LIST OF ITEMS NEEDED:
1) Tape Measure
2) A pair of jeans from your closet that fit you great.
3) A pen or pencil to write with.
4) A piece of paper to record your measurements.

Lay your jeans down on a flat smooth surface. With the jeans facing you, grasp the waistband and snap it sharply once, then lay them out flat. Measure the waist band straight across. The pictured pair is 18" across. Multiply this by 2 and write this measurement on your paper. This pictured pair would have a 36" measurement.

In fashions of today, many jeans are below the natural waistline; so the front will be tipped down lower than the rear of the jeans. * This measurement will be wrong if you allow the jeans to rest naturally on the floor when this measurement is taken. Pictured here is the incorrect way to take this measurement.

Lay your jeans down and smooth out one of the legs. Measure from the stitching located in the crotch area to the bottom of the hem. Write this measurement down on your paper. Measure both legs. * You will note that often these two measurements will be different. This is common and not cause to be concerned. Just take an average of the 2 if this happens.

Now lastly measure the Rise on your jeans. Measure from the upper stitched seam in the crotch area to the top of the waistband. Write this down on your paper as well.

Using the measurement you wrote down, you can begin shopping for jeans that will probably fit you the best. I suggest you do this with several pair of your favorite jeans. In time, you will begin to notice how measurements can vary. You will also find that you wear a variety of different sizes; depending on the namebrand and style or cut of the jeans.

Have fun and remember if you have any questions at all; just ask. Most sellers are happy to try to help.

After measuring several pair of your favorite jeans...You may find that the rise and the waist measurements are somehow related. As the rise number changes the waist measurements will also change. This is the most confusing aspect of finding your best fit.

Take for example 2 different pair of jeans of the same size:

Pair 1: Size 6
33" Waist
8 ¾" Rise

Pair 2: Size 6
31" Waist
9 ¾" Rise

Both pairs are a size 6 and yet they have different measurements. How can this be?

****Please note that as the rise decreases you will need a larger waistband measurement for a good fit & as the rise increases you will need a smaller waistband measurement****

For example: If you have a pair of jeans with a 34" waistband measurement and a 10" rise the waist will not rest on you body at the same place as a pair of jeans with a 34" waistband measurement with an 8" rise. Both pair of jeans have the same waistband; but they will not both fit more than likely. The second pair's waistband (with the 8" rise) will not be resting at your natural waistline. We generally get wider as we move down towards our hips; so the "actual waistband" measurement will have to increase to get the same fit.

This is why you need to measure and get actual measurements to ensure your best fit. (to be continued...)