The line that connects two elements of a bottom part of a wardrobe is called a crotch seam. Its length is indicated in the size characteristics of trousers, overalls, shorts, and other textile products of similar purpose. It is necessary to measure the indicator when purchasing or custom-made clothing.
What is a crotch seam?
The connection of the fabric pieces is vertical, diagonal or along the inner thigh, depending on the style. This seam is found on classic jeans, leggings, and sports pants. The parameter is the distance between the groin element of the product and the lower edge of the leg. On youth breeches and extravagant Afghanis, popular in oriental style sets, the inner seams are considered step seams.
They are always shorter than the outer ones. Determining the size of this indicator is important for choosing the right size, which will ensure the convenience of everyday use of the bottom part of the wardrobe with trousers. The inseam must be measured in some sports. This indicator is important when choosing cycling shorts, which should not restrict movement.
Knowing how to measure the length of the inner seam of textile products with trousers makes it easier to develop a new model or sew clothes using ready-made patterns. The parameter is useful when buying clothes without trying them on first, choosing wardrobe items for a non-standard figure. In tight-fitting models, the inseam is always shorter than in suit trousers or spacious styles made in the fashionable oversize style.
Drop-crotch trousers
The length of such a line depends on the style and location of the waist.
A low crotch seam is common and can be found in a variety of unusual models:
- Afghani;
- oriental harem pants used in original everyday looks;
- joggers - a sports model designed for running or walking;
- baggy - brutal rapper style jeans;
- Aladdinah - a traditional Arabic style of loose fit with ties or elastic bands at the ankles;
- Zouaves - trousers in the spirit of colonial troops.
- bananas, which are distinguished by their oval silhouette;
- breeches, borrowed from the army uniform and having a widened design in the hip area;
- the stirrup version - a semi-fitted style with a loop-shaped element at the bottom.
A low crotch is typical for cargo pants – fashionable women's loose-fitting trousers designed to create original informal sets.
This wardrobe item is equipped with spacious side pockets and abundant decor in the form of:
- fasteners;
- rivets;
- Velcro;
- sparkling metal overlays;
- massive buckles.
Designers equip models aimed at creating bold street-style looks with a low crotch with relief and deliberately rough processing. Another example is women's trousers with creases. Such a detail of clothing gives the image a special piquancy in combination with business elegance. Unlike men's analogues, women's trousers with creases have a low crotch.
This arrangement of the line connecting the groin area with the lower edge of the leg is typical for pajama-style models, tight pipes, extravagant palazzos and numerous other inventions of the couturier. Knowing the necessary size of the inseam is required not only to create a perfect look taking into account the features of the figure. A properly selected model is comfortable in everyday wear, does not restrict movement when walking or playing sports.
Basic sizes for trousers
The main parameters that matter when buying such a wardrobe item are the waist and hip size, and the length along the seam. Measurements are taken with a flexible tape measure. The waist circumference is measured along the natural line, which is considered the narrowest point, and the diameter at the hips is measured along the protruding roundness of the pelvic bones. To obtain the most accurate result, the readings should be taken 2-3 times, without tightening the tape too much.
Each metric system uses its own trouser size chart. Manufacturers indicate special designations on the labels - W34, L36. The first corresponds to the waist size in inches, the second - to the length of the leg. You can calculate your own size using a special correspondence table.
When choosing women's trousers, this option is not suitable for those with a non-standard figure. The confusion is added by the difference in the calculation systems of different countries and manufacturers. It is better to measure the inseam yourself. Its length is also affected by the model of the purchased wardrobe item.
A relatively accurate result is obtained from a table that indicates:
- height from the waist element to the lower edge of the trouser leg;
- waist circumference;
- the length of a garment along the inner seam, called the inseam;
- compliance of each parameter with the generally accepted European, American and Russian standards.
These indicators are considered basic for trousers. Each manufacturer publishes its own size chart. It must be taken into account to obtain the correct result.
Size Conversion Charts
Historically, different countries have developed their own designation systems. The international grid of trouser sizes contains a letter combination that encodes the ratio of waist size to hip circumference and leg length. Typical designations are XXS, XS, S. Russian clothing manufacturers usually indicate the main size parameters as an exact number in cm. The values obtained as a result of measuring your own body are compared with the table.
American manufacturers of trousers and jeans operate with an inch system of sizes. To convert one unit to another, they use a special correspondence table or translate it themselves. Most published size charts are isolated and contain values of only one measurement system - international, American or European. This makes it difficult to obtain a correct result.
The difference between the European and Russian standards is 16. You can calculate the required indicator yourself. European-made trousers of size 48 correspond to the Russian model of size 32.
