Yoga Pants: Waist Conversion Guide

To convert your waist size for yoga pants, you'll first need to measure your waist. Take a soft measuring tape and place it above your belly button, at the smallest part of your waist. Make sure the tape is flat against your skin, snug but not tight, and parallel to the floor. Then, wrap the tape around your waist, holding the end at your belly button and circling it around your back to the front. For yoga pants, you'll also need to measure your inseam – place the tape at the top of the inside of your leg, where it joins the torso, and take it down to your ankle bone.

While knowing your waist and inseam measurements is a good start, it's important to note that sizing and fit vary from brand to brand. Therefore, it's always a good idea to refer to a brand's specific size guide or conversion chart when shopping for yoga pants. Additionally, reading product reviews from people with similar body types can give you a better idea of how the pants fit and whether they run true to size.

Measure your waist at the slimmest point, usually above the navel

Measuring your waist at the slimmest point is a straightforward process. This point is usually above the navel, and it's important to find it to get an accurate measurement.

First, remove or raise any clothing that might get in the way of your waist. This will ensure that the tape measure rests directly on your skin. Then, find your waist by placing your fingers on the top of your hip bones and the bottom of your rib cage. Your waist is the soft, fleshy section between these two bony parts, and it will be the narrowest part of your torso.

Now, take your measuring tape and place it at your navel, circling it around your back to the front of your waist. Ensure that the tape measure is snug but not too tight—you should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your skin. The tape should also be parallel to the floor and straight all the way around, with no twists, especially at the back.

Finally, exhale and check the measurement on the tape. This will give you your waist size in inches and/or centimetres, depending on the type of measuring tape you're using.

If you want to double-check your measurement, it's a good idea to repeat the process. If your second measurement differs from the first, take a third measurement and then take the average of the three numbers.

Measure your hips at their fullest point, wrapping the tape around your buttocks

When measuring your hips for yoga pants, it's important to get an accurate reading to ensure your pants fit well. To do this, you'll need to measure your hips at their fullest point, wrapping the tape around your buttocks. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Remove Outer Clothing

Take off any outer garments that might interfere with the measurement. You can keep your underwear on, but it's best to wear something thin and fitted, like yoga pants. If you prefer, you can also wear body-fitting clothing like yoga pants for this process.

Step 2: Stand with Feet Together

Stand up straight with your feet close together. This will accentuate your hips and help you get a more accurate measurement. Your feet should be no wider than your shoulders, but placing them together is best.

Step 3: Find the Widest Point

Your hip measurements should be taken at the widest point of your hips and buttocks. This is usually the fullest part of your hips/seat area. This will ensure that your yoga pants fit comfortably around your hips and backside.

Step 4: Start with the Tape Measure

Hold one end of a soft, flexible cloth tape measure on one hip. It doesn't matter which side you start on. Pull the tape measure snugly around your natural hips, ensuring it's straight and not twisted. Do not pull the tape measure too tight, as this will give you a smaller measurement.

Step 5: Wrap the Tape Around Your Backside

Carefully wrap the tape measure around your backside, making sure it stays straight and doesn't twist. Bring it around to the other hip, ensuring it goes around the fullest part of your hips and buttocks.

Step 6: Check in the Mirror

Check your positioning in the mirror. The tape should be parallel to the floor all the way around your hips and should not be twisted. Make any adjustments as needed to ensure the tape is positioned correctly.

Step 7: Snugness Check

The tape measure should be snug against your hips, but not too tight. You should be able to fit a finger between the tape and your skin. This ensures that your yoga pants will be comfortable and not too tight.

Step 8: Record Your Measurement

Read the measurement where the end of the tape meets the remaining length. Record your hip measurement in both inches and centimeters, as different countries and brands use different measurement systems. Now you have your hip measurement, which will be useful for finding the right size of yoga pants!

Measure your inseam, from the crotch to the ankle bone

Measuring your inseam is an important step in finding the perfect pair of yoga pants. The inseam is the distance from the crotch to the ankle bone, and it can help you determine the right length for your yoga pants. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to measure your inseam from the crotch to the ankle bone:

Step 1: Wear Close-Fitting Pants

Start by putting on a pair of close-fitting pants, such as athletic leggings or tight jeans. This will provide a more accurate measurement.

