What Is an Inseam? Why Is It Important?

The word "inseam" often pops up when tailoring a suit or fixing clothes. It's a term we've heard but might not fully understand. However, knowing your inseam helps you dress well for your body shape, so it's crucial.

What does inseam length mean?

An inseam is the measurement from the top of your thigh to the bottom of your pants. Specifically, it begins at the bottom of the zipper on jeans and extends to the leg opening. If you're unsure what an inseam length of pants is, just look at a pair of jeans, and you'll spot it immediately. Jeans are helpful for this because they often have visible stitching in a different color, making it easy to see where the inseam starts and ends.

Although other types of pants also have inseams, they might be less visible, hidden on the inside, and sewn with thread matching the fabric color. Despite being less obvious, the inseam is still present.

Now that you understand what an inseam is, it's important to learn why it matters.

Is inseam the same as leg length of pants?

Your inseam is the distance from your crotch along the inner leg seam to the hem of your pants. Meanwhile, the length of your pants, also known as the "length measurement," is measured from the waistband to the hem of the pants.

You might not think much about your inseam unless it's damaged. Yet, your inseam reveals a lot about how well your pants fit. Having the correct inseam ensures your pants fit nicely and hang properly, which is crucial.

If your inseam is too long, your pants' legs will drag on the floor or bunch up. For instance, if you wear tight over-the-knee boots with a too-long inseam, you'll notice annoying wrinkles on the pants' legs due to excess fabric. Conversely, a too-short inseam results in pants with short legs. While you might hide this with boots, it's not practical for every occasion.

Pants that are too short limit when and how you can wear them, affecting your comfort.

Ultimately, finding the right pair of pants means selecting ones with the correct inseam measurement.

How do you measure inseam length?

To determine your inseam measurement, use a soft measuring tape to find the distance from the top of the inner leg seam (near the crotch) to the bottom of the pant hem.

There are two methods for measuring your inseam.

Measure your inseam using a pair of pants you own.

The first method, though the simplest, may lack complete accuracy as it doesn't consider your individual inner leg length. However, it suffices if you only need your inseam when shopping for jeans.

Choose a pair of jeans or pants that fit you nicely and have the hem length you like. Lay them flat and fold them to show the lower leg. Use a tape measure to measure from just below the crotch down the inner leg seam to the bottom hem, and write down this measurement. This is your preferred inseam length.

This method is advantageous for its ease, speed, and independence, requiring no assistance. Nonetheless, it provides the inseam length of a well-fitting pair of pants rather than your unique inseam. Consequently, if you choose a different style of jeans or trousers, you'll need to adjust your inseam measurement accordingly.

Have another person measure your inseam.

The second method for measuring your inseam involves enlisting the help of another person or a friend.

First, put on leggings or skin-tight pants and go barefoot, ensuring you don't wear shoes. Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart, optionally using a wall to maintain proper posture. Then, have the other person measure from your crotch along the inner leg down to the midpoint of your ankle bone. While tailors may suggest measuring all the way to the floor for custom garments, for our purpose of selecting well-fitting jeans, measuring to the ankle is more practical to avoid overly long jeans. However, consider your needs if measuring for other purposes. Record this measurement as your inseam.

What is leg length vs. inseam?

Your inseam measurement, also referred to as your inside leg measurement, indicates the ideal length for your pants to achieve a perfect fit. Before making any purchases of jeans or pants, it's essential to determine this inside-leg measurement. Keep in mind that your choice of footwear will impact your preferred inseam measurement. For instance, if you intend to wear heels with jeans, you'll likely prefer them slightly longer than usual to accommodate the height. Conversely, for sneakers, the regular length is preferable to avoid dragging along the floor.

Many suggest adding 0.5 inches to your inseam measurement when purchasing pants for wearing with heels, although this can vary. Experimenting with different inside leg measurements is advisable to find the most suitable fit. Bringing a pair of shoes along when trying on pants, especially for significant events, is beneficial. While adding 0.5 inches might suffice for a pair of two-inch heels, you might consider adding an extra inch if wearing four-inch heels.

Additionally, it's important to note that new jeans may shrink slightly after the first wash, as it's a common occurrence. To address this, you might opt to purchase jeans with an inseam of 0.5 inches longer than desired and wash them before wearing them for the first time.

Is there a standard inseam measurement?

There isn't a definitive answer to this question. Each brand varies in its measurements, and to complicate matters further, every style of pants differs as well.

For instance, if you purchase skinny jeans and boyfriend jeans from the same brand, their inside leg measurements may not match. While many brands provide the inseam measurement on the label, this practice is more common in men's pants, and not all brands follow suit. If you see pants labeled with numbers like 28" or 32", it indicates a 28" waist and a 32" inside leg measurement. If this information isn't on the sales tag, check the permanent label inside the pants for details. If you're still unsure, contacting the manufacturer for sizing information is a good idea.

Generally, petite pants and jeans typically have an inseam measurement of about 25" to 30" while average jeans and pants range from around 28" to 34" for the inside leg measurement. Tall pants and jeans typically have an inseam measurement of 31" to 36". With such variations among brands and styles, it's understandable why inseams can be confusing. While it would be convenient to have a universal sizing guide and inseam measurement, it's unlikely to happen anytime soon. Therefore, you'll need to explore brands that offer pants and jeans in your size to curate your ideal wardrobe.

Can you alter the inseam of your bottoms?

Certainly! Now that you understand what inseam is and its significance for your clothing, you can proceed with making alterations. However, altering an inseam can be tricky, especially if you lack experience. It's advisable to start with a pair of pants you're not overly attached to, just in case things don't go as planned. Alternatively, you can choose to have your jeans and pants professionally altered if the inseam doesn't suit you. This is usually affordable and ensures you can still enjoy wearing your favorite bottoms.

Adjusting the length of your pants is often referred to as altering the inseam although you won't necessarily be modifying the inseam itself. For instance, if you want to shorten your pants, you'll hem them by sewing up the bottom of each pant leg to make it shorter. Conversely, if your pants are too short and you want to lengthen them, you can often let down the existing hem. This option is particularly convenient if you're in between standard inside leg measurements, allowing you to tailor the pants to your exact fit.

Remember, if you come across a pair of jeans or pants you adore, but they're slightly too long or short, don't let that deter you from buying them. Most styles of pants can be hemmed to adjust the length, making them a versatile choice for your wardrobe. By investing in custom-fitted clothes, you'll achieve a flawless silhouette, enhancing your overall appearance and creating stunning outfits!

The good news is that the leggings and shorts from baleaf's Freeleaf collection offer the flexibility to adjust the length to your preference, ensuring a more flattering and comfortable fit. Thanks to the Lycra ADAPTIV fabric used in the Freeleaf 27" Seamless High-Rise Leggings and Freeleaf 8" Seamless High-Rise Shorts, altering the length doesn't compromise the fit or silhouette. This feature allows the Freeleaf bottoms to accommodate various body shapes, regardless of size.

Get More Winning Bottoms and a Flattering Fit With Your Inseam

Understanding inseams isn't as complex as it may seem, and the great thing is, once you grasp their significance and find your preferred bottoms' style, shopping for bottoms becomes much simpler. When you're ready to shop, remember to apply this newfound understanding. With more successful purchases and fewer returns, it's a win-win situation for you!