American clothing brands use a measurement scale from 0 to 14. The step between adjacent values is 2 inches. The required size according to the international letter marking is determined by the hip circumference. For those whose hip circumference is 92-96 cm, trousers with the S designation are suitable.
For women
Knowing your waist and hip measurements is not enough to determine your size correctly. You need to take into account the length of your inseam.
The table of correspondence of women's trousers for different countries and measurement systems is given below:
| Russian system | International standard | European size | British system | American sizes |
| 38 | XXS | 32 | 4 | 0 |
| 40 | XS | 34 | 6 | 2 |
| 42 | S | 36 | 8 | 4 |
| 44 | M | 38 | 10 | 6 |
| 46 | L | 40 | 12 | 8 |
| 48 | XL | 42 | 14 | 10 |
| 50 | XXL | 44 | 16 | 12 |
| 52 | XXXL | 46 | 18 | 14 |
The main dimensional parameter used in the Russian measurement system is the hip circumference. The inseam is used as an additional indicator.
For men
Determining the size correspondence requires an accurate calculation of the anthropometric parameters of the lower part of your own body and knowledge of the country of manufacture of the purchased model. American brands mark the length of the leg along the inner seam with the letter L. The size is indicated in inches.
To get the value in conventional centimeters, you need to divide by 2.54 or compare it with the correspondence table below:
| RUS | INT (International Standard) | EUR (Europe) | GBR (UK) | USA |
| 44 | XXS | 38 | 2/4 | 29 |
| 46 | XS | 40 | 4/6 | 30 |
| 48 | S | 42 | 6/8 | 31 |
| 50 | M | 44 | 8/10 | 32 |
| 52 | L | 46 | 10/12 | 33 |
| 54 | XL | 48 | 12/14 | 34 |
| 56 | 2XL | 50 | 16 | 35 |
| 58 | 3XL | 52 | 16/18 | 36 |
Russian sizes of men's trousers vary in the range of 42-70. British products are often marked with the UK bigram and assigned a numerical value within 32-64. The international standard provides designations from XXS to 5XL. Different systems are brought to a common denominator using a table of correspondences. Measurements can be taken on your own body or existing trousers. Calculations are made using a tailor's tape with a centimeter scale.
Correspondence of children's sizes to the height, weight, age and other parameters of the child
Gender differences in choosing trousers for a child are important from the age of 12. Special correspondence tables will help you buy clothes for a boy or girl with a minimum error. The inseam of children's trousers can be measured in the same way as in products for adults. Foreign textile products differ from Russian ones not only in the metric system of calculation, but also in the markings on the labels.
The waist is measured with a tailor's tape with a centimeter scale with the stomach pulled in. The main anthropometric parameter for children is height. For a child under 2 years old, the indicator is measured in a lying position. The hip volume is determined using the same centimeter tape. The length of the inseam is important when buying a school uniform, jeans for a teenager or sports pants.
Below is a size chart for children up to 12 years old:
| Age, years | Weight, kg | Height, cm | Hip circumference | Waist size | Inseam | Russian standard |
| 1 | 9-10 | 85 | 50-52 | 49-51 | 26 | 24 |
| 1.5 | 11-13 | 87 | 51-53 | 50-52 | 30 | 24 |
| 2 | 12-13.5 | 91 | 54-56 | 51-53 | 34 | 26 |
| 3 | 14-15 | 97 | 55-57 | 52-54 | 38 | 26 |
| 4 | 16-17 | 103 | 58-59 | 53-55 | 41 | 28 |
| 5 | 20-22 | 109 | 60-61 | 54-56 | 43 | 28 |
| 6 | 23-26 | 114 | 62-64 | 55-57 | 49 | 30 |
| 7 | 26-27 | 123 | 64-66 | 56-58 | 53 | 30 |
| 8 | 30-31 | 127 | 65-67 | 57-59 | 57 | 32 |
| 9 | 31-32 | 133 | 67-69 | 59-60 | 59 | 32 |
| 10 | 33-34 | 142 | 68-70 | 61-63 | 62 | 34 |
| 11 | 35-36 | 145 | 72-74 | 64-66 | 65 | 36 |
| 12 | 37-38 | 151 | 80-81 | 65-67 | 72 | 38 |
When purchasing French or Chinese trousers for a child, it should be taken into account that the height sizes indicated on the label differ from the Russian standard by 1 cm downwards. American brands produce trousers separately for boys and girls. Therefore, there are 2 correspondence tables. Clothing from the USA for children over 2 years old is distinguished by alphanumeric designations.
Italian and German brands usually exactly match the specified parameters of waist and hips, height and weight in cm. It is especially important to choose the right size when buying a warm jumpsuit. The model should not restrict the child's movements.
