How to measure for wide-leg pants
A guide to taking body measurements with a soft tape so your trousers fit through the waist and hem.
3 min read
Measuring the waist on high rises
Locate your natural waist at the narrowest point of your torso above the hip bones. High-rise trousers sit directly over this narrow section rather than on the shelf of the pelvis. Wrap a soft tape around that line. Keep the tape level with the floor and breathe normally. Do not suck in your stomach.
Our V-cross waistband anchors at this narrower line to keep the fabric secure during movement. If you measure lower down where jeans with a mid rise sit, you will record a number that is two inches too large. Record your true natural waist in inches before checking the chart.
Finding the fullest hip measurement
Stand with your heels together on a flat surface. Wrap the tape around the widest part of your hips and over the peak of your glutes. Check the side view in a mirror to ensure the tape does not dip or slant across the back. Slide two fingers under the tape to preserve ease.
Our four-way stretch fabric accommodates hip curves without pulling the pockets open. If the hip measurement feels tight, the front cargo pockets may gap or flare outward when you walk. A relaxed hip measurement keeps the wide-leg drape straight from the upper thigh down to the hem.
Selecting the correct inseam length
Measure from the center of the crotch seam straight down the inside of your leg to the floor. Do this while barefoot. If you plan to wear shoes with thick soles, add the height of the sole to that number. Wide hems should rest a half inch above the ground.
We draft our wide-leg patterns with Petite, Standard, and Tall inseam lengths on the same waist size. Petite runs around 29 inches, Standard measures 31 inches, and Tall measures 33 inches. The leg opening stays wide across all three lengths, but the knee placement shifts to match shorter or longer femur lengths.
Choosing between two chart sizes
Compare your waist and hip numbers to our size table. If your waist falls on a small and your hips match a medium, choose the medium. High-rise waists on our patterns stretch to fit, but tight hips pull on the zip pockets and stress the side seams.
Fabric weight also influences the drape. Our opaque stretch material rebounds when pulled, so choosing the larger size prevents the cargo pockets from bulging under tension. You get clean lines through the thigh and a smooth waistband that sits flat against the lower back.
Caring for stretch woven fabric
Wash trousers in cold water on a gentle cycle to preserve the recovery of the stretch fibers. High heat breaks down spandex threads over time, which causes bagging at the knees and a loose waistband. Hang the pants to dry or tumble dry on low heat.
Remove the pants promptly from the dryer to prevent deep wrinkles across the wide hems. You can iron them on a low synthetic setting if needed, but the smooth knit fabric sheds most creases after a short period on a hanger.
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