How to find pants size?

Accurate sizing of pants can sometimes be troublesome, especially if you shop online. Things are not made easier by the different types of sizing used by manufacturers. To help you make the right choice, we have created this article. In it we describe the different types of sizing, tell you how to check your measurements, how to measure pants, how to choose the right size.

Types of pants sizes

Unfortunately, we will not describe every existing pant size, because there are plenty of them. We will focus on men's and women's pants sizes that you can most often find in Polish stores.

Letter size XXS - 4XL

Polish manufacturers, such as Helikon and Texar, very often use classic pants sizing defined by letters. The order of sizes is as follows: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL, 4XL. The names of the various sizes are derived from the English words small (S), medium (M), large (L) and extra (sizes with X). These types of models can furthermore have different length versions, such as short, regular and long.

W/L in inches

Other common pant sizes are the W/L values given in inches. The W (waist) indicates the waist circumference, and the L (length) is the leg length. Thus, a pant size 36/34 has a circumference of 36 inches, and the length is 34 inches. As another example, let's take the pants size 32/34 - what does it mean? Since the first value is the waist circumference and the second is the length, a 32/34 pant will have a waist circumference of 32 inches and a leg length of 34 inches. If you want to calculate the circumference in inches, multiply the above numbers by 2,54. The size of the 32/34 pants after conversion is about 81,5 inches at the waist and a leg length of 86.5 inches. If you do not know your size in inches, you can easily calculate it by dividing the measurements in centimeters by 2,54. For example, a person with a waist circumference of 91 cm and a leg length of 86 cm should buy pants size W36/L34. Unfortunately, not always the dimensions of pants calculated in the above way in centimeters will agree with the actual state. Then the size chart should include specific values for the waist circumference and leg length.

European numbering

European sizing is defined by numbers in increments of 2, such as 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, etc. In this case, the number is unfortunately difficult to match with specific body measurements. So it's worth checking the pants size chart provided by the manufacturer.

Numerical - jeans

The sizing of women's denim pants, as a rule, begins at 24 and ends at 35. Men's jeans, on the other hand, are most often offered in sizes from 28 to 42. It is worth knowing that pants from different manufacturers can vary significantly in size - even if they are theoretically the same size. For example, pants produced by American companies are much larger than models from European manufacturers - for the same size. It happens that an American L will be a similar size to a European XL, and sometimes even XXL.

Sizing of men's pants

In Polish stores, the most common sizes for men's pants are W/L (waist/lenght) designations in inches, or letters from XS-4XL. However, you will also find European numbering (42-58). Some manufacturers additionally offer models with shorter or longer legs. This allows better sizing for people of different heights. These designations are usually written as: short, regular or long. If there is no such designation, the pants come in only one length for each size at the waist. 

See below for an example size chart:

Numerical sizing, but in a modified version, is used by the Pentagon brand. In the case of pants from this manufacturer, sizes start at 34 and end at 60. Below is a sample size chart from our store.

Inch size (W/L)	Manufacturer size	A Waist circumference (cm)	B Hip circumference (cm)	C Thigh width (cm)	D Leg width (cm)	E Overall length (cm)	F Inner leg length (cm)	Dimension presentation
27/32	34	78	100	30	20	104	80
28/32	36	80	100	31	20	105	82
30/32	38	80	100	31	20	107	82
32/32	40	84	100	32	20	108	82
33/34	42	88	106	33	22	110	82
34/34	44	92	110	34	22	111	86
36/34	46	96	110	35	22	111	86
38/34	48	104	116	36	22	112	86
40/34	50	104	120	37	22	113	86
41/34	52	110	120	38	29	114	86
42/34	54	110	122	39	29	114	86
44/34	56	118	124	40	29	115	86
46/34	58	120	124	41	30	117	86
47/34	60	124	126	42	30	117	86

*W - Width, L - Lenght 

Women's pants sizing

The sizing of women's pants is very similar to the men's version. However, there are differences consisting of different dimensions of the different parts of the pants. Women's models are also usually smaller than men's. In Polish stores we will meet the classic letter sizes of women's pants, which start from XXS and end even at 3XL. We also have European sizes marked by numbers - as a rule, from 32 to 46. Sizes of denim pants start from 24 and end at 35. It may also happen that you will find American, British or French sizes on the label.

 
Below you can see a sample pants size chart:

If manufacturers used a single standard for determining pant sizes, buying them would certainly be easier. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Fortunately, most retailers do not expect the customer to know all possible markings or size charts for pants. That's why good online stores always include an accurate sizing chart next to the product. This makes it easier to choose the size for you. 

How to measure pants? 

Pants can vary in cut and materials used. Some models have loose legs, others are fitted. On sale there are stretch pants or those that do not stretch at all. There are more differences. So how to choose pants? If you are trying to buy pants from an online store, carefully measure your body and compare the results with the size chart located next to the product description. 

Depending on which brand has produced the pants, the dimensions you may need are:

• waist circumference,

• waist width

• hip circumference,

• thigh circumference

• inner leg length measured from the crotch,

• outer leg length measured from the waist.

When taking your own body measurements, keep in mind a few important points. Measure the waist circumference at the narrowest point, and the hip circumference at the widest point. To check the width of the waist, you can simply divide the waist circumference by 2. Measure the inner leg length from the crotch, and the outer leg length from the waist to the bottom of the ankle. 

You can also check the measurements on your favorite well-fitting pants. The width of the waist is best measured by spreading them out on a flat surface. It is important to take the measurement on the back of the pants, as the front is often profiled, rounded. To check the width of the pants at the thighs, turn them inside out and put them to one side. Take the measurement on the inside of the leg, applying the tape measure about 1 centimeter below the crotch.

How to measure the leg length?

In the size chart we can find the outer and inner length. The former is the overall length of the pants, and the latter is the length of the leg itself (inseam). How to measure the inner leg length? Lay out the pants as for measuring the width of the leg. Put the measuring tape where the seam in the crotch is, and roll down to the very end of the leg.

 
How to measure pants accurately? Tape measures have a semi-rigid design, so it is difficult to make accurate measurements with them of the circumference of the waist, hips or thighs, and these are important measurements, without which it is difficult to choose pants. So how to measure in an effective way? To measure accurately, we recommend using an ordinary tailor's centimeter, not a tape measure. When measuring the width at the waist or thigh, multiply the result times two to get the circumference. The measurement will be more accurate and it will be easier to choose a good size for you.

How to choose the size of pants?

In the Militaria.pl we have a very wide selection of pants. We offer models from manufacturers such as Pentagon, Mil-Tec, Texar, Helikon, Brandit and many others. A significant part of our offer is military and tactical pants - commonly known as cargo pants. In addition, we offer trekking, sports, work, thermoactive or rainproof models. 

We try to describe the size charts very precisely. We supplement models from the most popular manufacturers with our own measurements. As a result, they have very accurate tables and measurements given both in centimeters and inches. In the size charts, we also often include graphic presentations that suggest how to measure pants. All this is done to make choosing the right size as easy as possible. 

However, we realize that even a precise size chart can fail and the pants will not fit properly. Among other things, this is why at Militaria.pl we offer our customers a fast and free return. You have as many as 30 days from the date of receipt of the shipment to do so, or indefinitely - just join the Key Customer Club (KSK).