How to Measure Pants: Hip Width

Do you also buy your pants as per your waist size only? Well, most people make this mistake and end up with garments which are either too tight, too loose, or too uncomfortable around the seat. Thus, to ensure the perfect fit and flattering appearance, it's important to also consider your hip measurements in the process. 

Whether you buy tailor-made pants or ready-to-wear trousers, accurate hip width is essential for utmost comfort and confidence. Besides, it also ensures that your lower body garment will sit right on the point, making your body shape more appealing. 

So today, we're going to pen down a detailed guide on taking hip measurements. We'll also walk you through the differences between high and low hip measurements, along with the common mistakes one should avoid to discard inaccurate results. So, let's begin! 

How to Measure Pants: Hip Width

• What is hip measurement? 

Hip measurements are usually run on the widest part of your seat, that is, mostly found 8-9 down the waistband of pants. It's the same point where the fly of your zipper ends. However, this 8-9 inches rule is applicable only to normal pants, whereas for high-waisted or low-waisted pants, the rule for hip measurement may vary. 

To break it down further, we divide hip measurements into two parts; high hip and low hip measurements. The high hip measurements are taken around 3-4 inches down your natural waistline. On the other hand, low hip measurements are taken from the widest part of your buttock. 

• How to measure hip width - body measurements? 

Now since you have understood the difference between high and low hip, let's move to the main topic. To start measuring for your full hip, you need to follow the given steps;

1. Gather the supplies

Gather some essentials, which include a narrow elastic band, a flexible measuring tape, and a pen and paper to note your measurements down. 

1. Prepare

To get accurate measurements, wear close-fitting clothes. Once done, tie the elastic around your natural waistline for reference. If you are unsure whether the elastic is around the natural waistline or not, bend to either side a few times, and the band will adjust itself on the natural waist. 

1. Measure

Now place the measuring tape loosely around the widest part of your hips. However, the tape should not be loose enough to fall down nor too tight to bite into your skin. Also, the tape should run parallel to the floor without twisting over. Note these measurements. 

1. Note the seated measurements

Now take the seated hip measurements for which you need to sit down while wrapping the measuring tape around the fullest part of your hip. 

The seated hip measurements are quite important to consider since they count for the room required to comfortably sit and move around. 

• How to measure hip width - pant measurements? 

To determine the seat width of your pants, you need to lay them down on a flat surface with the closed zip fly. Spread out all the creases using your hand and put the measuring tape 8-9 inches down the waistband. Measure the distance from one side of the seat to the other side. This is your pant hip measurements. 

• Mistakes to avoid

Some mistakes you need to avoid to ensure accurate hip measurements are as follows;

1. Make sure the measuring tape is wrapped around the right point - neither too high nor too low. 
2. Stand in your most natural posture, without bending or flexing your body. 
3. Do not wrap the tape too tight or too loose as it could also make for inaccurate results.