Finding Great Fitting Jeans

It is possible to shop for jeans online if you start prepared. You will need to take five important measurements. This is a step that is not needed when you shop in person, because you can try the jeans on and check the fit directly. If you take your measurements before you start shopping, though, you should be able to accurately gauge which size you will need and purchase with confidence.

Get your measuring tape, and grab a willing friend if possible. A second pair of hands makes the process much easier. When you take measurements, hold the tape measure slightly loose but not so loose it is slipping.

1. Upper waist: Most of us don't think in terms of upper and lower waist. It's even more complicated when you realize that the upper waist, used to determine the jeans waist measurements, is not where your actual waistband will sit once the jeans are on. You need to measure at the smallest part of your waist, even though your waistband will likely hit lower. If you measure where the waistband will hit, the jeans may be baggy at the waist.

2. Lower waist: Wrap the tape around your waist just below the pointy part of your hip. If this is unclear, you'll need to do some visualization. Picture where low-rise jeans would hit on you, and wear high-waisted jeans would hit. Now, take the measurement at the mid point between these two places.

3. Bottom width: This measurement is taken at the widest point of the hips. Generally, you'll find that this number will be a few inches larger than will the lower waist measurement.

4. Thigh width: Take this measurement by wrapping the measuring tape around one thigh at the widest point.

5. Inseam length: Take a pair of jeans that fits beautifully, and lay them out flat. Starting at the crotch seam, measure down the inside of the leg to the bottom of the cuff.

Once you have all of the measurements, you're ready to go to the manufacturer's or vendor's website. When you look up the sizing chart, be sure to add an inch to each measurement listed on the jean site.

Jeans are sized differently depending on where the company is based. Jeans that are from an American manufacturer will use U.S. sizing. European makers will use European sizing. Consider where the company is based, and this will tell you which sizing scheme will be used.