Perfect Pants Without Measuring


Trying on pants can be a drag for a lot of men, but ill-fitting pants are much worse. Not only will they look bad, they won't feel good either. But if you take the time to pay attention to some key details when you're trying them on, you can ensure a perfect fit—every single time.

Who needs exact measurements? Read on to learn quick tips to ensure your pants fit.

Stitch Fix rack image of grey jeans, green jeans, blue jeans, and brown jeans.

The Pinch Test

They shouldn’t fit too tight, but as close as is comfortable. And your pants should never pull at you when you bend your knees. Ideally you can pinch about an inch of fabric, but no more than 2 inches, on either side of your thigh. If you can pinch more, you should size down.

Consistency Counts

Consider how consistent your pants feel on your butt, thighs and lower legs. Are they tight up top, but fairly loose at the bottom? That’s a bad sign. You want a consistent fit throughout. That might mean looking for a more tapered style if you have larger thighs or skinny/slim if you have svelte legs.

Get Hip to Your Hips

Remember, the waist of your jeans (that should fit around your mid to upper hips) sits lower than on dress pants. Regardless of what trends might suggest, jeans should never go below that. And when it comes to waist size, never trust a number. A 34 last year might be completely different this year. New styles and designs result in inconsistency even within a brand. And thanks to vanity sizing, it’s crucial to try on pants every single time.

Just-Above-The-Shoe Length

“Break” means how much your pant cuffs bend or fold when they contact your shoe. Dress pants often have no break, and end well above the shoe, but jeans should be long enough to have a slight, half or full break.

Want an expert stylist to take the guesswork out of finding well-fitting pants? Take your style quiz, and schedule a Fix. Sit back and relax while we hone in on the features that best suit your frame. Unlike squeezing into jeans from your high school years, shipping, returns and exchanges are effortless (and free.)

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