Buying Jeans Online- The Key Measurements you need to know....

We get a lot of customers in store saying they find it difficult to shop online for jeans. Well I'm about to make that a lot easier for you!

Having been online selling within the clothing industry since 1998, I've learnt a lot, especially when it comes to variations between brands and cuts, materials and sizing..... and how to conquer the inconsistencies.  

I'm happy to tell you I can now fit myself and my family and friends based on measuring the jeans with a flexible dressmakers tape - (now that bit is important, as a rigid ruler when measuring fabric will give you ballpark figure but wont be the accurate measurement you need for a great fit.) When sorting a bale of new stock,I can confidently supply them new jeans. my loved ones don't even need to be there to try on anymore. 

Remember the size on the jeans label refers to 'your' waist and not the waistband measurement of the jeans. And this measurement will always vary, simply because jeans don't always at your actual waist. But knowing your waist measurement gives a good start point. For Women it's the smallest point above the belly button. For guys its pretty much around waist at belly button.

A lot of people just go for same brand and same cut which makes it a little easier, but not foolproof as each denim wash will vary the fit slightly ( some have 100's of different denims for one cut). But what if you want something new, and you want to shop online?

First thing you should do is great your all time favourite pair. Now we are going to measure these and take some notes.

1- Measure the Waistband of the jeans lying flat extending the denim slightly as you measure. ( but not fully outstretching)

2- Measure the Rise- this is where they sit Eg. Low Rise, Mid Rise or High Rise. Measure from Crutch seam to the top of waistband.

3- Inside Leg Measurement- This is how long your legs are. Measure from the crutch seam to the hem of the pants along the seam again extending the denim but not over stretching it. 

4- Note the Material Content. The inside label with have a care tag with the Material Eg- 100% Cotton, 98% Cotton 2% Elastane etc etc.

Now if we can replicate these 4 things in our new pair we will again find a great fit. Carry these with you and your Dressmakers tape even when shopping in a store for pants or jeans ( you'll thank me later).

If you're going for a different fit than normal. Wear your favourites and measure the Rise with tape from crutch seam you will be able to visualize where they will sit compared to what your used to, if you also measure around waist at point of the new rise measurement you can compare the waist lying flat measurement but halving your body waist measurement.

Leg length will only vary if you are shopping for a Crop or an Ankle Grazer. Remembering if you're on the shorter side you may find Ankle Grazers perfect full length ( which will save money of hemming).

As a general rule 26" or Shorter is a Crop,

28"or Shorter is Ankle,

30" is Short ,

32" is Regular,

34" is Long and anything longer considered extra long.