English: Although it is a fundamental step before
purchasing a pair of trousers, choosing the right size is not at all a given: in fact, there are various measurement techniques and different conversion tables, to be taken into consideration if it is a pair of men's or women's trousers. The different types of models should not be excluded either,
as a pair of classic trousers differ greatly from the measurements of a pair of jeans . The types of sizes, in fact, can be different: from the classic European size format (e.g. size 40 for women, size 50 for men), mainly used for classic-cut trousers, to international sizes such as English, French, or
American sizes measured according to the parameters XS – XXXL. Jeans also deserve a separate discussion: in fact, the size includes the width of the waist, together with the length of the leg (e.g. 28/30). So how do you choose the perfect pair of trousers without the risk of opting for the wrong size? Here are all the steps to keep in mind for purchasing both men's and women's trousers.
Pants Measurements, How to Choose the Perfect Size for Women's Models
To
take the measurements of trousers correctly, you need to proceed with a soft tape measure, while standing upright and preferably without wearing other clothes, so as to have data as neutral as possible. In order, you will need to establish four important measurements in order to have a complete idea of the size relative to the model of trousers to be purchased:
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Waist circumference: this is the thinnest part of the waist, often coinciding with the ideal circumference that passes through the navel and is essential as a measurement for the purchase of a pair of high-waisted trousers. The measurement should be taken by holding the tape measure loosely, without excessive tightness, perhaps allowing a few more millimetres.
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Hip circumference: it is measured starting from the most protruding part of the buttocks. The tape measure, also in this circumference, must remain parallel to the ground and is an important measurement in determining the choice of low-waisted trousers.
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Leg circumference: this is a measurement that should be taken in multiple places, and involves different parts of the leg. The upper thigh circumference and the mid-thigh circumference are essential. In addition, for particularly tight-fitting models such as skinny pants, it may be necessary to measure the knee circumference, the calf circumference, up to the ankle circumference.
Another important parameter is the
bottom measurement, or leg length : this measurement is taken by placing the tape measure on the outside of the leg, starting the measurement from the beginning of a hypothetical waistband, up to the point where you want the trousers to fall. The tape measure must always be aligned, furthermore, if you notice that the hem is much longer than the desired length, it is better to make sure you can use a tailoring service to shorten the length of the leg without ruining the style of trousers.
How to choose the right size of men's trousers
To choose the right size of
men's trousers , you can proceed with the measurements already described in the choice of women's trousers. In addition to the standard measurements previously described, since the measurements of men's trousers are also related to the type of cut of the models, an important measurement is to define the
crotch of the trousers . It is possible to proceed with the measurement in two different ways: the first, with the aid of a flat-seated chair, consists of sitting down creating a 90° angle with the legs. From the side of the hip, you then move down to measure the crotch starting from the waist and arriving at the plane of the chair. For a complete measurement of the crotch of the trousers, you can rest the tape measure on the point of the waist under the navel where the buttonhole of the trousers should fall on the front, bring the tape measure from the front to the back and fix the measurement on the waist behind the back, corresponding to the one in front. When measuring men's trousers, it is advisable to proceed not only with the external length of the trousers, but also with the internal length, from the crotch to the internal hem, which in the case of classic trousers must exceed the length of the foot, while in the case of casual models the hem can already reach heel height.
Using conversion tables correctly
The conversion tables according to the classic system , as regards men's trousers, consider the measurement of the waist, the length of the leg and the belt. Usually the smallest size is a 40, while the largest size reaches 74 and each size increases by two numbers in two numbers. The plus sizes for men, on the other hand, increase the measurement up to size 79. As regards
women's trousers , on the other hand, usually we start from size 32 to reach a maximum size of 62. Often, as regards jeans, the measurements are taken through the American size system but sometimes it can be difficult to understand which size corresponds to the trousers you want to buy, as the US size system is in inches and not in centimetres. For example, trousers with size 30/32 indicate that they are 30 inches wide while the leg is 32 inches long. The conversion tables help you to orient yourself in the appropriate choice, as 1 inch is equivalent to 2.54 cm. In this way, with a simple operation, you can understand that the length of the leg 32 inches is equivalent to approximately 81 cm. This is why it is convenient to use the conversion tables,
which by comparing the different international sizes based on the actual correspondence , allow you to orient yourself in the choice of trousers with certainty, without margin of error.