By: Daisy Hemmen
How do you know when you’ve got the right fit? Unfortunately, there’s no universal sizing in the U.S. clothing industry. That means even our essentials don’t always fit exactly as they should, especially the places where it matters most—like the hips.
From your bamboo underwear to your trousers and beyond, your clothing should lay smooth along your hips. You don’t want clothes to tug, cling, or slip off in the wrong spots as you go about your day.
Each body is unique, and a comprehensive size chart can help you find a good fit for different types of underwear. But often, you need the raw numbers to make use of it. This brief guide will show you how to measure your hips for all-day comfort.
Step #1: Find Your Hips
Okay, so you know where your hips are—your hips lie in the area between your bum and waistline. They are the widest part of your lower body, often about seven to eight inches below the natural waistline (although each body type is different!).
If you're unsure how to measure your unique hips, here are some quick tips:
- Contrary to popular belief, your hip measurements are not taken from the hip bone.
- The hip circumference hits at the widest part of the hip line extending to your buttocks.
Body shape types vary, so take a look in the mirror and identify the widest expanse of your lower body. That’s where you’ll take your hip measurement.
Step #2: Collect Your Supplies
Once you’ve located your hips, assemble your setup for your body measurement. This includes:
A mirror – Find a full-length mirror that gives you a good view of yourself. Just like you wouldn’t cut your hair or apply mascara without a mirror, you wouldn’t want to measure yourself blindly!
Measuring tape – Ideally, use a flexible cloth tape measure that can be wrapped around your body. Don’t have a cloth tape measure? Never fear—any piece of string should do, as long as it can reach around the hips. Try a shoelace or even yarn, then measure your results with a ruler.
A friend – Hip circumference measurements are notoriously prone to error, especially when done solo. Having a trusted pal lend you a hand guarantees an easier time and more accurate numbers.
Step #3: Get Measuring
Now, get ready to take your body measurements.
- Get down to your underwear – Clothing can get in the way of gauging accurate measurement, so you’ll need to strip down to just the basics.
- Stand up straight with your legs at hip width-level apart –Keep your feet planted at hip-width (often two fists apart, never wider than shoulder-width). Maintain steady breathing while you measure and keep good posture—slouching could skew the results.1
- Hold the measuring tape parallel to the floor – Circle it around the widest part of the hips, crossing behind the back. Meet the measuring tape with your other finger to find your hip size. Hold the tape still so that it doesn’t sag or twist around the hip area.
- Jot down the numbers – Having them on a slip of paper (or your phone) lets you refer to them whenever you’re in the mood for shopping.
Now that you know how to measure hip size, you’re ready to consult a size chart!
Keep in mind that it can be helpful to have your waist measurement, too. Wondering how to measure your hips and waist circumference? Repeat the above steps for your hips, but then time, focus on the smallest section of your natural waist (between your rib cage and hip bones).
The Benefits of Finding Your Perfect Fit
Knowing and understanding how to measure your hips can be super helpful when it comes to finding the right bamboo clothing. If you have wondered if you should wear underwear with leggings, often the first answer is related to finding the perfect fit for your hips for seamless design.
Here’s a few other reasons why you should know your exact measurements:
- It saves you money –Making informed purchases cuts down on unnecessary spending and the problem of ill-fitting goods that take up precious closet space.
- It saves you time –Spending hours debating between sizes is not fun. Being able to check out without that hassle is an affordable luxury everybody should have.
- It’s good for the planet –Returns release carbon emissions and clog up landfills at the number of 5 billion pounds, so the less you do it, the better (Mother Nature will thank you).2 Sustainability isn’t just in the fabrics we use; it’s in the way we transport our goods from the factory floor to your front door.
The Bottom Line: Find the Right Size with Boody
At Boody, comfort is what we strive for. Our essentials need to glide on and ride through the day without a fuss, and part of getting comfy means getting a good fit. Back when underwear was invented, comfort might not have been at the forefront of the mind. But Boody’s emphasis on comfort means a no-fuss approach for your hips, whether they’re riding high or low. It’s the part we keep in mind when designing the undies you reach for again and again.
Whether you’ll be exercising, lounging, or making a coffee run in your neighborhood, Boody makes the kind of staples that stretch with you, not away from you. Our inclusive size range ensures your body’s unique needs are met, and learning how to measure hips takes the stress out of finding the perfect pair of undies.
That way you can get back to doing what you’re best at—being you.
At Boody, a proper fit is the bottom line.
About the Author: Daisy Hemmen is a San Diego State University Fowler College of Business alumni. Based in Encinitas, California, Daisy is a part of the marketing team at Boody North America. She is passionate about learning the ins and outs of living a happy and healthy lifestyle that benefits both people and the planet, and enjoys sharing her bountiful findings with the community.
Sources:
- LookSmart Alterations, A Woman’s Guide to Clothing Measurements. https://www.looksmartalterations.com.au/womans-guide-clothing-measurements/
- The Verge. Free Returns come with an environmental cost. https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/26/21031855/free-returns-environmental-cost-holiday-online-shopping-amazon
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