Uhm, need help understanding sizes on jeans

[Melissa M]

I remember long ago, it was just waist and inseam.  Now, its waist, inseam, rise, hipster, low, skinny, stretch, and gods only know how many else.  Like for instance, if I want to have hipster, meaning they hang on my hips, obviously that is not where my waist is, so waist measurement is not correct?  Right?  Where do I measure if I want to wear them? 

More confusion to my already confused life.  Any ideas would be appreciated.  Thanks.

[lizbeth]

waist size is always the size around your waste. most online retailers have a size chart that will also list hip measurement if you are still unsure. if you normally wear a 6 in regular cut you will wear a 6 in hipsters. you may find that you can actually wear a size or 2 smaller since most tg women wear a size larger to compensate for the lack of a defined waist. for this reason lowrise/hipster is my preferred cut.

[Nicky]

I think the only way you know for sure is just to try them on. Sizes are not consistent between brands either.

[placeholdername]

Yeah, my system was a thorough study of sizing charts + measuring myself, and then trial and error.  Luckily for me, I succeeded on 1st try (size 7) .

[Kaori]

I agree with Nicky on this one, sizes are definitely not consistent between brands.

I probably could have provided a link that could have articulated this better than I am about to, but I was feeling saucy and opinionated when I hit reply... so here goes.

As far as jeans are concerned, waist and length are still pretty much the 2 important factors.  If you know your waist size and the length of jean that best fits you -- then your body type and preference of fashion will help determine the other intricacies.

For example, each size of jeans may come in: average, petite, short, medium, long, regular... etc.
Your typical "waist and length" measurement still applies, it's just that these will vary just a little bit in length.

The style of the jean can be: bootcut, flared, skinny, straight, tapered, wide... etc.
Your typical "waist and length" measurement still applies, these simply determine how fashionably tight or loose the jeans will wrap around your legs.

However the designer defines them, if there are different waist styles they are typically broken down into: above the waist, at the waist, below the waist, and extremely low.  The "size and length" still applies, this just determines how much waist will be exposed while wearing those jeans.

It really isn't that complicated, it's just getting to know the new brands sizes.  The best you can do is just try on a few of the jeans before your purchase.  If they have an online site, check out their size chart before hand and possibly the availability if you're the least bit concerned they may not have your size in stock.

Happy shopping!

[kyril]

Coming from someone born with a female body: Women's pants sizes aren't intended to make sense. The numbers on the pants don't relate to any measurable number on your body.

Compare yourself to other women to get a general idea of the size range to look for. If you're really, really (preteen-level) tiny, you want a size 0-2. Small but with a little curve is 4-6. A little extra curve or slight chubbiness puts you in the 8-10 range. If you have a large frame or are mildly overweight, look at 12-14. That should give you a general range of sizes you'll want to be grabbing off the racks and hauling to the fitting rooms - but if the first pair you try is far too big or far to small, adjust your size range accordingly.

The length is going to relate to your height and leg length as compared to the average woman. If you're 5'4 or below, try short/petite; 5'5-5'7 is probably regular; anyone taller is probably a tall/long.

The overwhelming majority of women's jeans are now stretch denim. They're designed to fit very closely and flex with your body. If you prefer close-fitting clothes, you may like this.

Then just pick a cut that you like. Hipster and low-rise are the most flattering and least likely to restrict your breathing, and no, they won't go anywhere near your waist. Stick with these. The other terms refer to the shape of the leg. Boot cut and flare (these are cut differently from men's boot cut and flare) are shaped to flatter and emphasize curves. Skinny and tapered cuts simply reveal your body's shape in the same way leggings might. Skinny or tapered jeans tucked into boots give the same silhouette as boot cut or flare though.

Don't buy online or through catalogues until you've found a brand, style, and size (you need to take note of all 3) that you can live with. Go to a store and try on jeans. Plan to spend hours - it seems like most girls do. When I was attempting to present as female, I didn't spend nearly enough time selecting my pants (I hated the process, and I hated all the pants) and it showed. Unfortunately, the only way to know how they're going to fit is to try them. Hundreds of them. Some more than once. And probably with a variety of different shirts. Good luck.

[Jasmine.m]

I can't really add anymore description than everyone else has... What I can say is that hipster boot cut seem to fit me best. The high rise look ridiculous and the flare can be way to much sometimes. Low rise can work, but since I don't have any hips (yet), they tend to bunch up at the top and need a belt to stay up. Stretch works great but isn't required. It's for really tight jeans so you can bend over. I tend to get stretch with tight jeans, but not with loose. Skinny's are cute, but they're totally a juniors style. I don't see too many women older then like 25 wearing them. But if you can pull it off, go for it! 

And yeah... Sizes are all over the place. For the most part, I wear a size 11. At Old Navy, it's a 9. At Kohl's, the juniors are an 11, but the womens are 9. At American Eagle, I'm like a 13. Even within the same store, things are different. At Victoria's Secret, I bought a pair of boyfriend cut (hipster/boot) button flys in size 9 and they're kinda baggy, but the Pink hipster/flare I needed an 11 and they're pretty tight!!

Good luck in your pants shopping adventure!! I love shopping, so I don't mind trying like eight different pairs of pants to find that 'perfect fit'!!

