There’s nothing better than a perfectly fitting pair of jeans. Not only are they a wardrobe staple, but they’re timeless. Looked after well, they can last forever.
However, working out what size jeans you should wear can be so confusing. When they aren’t offered in the sizing we’re accustomed to. It can throw us off.
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Once you understand how denim sizing works, however, it’s a doddle. Read on how to find out how to figure it all out, as well as a handy denim sizing calculator and size chart.
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How do I figure out my jeans size?
The easiest way to work out your jeans size is by measuring your waist and the length of your legs with a measuring tape or by measuring a pair of perfectly fitting jeans you already own. Then enter your measurements into the calculator below.
To measure your waist, find the circumference of your belly by placing the tape measure at the level of your belly button.
If measuring jeans, lay them flat on a surface and measure their width from left to right, at the level of the waist button, over the zipper.
When you find the perfect fit, double the jeans’ width to get your waist length.
To measure the length of your legs, measure from your groin to the desired length of your jeans. If measuring your jeans, measure their inner length by following the inner seam to the bottom of the leg.
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Jeans Size Calculator
While some jeans come in regular UK sizes, such as 6 or 16, many offer more precise sizing.
For example, a size 10 is a jeans size 28. However, if you find you’re in-between sizes, a waist 29 pair of jeans equates to a size 11. A size 12 would wear a jeans size 30, but a size 31 in jeans equates to a size 13 in regular UK sizing.
This system means you can find the best fit for your waist without denim being a little loose or tight.
Jeans size chart
| XXS | XXS-XS | XS – S | S – M | M – L | L – XL | XL – XXL | |
| UK | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| US | 00 | 0 | 2-4 | 4-6 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
| Italy | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 |
| France | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 |
| Denmark | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 |
| Russia | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 |
| Germany | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 |
| Australia | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| Japan | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 |
| Jeans (in inches) | 23 | 24 – 25 | 26 – 27 | 27 – 28 | 29 – 30 | 31 – 32 | 32 – 33 |
Size-inclusive clothing brands
We all have different body types, and it’s often hard to find clothing that matches both your style and size. Especially jeans. So, we researched brands that offer an inclusive range of clothing sizes. And we found this excellent article from Byrdie.
They shared 20 brands that offer clothing options for every body type. Many of their size options include up to 6X and beyond. Byrdie includes brands like Nettle Studios, Hey Mavens, and many more.
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If you’re looking for familiar high-street names, don’t worry, straight-sized brands are also stepping up their game with size-inclusive options. Nordstrom, ASOS, Mango, and J.Crew have added extra sizing to many of their popular styles, including jeans.
Shop jeans
Ready to find a pair of jeans that fit like a glove?
Here’s our edit of the best jeans you can shop now.
Lofty Lo Wavy Blues, £145, Nudie Jeans – buy now
Rowdy Ruth Almost Black, £145, Nudie Jeans – buy now
Nettle Denim Straight Leg Jeans, £125, Pangaia – buy now
Hemp Denim Straight-Leg Jeans, £165, Pangaia – buy now
Mom Ultra High Ankle Jeans, £29.99, H&M – buy now
90s Baggy High Jeans, £24.99, H&M – buy now
Low Pitch Straight Jeans, now £70, Levi – buy now
Super Relaxed Bootcut Jean, now £87.50, ME+EM – buy now
