Forget about measuring yourself

We know. You've stood in front of the mirror with a tape measure and tried to figure out where your waist really is. Is it here? Or here? And why do those measurements never match reality?

Here's the truth: The best way to find your size isn't to measure yourself. It's to measure the jeans you already love.

The trick: Measure your favorite jeans

Find those jeans in your closet that fit perfectly. You know the ones - the ones you always reach for when everything else feels wrong. Lay them flat on the floor or bed, smooth them out, and let's get started.

How to measure (step by step)

1. The waist (at the very top)
Lay the jeans completely flat with the zipper closed. Measure from side to side at the very top of the waistband - where the button is. Take that measurement and multiply by 2. That's your waist circumference.

Example: If you measure 35 cm from side to side, your waist is 70 cm (35 x 2 = 70).

2. The hip
Measure the widest part of the jeans - usually about 20 cm down from the waistband. Again: measure from side to side and multiply by 2.

3. Inside leg length
Measure from the crotch down to the bottom of the leg. This is your inseam - the number you see on jeans in stores (L30, L32 etc.).

Pro tip: Measure two or three pairs of jeans if you have them. This will give you an average and avoid basing everything on one pair that may have stretched out or shrunk in the wash.

Compare with our target chart

Now that you have your measurements, it's time to match them to our sizes. Here's what to look for:

Esther Jean's goal chart

Alma Jeans measurement chart (midwaist)

Vera Jeans measurement chart

Between Two Sizes? Here's What You Do

If your measurements fall between two sizes, think about how you want them to fit:

Choose the smaller size if:

• You want a tight, form-fitting fit
• The jeans are made of stretch denim (they give way)
• You usually prefer your jeans to fit tight.

Choose the larger size if:

• You want a more relaxed fit
• The jeans are made of rigid denim (non-stretch).
• You are between two hip measurements - the hip fit is most important
• You plan to wash them in hot water (they may shrink a little)

Different styles of jeans require different sizes

Plot twist: You don't necessarily have to be the same size in all of our jeans. And that's totally normal. Here's why:

Skinny vs straight vs wide leg

Skinny jeans (like Esther) should fit snugly, so you may want to go down a size. Straight leg jeans (like Vera) can be your normal size. Wide leg or baggy styles can even be sized up if you want that oversized vibe.

High-rise vs mid-rise vs low-rise

High-rise jeans sit higher on the waist, so if you normally wear your jeans lower, you may need to adjust your size. Mid-rise (like Esther) is usually true to size. Low-rise (like Hannah Ultra Low Bootcut) may require a different size than you are used to.

Stretch vs non-stretch

Stretch denim gives and molds to your body. Non-stretch holds its shape but doesn't give room. If you're between sizes in stretch jeans, go with the smaller one. In non-stretch, go with the larger one.

Leg length: Should they be cut?

Our jeans come in a standard length that fits most people between 165-175 cm. But bodies are different, and it's perfectly okay to have them cut.

However, you should ALWAYS wash them first before changing your leg length! They will always shrink a little in the wash.

How to find the right length:

• Skinny jeans: Should hit just above the ankle or at the ankle
• Straight leg: Can go all the way down over the shoe or be stopped right at the
• Bootcut/flare: Must cover most of the shoe - otherwise they look strange
• Wide play: Can be long and droopy - it's part of the look

Tailoring tips: Take your jeans to the tailor while wearing them with the shoes you want to wear them with. Different shoes = different length.

When the goals don't match

What do you do if your waist says S, but your hip says M?Welcome to reality - most people are not perfectly proportioned to standard sizes.

The solution:

Always go for the largest of your measurements. So if your hip is M, but the waist is S, take M. It's easier to get a waist sizer than it is to get your hips widened. Plus, jeans that are too tight in the hips never look good - they create weird creases and are uncomfortable to wear.

Washing warning: They may change

The first time you wash your jeans, they may shrink a little - especially if they are 100% cotton without stretch. Here's what you need to know:

• First wash: Expect 1-2 cm shrinkage in length
• Hot water = more shrinkage
• Tumble dryer = even more shrinkage
• Stretch denim shrinks less than rigid denim

Our recommendation: Wash them in cold water and air dry them. This will help them retain their size as best as possible.

Still in doubt?

If you've measured, compared and are still unsure, order two sizes. Try them both on at home, walk around in them, sit down, move around. The right size feels right right away.

And remember: Jeans should fit well from day one. If you have to convince yourself that they fit, or think "they'll probably get better after a few tries," they won't. Send them back and try a different size.

Quick reference guide

Before you order:

1. Find your favorite jeans
2. Lay them flat
3. Measure waist, hip and leg length
4. Compare with our target chart
5. Between two sizes? Think about fit preference
6. Order (or order two sizes if you are unsure)

When they arrive:

1. Try them with different tops and shoes
2. Move around - sit, walk, bend over
3. Check waist, hip, leg length
4. Do they feel right? Keep them
5. Feel they are the wrong ones? Return them without a guilty conscience

Now you're ready to find your perfect pair of jeans. Which pair will it be?