Step 2: Remove Your Shoes

Take off your shoes to ensure an accurate measurement. The added height from shoes can interfere with the inseam measurement.

Step 3: Stand Up Straight

Stand up straight with your back against a wall. Maintaining good posture is important to get an accurate measurement. If you slouch, the measurement may be incorrect.

Step 4: Measure from Crotch to Ankle Bone

Using a soft measuring tape, start measuring from the crotch seam of your pants. The crotch seam is the seam near the crotch that intersects with the pant leg seam. Carefully follow the seam down to the bottom of the pant leg. This is typically just above the ankle bone. The distance between the crotch seam and the bottom of the pant leg is your inseam measurement. Make sure to keep the measuring tape close to your skin for an accurate reading.

Step 5: Write Down Your Inseam Measurement

Note down your exact inseam measurement. You can use this measurement when shopping for yoga pants to ensure you find the perfect length. Remember that inseam measurements are usually provided in inches.

Tips for Measuring Your Inseam:

• If you plan to wear your yoga pants with high heels, consider adding 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) to your inseam measurement to accommodate the extra height.
• If the yoga pants are made with fabric that is prone to shrinking, round up your inseam measurement to the nearest 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) to compensate for any shrinkage.
• It is best to measure your inseam in your underwear or bare skin to get the most accurate measurement. Clothes can get in the way and affect the reading.
• If you don't have a measuring tape, you can use a piece of string to measure your inseam. Mark the length on the string, and then measure the string against a ruler to get your inseam length.

Measure the circumference of your thighs, wrapping the tape around the top of each thigh

To convert your waist size for yoga pants, you'll need to take accurate measurements of your body. This will ensure that your yoga pants are both flattering and comfortable.

Measuring Your Thighs

To measure the circumference of your thighs, you'll need a soft, flexible measuring tape. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Wrap the tape around the thickest part of your thigh, where the bottom of your buttocks meets the top of your thighs. Keep the tape snug but not too tight, allowing for a bit of air between it and your skin. Ensure that the tape measure is level from front to back.

The thigh circumference should reflect your body's unique proportions. It is important to ensure that your yoga pants are not too tight in this area, as this could restrict your freedom of movement.

A good trick to ensure you don't wrap the tape too tightly is to keep one finger between the tape and your body. You can also use a non-stretch string or cord if you don't have a soft measuring tape. Wrap it around your thigh and then measure the length of the string with a ruler.

For the most accurate reading, it is recommended to grab a friend to help you measure your thigh circumference.

Use a conversion chart to convert your waist measurement to pant size

To convert your waist measurement to pant size, you can use a conversion chart. This is a useful option, as Elizabeth Davey, director of product at DUER, explains: "sizing and fit vary from brand to brand". Conversion charts can be easily found online, but for the most accurate measurements, it's best to go directly to a brand's website and use their specific fit guide.

To use a conversion chart, you will first need to measure your waist. To do this, "wrap the measuring tape around your waist, by holding the end of the tape at your belly button and circling it around your back to the front of your waist", says Davey. It's important that the tape is snug, but not tight—you should be able to fit your finger between the tape and your skin. The tape should also be placed flat against your skin, parallel to the floor.

Once you have your waist measurement, you can use a conversion chart to find your corresponding pant size. For example, a conversion chart might tell you that a 28-inch waist corresponds to a size 4 in women's pants.

It's worth noting that pant sizes can vary depending on the cut and rise of the trouser. For instance, high-waisted trousers will be measured at the waist, whereas low-rise trousers will be measured closer to the hip. As Davey notes, "a 30” waist will convert to sizes 29-31 in women’s jeans and a size 28 in men’s jeans". Therefore, it's important to consider the style of the trousers you are intending to purchase when using a conversion chart.

Additionally, sizes can vary between brands and countries, so it's always a good idea to try on trousers before buying them, if possible.

Frequently asked questions