~Jasmine

[Pippa]

I disagree, I am well over 25 and love my skinny jeans, especially when teamed with a short dress or tunic.   Sizing is a pain, I nearly always check the sizing chart for the waist size but the jeans when they arrive tend to be loose at the waist.

If not, they tend to be baggy at the hips. I sometimes buy two pairs of the same brand which are supposed to be the same size but they are different when they are delivered.   

I blame poor quality control in Chinese sweatshops

[Naturally Blonde]

I disagree, I am well over 25 and love my skinny jeans, especially when teamed with a short dress or tunic.   Sizing is a pain, I nearly always check the sizing chart for the waist size but the jeans when they arrive tend to be loose at the waist.

If not, they tend to be baggy at the hips. I sometimes buy two pairs of the same brand which are supposed to be the same size but they are different when they are delivered.   

I blame poor quality control in Chinese sweatshops

Pippa and Jasmine, I agree with both of you. I'm over 40 and I usually wear boot cut jeans with shoes but skinny jeans work very well with boots! As with all clothes you need to try on as many pairs as you can to find the right fit and cut that suits your shape and looks as feminine as possible!

[Kaori]

Coming from someone born with a female body: Women's pants sizes aren't intended to make sense. The numbers on the pants don't relate to any measurable number on your body.

Compare yourself to other women to get a general idea of the size range to look for. If you're really, really (preteen-level) tiny, you want a size 0-2. Small but with a little curve is 4-6. A little extra curve or slight chubbiness puts you in the 8-10 range. If you have a large frame or are mildly overweight, look at 12-14. That should give you a general range of sizes you'll want to be grabbing off the racks and hauling to the fitting rooms - but if the first pair you try is far too big or far to small, adjust your size range accordingly.

The length is going to relate to your height and leg length as compared to the average woman. If you're 5'4 or below, try short/petite; 5'5-5'7 is probably regular; anyone taller is probably a tall/long.

The overwhelming majority of women's jeans are now stretch denim. They're designed to fit very closely and flex with your body. If you prefer close-fitting clothes, you may like this.

Then just pick a cut that you like. Hipster and low-rise are the most flattering and least likely to restrict your breathing, and no, they won't go anywhere near your waist. Stick with these. The other terms refer to the shape of the leg. Boot cut and flare (these are cut differently from men's boot cut and flare) are shaped to flatter and emphasize curves. Skinny and tapered cuts simply reveal your body's shape in the same way leggings might. Skinny or tapered jeans tucked into boots give the same silhouette as boot cut or flare though.

Don't buy online or through catalogues until you've found a brand, style, and size (you need to take note of all 3) that you can live with. Go to a store and try on jeans. Plan to spend hours - it seems like most girls do. When I was attempting to present as female, I didn't spend nearly enough time selecting my pants (I hated the process, and I hated all the pants) and it showed. Unfortunately, the only way to know how they're going to fit is to try them. Hundreds of them. Some more than once. And probably with a variety of different shirts. Good luck.

"If you're 5'4 or below, try short/petite; 5'5-5'7 is probably regular; anyone taller is probably a tall/long."

I'm 5'8 and I wear a short   

[tiger]

As others have stated before there is no sizing convention. I like internet shopping and it is impossible with pants. Shirts are when they are  xs-s-m-l-xl seem to be fairly consistent. Pants are impossible. The only way to to try them on and even then same style and different color the size is off. I don't think the people who are cutting/sewing them have any quality control.

My wife/SO has noticed that they have been changing the size numbers to reflect the larger sized population in a effort to make women feel better about their size. Sorry for being so blunt. Anyway, I'm in this "larger" population usually xl and about a 14.

Hugs, Jenny

[kyril]

"If you're 5'4 or below, try short/petite; 5'5-5'7 is probably regular; anyone taller is probably a tall/long."

I'm 5'8 and I wear a short   

Not everyone's proportioned exactly the same - and different brands use different measurements

[LordKAT]

Never wore womens jeans. I never could understand the size thing.

[Myself]

Actually I find that a lot of measures do make sense. Measure around your hips (fullest part.. aka your butt) and get the number..
34 is 0. Every inch about is extra size. US system is like 0, 2, 4..


Truth be told, it is different between each company, style and so on but usually a change of a size or two. Measure and that's it.

Realize that usually women carry most of their fat in their hips and not just that but the pelvis bones are wide and bigger.
Most people here would probably be around the 0-6 sizes. Unless being big and overweight I guess. Just an assumption though!

[Suzy]

Welcome to the bizarre world of women's sizing.  I am afraid that there is just no substitute for trying things on.  If you can't use a dressing room, you may have to buy extra and return them.  And yes, I do have some skinny jeans I wear inside boots.  And I am ancient.

Kristi

[Randi]

Hi Melissa,

I wear a 32 waist mens jeans and can get into a size 8 reg womens pant.

Randi

[NikkiJ]

I always try to take two sizes into the dressing room, and see which fits better, then adjust accordingly. You'll learn what brands suit you and which don't.

One tip I learned, sometimes juniors sizes are better proportioned for girls like us, I love slinky black slacks with a boot cut at the bottom, and got a really nice pair of Candies in the juniors' dept of Kohl's.