The hip measurement is the largest girth of the lower body, and it decides whether a skirt, lehenga, trouser or straight kameez will go on and sit where it should. It is also the measurement most often taken at the wrong place. Here is where the tape really goes, and the two companions a tailor wants with it.
No measuring tape? Prop your phone, turn around twice, and the Silai scanner takes every measurement on this page in about two minutes, free, for men and women. Try the scanner
Use a soft tape over thin clothing. Give body measurements only; the tailor adds ease for the style you choose.
| Size | Women's hips | Men's hips | US / UK (women) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 84 to 88 cm (33 to 35 in) | 0 to 2 / 4 to 6 | |
| S | 89 to 93 cm (35 to 37 in) | 88 to 93 cm (35 to 37 in) | 4 to 6 / 8 to 10 |
| M | 94 to 99 cm (37 to 39 in) | 94 to 100 cm (37 to 39 in) | 8 to 10 / 12 to 14 |
| L | 100 to 105 cm (39 to 41 in) | 101 to 107 cm (40 to 42 in) | 12 to 14 / 16 to 18 |
| XL | 106 to 112 cm (42 to 44 in) | 108 to 115 cm (42 to 45 in) | 16 to 18 / 20 to 22 |
| XXL | 113 to 120 cm (44 to 47 in) | 116 to 124 cm (46 to 49 in) | 20 to 22 / 24 to 26 |
Body measurements at the fullest point. Skirts, lehengas and trousers are sized from the hips first and the waist second, because a waistband can be taken in and a seat cannot be let out.
Everything worn below the waist has to pass over the hips first. A lehenga skirt without a zip must clear the hip measurement at its waistband; a straight kameez must clear it at the hem line or it rides up; a pencil skirt or fitted trouser is cut to it and shaped inward to the waist from there. This is why hips, not waist, lead the sizing of bottoms.
The distance between the waist and hip readings drives the shaping. A large difference means darts, gores or flare; a small one means a straighter cut. Give the tailor both girths and the vertical distance between them, and the pattern nearly draws itself.
Ease at the hips depends entirely on the style: 2 to 4 cm for a fitted skirt or trouser, 5 to 8 cm for a straight kurta or kameez, and unlimited for a flared lehenga or an A-line. That is a design choice, so send the body number and describe the fit you want.
Scan yourself with your phone camera on Silai: about 2 minutes, free, no tape and no second person. You get every measurement on this page, and you can see your own sheet right now, no account needed.
Below. The hip bone is the top of the pelvis; the hip measurement is taken at the fullest part of the buttocks, usually 18 to 23 cm below the natural waist. Slide the tape until you find the largest reading.
High hip is 8 to 10 cm below the waist, over the hip bones, and is smaller. Full hip is the maximum girth lower down. Fitted skirts and low-rise trousers need both so the garment does not gap or pull between the two.
For tops, the bust size; for skirts and trousers, the hip size; for dresses and straight kameez, the hip size with the bodice taken in, which is exactly what a tailor does with your two numbers. It is the single most common reason to have something stitched rather than bought.
Yes for trousers, pajamas, churidars and any kurta or sherwani that is fitted through the body. A straight kurta clears the hips at the hem; a fitted one is shaped to them.
About 2 to 4 cm on a fitted skirt or trouser, 5 to 8 cm on a straight kurta or kameez. The tailor adds it; send the body measurement.
Yes, hips and thigh both come from the Silai scan, along with the waist above them and the hip-to-ankle length, in about two minutes. Fitted clothing helps the camera find the fullest point.
Body measurement chart: what size am I? · How to measure your bust or chest · How to measure your waist · How to measure your inseam and trouser length · How to measure sleeve length and arm length · How to measure shoulder width
Measuring for a garment? Saree blouse measurements · Kurta size chart, sizing and measurements · Lehenga measurements · Salwar kameez measurements · Gown and anarkali measurements · What measurements does a tailor need?