How to measure your hips

Short answer: Hip size is measured horizontally around the widest part of the hips and seat. It is usually about twenty centimetres below the waist, and it is a key measurement when you choose panties and trousers.

The widest point, not the hip bone

Many people measure too high, at the hip bone, because that is where the hip is felt. But the measurement should be taken over the widest part of the hips and seat, which sits further down. The difference can easily be five centimetres. That matters for close fitting pieces like bamboo panties, which should sit smoothly without digging in.

Feet together

If you stand with your legs apart, the figure is smaller than it should be, and clothes end up too tight. Stand with your feet together and your weight on both legs. Stand tall but relaxed. That position gives the most accurate figure and matches how you stand day to day.

Level all the way round

The tape must be at the same height at the front and the back. Over the seat, the tape easily slides up or down without you noticing. Look in a mirror from the side, or ask someone to check. A crooked tape can be off by several centimetres, even if you found the right spot at the front.

Find the spot by moving the tape

If you are unsure where the widest point is, put the tape around your hips and slowly move it up and down. The spot with the largest figure is your hip measurement. It takes a moment longer, but it is the surest way to avoid guessing. Measure a couple of times to check you get the same figure.

Without pulling tight

The tape should lie flat against the body and follow it without pressing in. If you pull it tight, the figure is smaller, which can mean a size too small. Measure on bare skin or over a thin layer, not over trousers with pockets. If a finger slides under the tape easily, you can trust the figure.

When hip size matters most

Hip size decides the fit of everything around the hips and seat: panties, leggings and trousers. It also plays a part in longer tops that reach over the hip. See bamboo hoodie for women, where the hem should fall freely over the hip without riding up.

Compare with the size guide

Once you have your figure, compare it with the size guide on the product page. If hip and waist fall in different sizes, choose by the one that matters most for the piece. For panties and trousers, that is usually the hip. See all women's clothing and read the guide for the model you like.

Write it down

Write your hip size down along with waist and chest, so you have it to hand next time you shop. Measure again if it has been a while, or if clothes that used to fit start to feel different. Bodies change, and an old figure can lead to the wrong size.

Frequently asked questions

Where do you measure the hips

Horizontally around the widest part of the hips and seat, usually about twenty centimetres below the waist, and not up at the hip bone.

Should you stand with your feet together

Yes. With legs apart, the figure is smaller than the real one, and the clothes end up too tight when you stand and walk during the day.

Why is hip size often wrong

Because many people measure at the hip bone instead of the widest point, which sits further down. The difference can easily be five centimetres.