How to measure inseam
There are several ways to determine this parameter. The length of the inseam can be found out by taking measurements from your own body yourself or with the help of another person. To determine the indicator, trousers of a known suitable size are used. The accuracy of each method is relative. Errors cannot be ruled out when buying a wardrobe item without trying it on first.
Using ready-made trousers
The method involves taking measurements with a tailor's tape from the product in use. It is better to make calculations on a model that fits the body well and is not too loose. It is advisable to use a style similar to the one purchased.
It is better to measure the inseam on trousers made of natural fabric, and not on elastic stretchable material. Before purchasing straight suit trousers, it is not advisable to use a model with a low waist or made in the oversize style for taking measurements. The indicator will not be accurate due to style differences. The recommended length of the legs is to the ankles.
Taking measurements is performed according to the following algorithm:
- Fold the garment in half.
- Stretch the trousers on a flat, hard surface. A table or ironing board will do.
- Smooth out small folds and creases as before ironing.
- Place one end of the measuring tape at the intersection of the seams in the groin area and the other at the bottom edge of the trouser leg.
- Secure the measuring device in the desired position using a pin or sewing needle.
The tape should be laid out evenly, without excessive tension. This also applies to the item from which the measurement is taken. The desired indicator can be obtained without laying out the trousers. With the fingers of one hand, hold the lower edge of the legs, with the other - the place of the seam intersection in the groin area.
The tape can be laid out on a flat surface or fixed with your fingers along with the trousers. Both methods give relatively accurate results for measuring the length of the inseam.
With the help of a second person
For calculations using this method, it is better to wear tight-fitting tights made of thin fabric. Measurements on loose-fitting clothes or clothes made of dense material are fraught with low accuracy of the result. To align the posture and give the body a comfortable position, use a flat vertical surface - a door frame or a wall, against which you need to press your back tightly. Measurements are taken in a standard way.
The assistant applies one end of the tape measure with centimeter divisions to the ankles, and the other to the intersection of the inguinal seams. To obtain an accurate result, you can use a hardcover book. The printed product is fixed between the legs perpendicular to the wall surface and pressed as tightly as possible to the pubic bone. The assistant places one end of the flexible measuring device on the hard surface of the book.
The tape is lowered to the ankle along the inner surface of the thigh in a freely hanging position. This method is characterized by a relatively high accuracy of the result, which allows you to avoid mistakes when buying new trousers.
Overalls step size
In such a product, the parameter varies depending on the model and purpose of the product. There are summer, winter and demi-season options. They are made from fabrics of different densities. Insulating fillers are used in winter models. All this affects the length of the inseam. Women's trouser overalls are sewn with a low or high waistline.
The inseam of a summer model with shorts and clothing intended for skiing differs significantly in length.
The calculation methods are similar to those described above. The length of the crotch seam in one-piece children's overalls is measured with the arms raised. The tight-fitting version for girls with the upper part in the form of a bodysuit or a figure-constricting corset requires taking measurements in a free position of the body.
Shorts
The inseam in such a wardrobe item can be measured in the same way as in trousers. In shorts or breeches, its length is shorter than in items with standard legs. It is necessary to take into account the style of the purchased model. The length of the inseam in loose-fitting shorts is longer than in tight-fitting options. This parameter of such clothing items corresponds to the length of miniature trousers. Any of the above measurement methods is applicable to shorts.
Children's clothing
Each child develops physically at an individual pace. Therefore, the table values of average statistical clothing sizes may not correspond to the actual figures.
The inseam length for a child is measured with underwear on the body to achieve the most accurate result. For children under 3 years old, it is recommended to buy clothes according to height. The inseam length is considered an auxiliary and insignificant parameter. The indicator becomes important after the child reaches 12 years of age, when gender differences in the body structure of boys and girls are observed.
Graph of step length at different speeds
The indicator ensures ease of movement. The step size depends on height, body type, age. Clothing should not restrict movement. The step length on the corresponding graph varies depending on the mode of movement - running or walking.
Special calculation formulas have been developed that take into account height, constitution and body weight. For sports or an active lifestyle, it is better to choose models of trousers with an extended inseam. To calculate the running length, the height in cm is multiplied by a coefficient equal to 0.65. In accordance with the obtained value, the optimal inseam length of trousers or shorts is selected.
With a height of 175 cm, the value of a man's stride in a running state reaches 117.25 cm. The coefficient for women is 0.413. To determine the stride when walking, the height in cm is divided by 4. A coefficient of 37 is added to the resulting value.
Adviсe
When choosing the appropriate inseam length, it is important for girls to consider the shoes they plan to wear the trousers with. The parameter must be measured in accordance with the heel height. 5-10 cm are added to the standard value. It is better to buy children's clothes with a similar gap - "for growth".
Video on how to measure inseam
Inseam in jeans: