 11 inches buy them
I'll do that
ty
I guess what I was wanting to know just doesn't have an easy answer
what's the question again
@Miss Yap Queen Continental I live in the UK and I can assure you I buy a lot of clothes and rise is one of the things I work with.
I just wanted to be able to look at a brand of chinos or trousers or w.e and know where it was supposed to sit - and you guys were saying well what does the rise measurement say and I was trying to explain I've never seen a UK brand say what the rise measurement is or say its low, mid, high etc except in womens clothing
I wanted to buy these https://www.charlestyrwhitt.com/uk/ultimate-non-iron-chinos---navy/TRC0270NAV.html?cgid=trousers-chinos&pf=browse&dwvar_TRC0270NAV_variation-fit=classic_fit#cm_sp=TIB-trousers-chinos_classic-fit&cgid=trousers-chinos&start=1 and I wasn't sure where they're supposed to sit
Ultimate Non-Iron Chinos - Navy | Charles Tyrwhitt
Buy our Ultimate Non-Iron Chinos - Navy exclusively from Charles Tyrwhitt of Jermyn Street, London. Available for international delivery.
but I guess I will just have to buy, try on and return
i also live in the UK and can second this
Just try on a lot of pants at a store, bring a tape measure and measure which ones that fits you the best.
oh easy answer, there is no supposed way
truly wear them werever is comfy
Trial and error is the answer unfortunately
so you just buy and then measure the rise and that determines where they sit for you
basically?
so for me I want 10-11" rise it sounds like
like I don't want trousers/chinos with a baggy crotch area I like them to sit well just at/below my balls to be blunt
Chopper and many others here have a lot of experience and therefore know roughly what they like
I've worn a lot of clothes I know what rise and waist work for me. I mainly buy secondhand, I ask sellers for measurements.
Yeh am just not used to all of this because like I said I was over 300lbs, so before I just purchased clothes based on well what fit which was very limited
do the opposite, take a pair of pants you own and like and measure those and use those measurements when you're shopping
but now I've lost a ton of weight I can buy clothes that I'd normally never be able to wear
so all of this is brand new to me
so I've not learned how to shop for my size really - and I just got confused because a lot of the trousers that fit me comfortably are sold as a 37/38" waist
yet my natural waist is 40" but I'd never generally wear trousers at my natural waist
Make sure that these trousers have no stretch
Don’t measure your body. Measure pants you like.
Where do you like your pants waistband to be @Miss Yap Queen Continental ?
I like wearing mine at my high-hip / where my boxers would sit - just because with the loose skin that is what is comfortable for me.
i wear high rise pants at my hips
hi
It may measure 37in but when you are wearing them the fabric could be stretching wider.
it looks great
Do you have pants that fit there?
this general area - I am just using boxers lol because that's easier for me to explain as I find 99% of mens boxers are designed to sit in the area where these two guys have theirs
i'd call that my hip area even though its not technically my hip
but what I think is called the high-hip measurement
aka just above my pubes / ass crack
you can just say hips but i love the committement to posting calvin klein models
ill be honest i have never once in my life thought about where my underwear sits
lol I like me calvin kleins
and calvin klein models
i wear my pants like this usually
little below the hips on one side
Sizing guides | How to measure yourself | Charles Tyrwhitt
Charles Tyrwhitt understands that everyone has varying body shapes and sizes, that's why we offer different fits to suit all.
notably the "waist size" differs from the actual waist circumference (vanity sizing, as chopper said)
maybe I am confused with what hips actually means, like I think of the pelvic bone - like the top of the iliac crest is just slightly above my belly button
but I wouldn't pull my boxers up that high simon cowell style
I appreciate your patience with me seriously
i feel this post has lost the plot a bit, sorry to say. Without reading up, have you considered trying the clothes on and seeing how they look?
I used the boxer images, because where those sit on those guys is what I'd call my hip area / the area I would measure and determine what 'waist' size I am buying UNLESS they're suit trousers then I'd use my actual natural waist measurement. I have just found that a lot of clothing brands when they say waist size its rarely the actual natural waist
which is what led me to wondering - well how do I determine where they're supposed to sit
I feel like OP is just trolling at this point
I'm not trolling
I've already learned a lot, I am just a bit lost.
I've just lost a ton of weight etc so its all brand new to me.
Just gonna drop three shops that offer rise measurements: https://www.brycelandsco.com/collections/trousers
https://blackhorselane.com/
https://www.cordings.co.uk/ <-- appears to not give rises for all their trousers, but you can email and ask
Bryceland's
Trousers
Meet Bryceland's iconic trousers and shorts collection. Long sleeve, short sleeve and attractive styling in a variety of colours, patterns, and stripes.
Blackhorse Lane Ateliers
Blackhorse Lane Ateliers - London's Craft Jean Makers
Blackhorse Lane Ateliers is London's only craft jeans maker. Denim garments made in London E17. Raw, selvedge and organic denim. Flagship shop Coal Drops Yard, London N1C 4DQ
Cordings
British Country Clothing & Tweed | Cordings London
Britain's most loved country clothing brand since 1839. Cordings classic country wear is crafted from the finest British tweed and traditional cloth.
https://oliverspencer.co.uk/ <--don't give rise, but do give their email address for size questions on every page
Oliver Spencer
Oliver Spencer | Designer Clothing, Shoes & Accessories ...
Mens designer clothes. Modern fits with classic quality construction. Designed in London by Oliver Spencer and made in England and the EU.
Thanks 🙂
this has been very helpful to learn as well
because then at least I can buy stuff, measure and then determine where its supposed to sit on me
Okay, it's getting late and I think anymore chat I am going to cause you guys a nervous breakdown xD
at least buying tops is easy lol I know I am 42" inch chest and don't got to worry about chest rise
also part of the issue is i think CT is using a non-ideal way to measure lol
I just get confused because the standard here in the UK or perhaps everywhere is shorts, trousers, boxers or w.e it will tell you a waist measurement - but that doesn't mean the trousers are supposed to be worn at the natural waist - so your natural waist measurement, doesn't always let you know if those trousers will fit
so it makes it confusing
also probably with me being majorly autistic I take things quite literally and I get worked up on this sort of stuff but all your guys advice has made it easier to understand so I am truly thankful
I genuinely wasn't trying to troll you guys and recognise its been frustrating for you to help me, but I do genuinely appreciate the help
will speak only for myself but assume everyone else will say: you're welcome
clothes can be hard, especially since many brands only just recently made pants with rises greater than 10" and most men didn't really have a reason to care about it
I think this is what I was trying to get at earlier - with the boxer pics - like where those are sat are what I would call the hips - so whenever I've purchased trousers before I've just measured that area - never my actual natural waist.
so I would get confused why a trouser would be sold in a 'waist' measurement when most trousers are worn at the hips or designed to be
but then of course the rise does come into play
but unless it tells you what that is, its hard to then workout okay where does this sit - but that thing above with the 10+ 12" etc and where it sits that makes a lot more sense to me
Just think of the term "waist measurement" as an easier/shorter way of saying "measurement of the hole that the wearer's torso comes out of" because that's all it is
tops is easy because I can just meausre my chest, look at the size chart and see where I am a M or an L for other brands etc
Hopefully you find a bunch of pants you like, without too much hassle of returns/retries!
so we agree its dumb to sell trousers in 'waist measurement' when 99% of them aren't actually worn at the waist lol
there's also a chance that the issue is how CT makes their pants to begin with
its not just CT though they all seem to be sold like that here in the UK
there's stuff about back rises and seats and whatnot that's probably not worth knowing BUT
I've honestly never seen a brand give you the rise measurement
As we’ve established, lots of place in the UK give rise measurements
the 10-11" rise is a guideline, not all brands may follow it
Yeh most seem to be 10-11" rise, which would be worn at the hips / boxer area
Here's another: https://gramicci.co.uk/
Gramicci
Outdoor & Urban Lifestyle Clothing | Gramicci
Classic outdoor and urban lifestyle clothing designed for those who seek adventure. Pants and tops inspired by the design of the original California climbing pant in 1982.
god made me gay, but gave me the fashion knowledge of a white straight cis male who's wife buys all his clothes from GAP and Old Navy
😭
different people wear different pants at different places, including their waist.
but in the practical application to this issue, look for pants with 10-11" rise. ask the companies to provide you a rise if they don't list it - if they want your money they will do so, if not then find another brand.
its okay alot of gay people are bad at dressing
lots of gay people are bad at dressing
the important thing is you're attempting to get better at it
wait until you hear about my struggles with shoes and my hobbit feet lmao
make a fresh thread for those, this one is already reaching its limit
any other questions dear
for YEARRRRRRRRRRRRRRS I wore a UK size 12 / EU 44 .... turns out I am UK 8.5 / 42 - I have very small feet but very very very wide feet so 9.9/10 I cannot buy standard shoes lol
Universal Works from UK also lists rise: https://universalworks.com/products/universal-works-military-chino-in-brown-upcycled-italian-tweed
so I have to wear barefoot style shoes like vivobarefoot lol as they make shoes wide enough for my shoe size
girl lmao