Underwear and fit, how to find your size

Short answer: Measure your waist and hips with a tape measure and compare the numbers with the size guide. If you fall between two sizes, choose the larger one when the fabric has little stretch, and the smaller one when it contains elastane.

Measure instead of guessing

A tape measure around your waist and the widest part of your hips gives you two numbers to compare directly with the size guide. That is more accurate than going by an old pair that may have stretched or shrunk over time. Measure lightly without pulling the tape tight, and use the numbers when choosing from the most popular styles for women.

How to measure correctly

Stand straight and breathe normally. Measure your waist at the narrowest point, usually just above the navel. Measure your hips around the widest part of your seat. Keep the tape level all the way round and check in a mirror that it does not dip at the back. Write the numbers down so you have them ready next time.

Between two sizes

Many people fall between two sizes, and that is completely normal. If the fabric has some elastane, you can safely go down, because it gives and follows your body. Without stretch, go up so the waistband is not pulled to its limit and does not dig in. This matters most for briefs, where the leg edge should also lie flat. See the bamboo panties.

What the waistband tells you

The waistband is the first place you notice whether the size is right. If it lies flat without leaving red marks, it fits. If it rolls down or digs in, it is too small. If it slides when you move, it is too large. Check your skin in the evening after a full day of wear, because that is when it shows.

Fit around the leg

Even in the right size, the leg openings can feel wrong. That is usually about the style rather than the size. A high leg cut sits differently from a lower cut or a longer leg. If it pinches at the groin or rides up, try another cut in the same size before you change size. It saves you a lot of wrong purchases.

Try one before buying more

Buy one piece of a style first and wear it for a few days, ideally also after a wash. Then you know how it sits when you move, sit down and wear it for hours. If it fits, you can confidently buy more or a pack from the bamboo boxers or the styles for women. It is a simple way to avoid a drawer full of almost right pieces.

Washing and size

Bamboo viscose shrinks very little at 40 degrees, but hot washes and tumble drying can make a noticeable difference. To keep the fit, wash at a low temperature and let your underwear air dry. That way both fabric and elastic hold their shape longer. Do not size up to guard against shrinking if you wash gently, as the piece will simply sit loose.

When your body changes

Weight and shape change over time, and so does your size. Measure again if your underwear suddenly feels tighter or looser than usual. It is better to change size than to wear something that does not sit well. Many people only discover with a new measurement that they have worn a size that no longer fits for years.

Frequently asked questions

Does underwear shrink after washing

Very little at 40 degrees. Hot washes and tumble drying can make a noticeable difference, so wash gently and let it air dry if you want to keep the original fit.

Should underwear feel tight

No. It should lie close to your body without leaving marks on your skin. If you see red lines in the evening, the size or the style is too small for you.

What if the waistband fits but the legs do not

Then the style is the problem rather than the size. Try a style with a longer or wider leg in the same size before you consider changing size.