Why and How to Take Measurements BEFORE Buying Upcycled Jeans Online

Shopping for jeans online can be a frustrating task because you cannot rely on the size number on the tag. This is especially true when making an online purchase of one-of-a-kind upcycled reworked jeans that have been subjected to repeated laundering, the wear-and-tear of real life, have been painted, dyed, distressed or whose vintage fibers have aged.   

 As the creative sewist for Lucy Roots Denim I love the distressing, the patina and the authenticity that thrifted, pre-owned, or vintage denim gives to the artistic process of creating one-of-a-kind handcrafted upcycled jeans. But relying on the original manufacturer’s size tag likely won’t line up with the actual fit of a finished piece.

Brands design their patterns based on the specific body types of their target customer base. Because shapes and proportions differ depending on the target age range or geographic region, a size 6 at one retailer will not match a size 6 at another.

"Straight Sizing - Also known as “standard sizes” (ex. from XXS to XXL) are used by manufacturers to streamline the production process and allow for faster production of what the industry considers to be the average or most common sizes. However, straight sizing is limiting and excludes a majority of American women, 68% of whom wear a size 14 or above." 

And while men's jeans are generally perceived as more consistent because they are often sized by actual measurements (waist and inseam in inches), inconsistencies still occur. Factors like the rise (where the pants sit on the waist) and vanity sizing can still cause a "32-inch" waist to measure differently depending on the brand. Women's sizing is notoriously less standardized, jumping by arbitrary numbers (e.g., 2, 4, 6) or small, medium, and rarely align from store to store.

Here are some tips for finding the right fit -

  Check the Size Chart: Most reputable retailers provide a specific garment measurement chart on their website. Compare your exact waist and hip measurements to this chart rather than your usual size. [1, 2, 3, 4]

  Read Customer Reviews: Reviews often provide invaluable context (e.g., "these run small," or "size up if you have curves"). Many platforms even allow users to share their height, weight, and the size they purchased. [1, 2]

  Focus on Measurements: If you are shopping online, find your measurements using a flexible tape measure. This helps you order the correct fit regardless of what the brand's label says.

If you are considering purchasing upcycled, reworked, thrifted or vintage jeans online and no size chart is available many sellers on websites like Etsy, eBay. Poshmark, Lucy Roots Denim etc. provide measurements. In that case use a flexible tape measure to flat measure your jeans that currently fit you and compare those to the online seller’s measurements.

Waist – it’s very important to line up the front and back waistbands. Then take the measurement from side to side. Times this number by 2 for your waist measurement.

Rise – measure from the top of the waistband to the crotch seam.

Inseam – measure from the crotch seam, it’s best to follow the inside seam right down to the bottom hem.

Thigh – measure starting just past the crotch seam right across the thigh. Times this number by 2 for your thigh measurement.

Knee – start at the crotch seam, measure down the inseam to about 14 – 16 inches below the crotch; at this point measure across the knee. Times this number by 2 for your knee measurement.

Hem – the bottom hem is just simply measured across the bottom.

Here’s a link to a YouTube video by LuxuryMenswear.com that demonstrates how use a flexible tape measure to flat measure jeans –

 https://youtu.be/pBpmpYsFzXs?si=aPEy9pb3SSJ78396

If you are looking for one-of-a-kind handcrafted funky fly jeans that celebrate the African Diaspora, we’d love you to visit  lucyrootsdenim.com

We source and launder thrifted, pre-owned or dead stock denim clothes to create our one-of-a-kind garments. While we prioritize finding men's and women's plus-sizes, what we find are from many different manufacturers. As a result, creating a uniform size chart for our finished pieces is not practical.

Moreover, the process of upcycling used clothes is not a standardized one. It involves a high level of craftsmanship, and there is no standard for how brands and denim designers combine measurements to create different fits.

To help you choose the right size, we provide detailed garment measurements in the photos accompanying each listing. We recommend comparing these measurements to those of an item in your wardrobe that fits you correctly and is measured flat. If you have any questions about sizing or fit, please don't hesitate to contact us, and we will be happy to assist you.

 *Please see PHOTOS in each listing for garment measurements. Compare measurements in PHOTOS to an item which currently fits you correctly and is measured flat *