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Outseam vs. Inseam: What Are The Differences?

What is the first thing you look at while buying a pair of jeans? Probably the style, right? You like the way they look, the color, and of course, before trying them on, you take a look at the size. We are all familiar with waist size and length, but did you know about outseam and inseam measurements? How many of us refuse to buy a pair of jeans online? A lot, right?

There is no way to know if they will fit you right without tying them on. Well, being aware of the outseam and inseam length might just be what you are looking for in order to do shopping for pants online and in person. So in today’s article, we’re going to talk about Outseam vs. Inseam!

Key Takeaways

  • The difference between the inseam and outseam is the side of the pant you are measuring
  • Inseam and outseam measurements can help you find the right pants for you
  • The inseam and outseam measurements can help you predict how your jeans will look on your body.

Outseam vs. Inseam: Comparison

Where do I find the inseam?

It is very simple. The inseam runs from the middle of the crotch to the bottom of the pant leg. So, if you want to take your inseam measurement, just take your favorite pair of pants that fit you perfectly, and with measuring tape, measure the length from the middle of the crotch, where the zipper usually is, to the bottom of the pant leg. Now you have your inseam measurement.

Where do I find the outseam?

As you probably guessed by now, the outseam is a measurement that goes from the waist to the bottom of the pant leg but on the outer side. If you want to measure your outseam length, you need to repeat the steps we mentioned above, but make sure to measure on the outside.

Why is this important to me?

Let’s say that you are shopping online and you see a pair of jeans that you like. You go to order, and you open the table with measurements. There you find your usual waist size and length, but you also notice inseam and outseam measurements. How can this help you?

Usually, the outseam is longer than the inseam by a quarter. This is pretty obvious to us after we learned how to take the measurements. So what can I do with this information?

Let’s say that the inseam is shorter, which might cause discomfort while sitting down or when you try to spread your legs. A shorter inseam can make your pants difficult to pull up to your waist.  On the other hand, if the inseam and outseam are longer, then you might have trouble having a good fit because the pants will look baggy on your body.

We see how this can be an issue. Imagine scrolling through Instagram and you see someone wearing a pair of jeans that fit them like a glove. You think to yourself: ‘’Hmm, I want those’’. So you ask for a link, and the person sends it over to you. You go to the measuring chart, and luckily they have the outseam and inseam measurements.

However, you notice something strange. The inseam and the outseam are closer in length than you would expect. Based on these facts, you can conclude that the jeans are probably low-rise, and you must consider that before purchasing. Do you like how low-rise jeans look on you? Would the jeans stay up on your hips? Will they be uncomfortable sitting in?

On the other hand, you might come across a pair of jeans with an inseam that is much shorter than an outseam. This means that these jeans are high-waisted, and it would be best to measure precisely where the waistband sits on your body to avoid purchasing a pair of jeans you will be uncomfortable in.


How Does this help me to choose the Perfect Jeans?

As we mentioned, typically, the inseam is shorter than the outseam by a quarter, so keep that in mind when you go shopping. If you want to find the inseam and outseam measurements, you can check the label or take some measuring tape with you and see for yourself. Knowing your other measurement, including the waist, is also very helpful. It would be best if you kept in mind that the material is significant. Are the jeans lightweight denim or heavy? Do they stretch, and what works best for you?

You can also save yourself from an unsuccessful shopping trip by ordering custom-made jeans. The professional tailors will take all your measurements and make the jeans of your dreams appear in front of you. This solution is on the pricier side, but you probably won’t find the “dream jeans” in your local retail store since they only carry jeans with the standard length and width measurements. Of course, it is impossible to fit all people in those general measurements, so many people struggle to find the right jeans.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect fitting pair of pants, especially jeans, can be pretty difficult. Most of the jeans you can find at your local retailer are made with standard measurements, and these cannot fit millions of different body types. However, you can use the knowledge you gained from this article to make your shopping experience easier.

The difference between inseam and outseam is the side of the pants that is measured. The length difference between the two is usually a quarter. With this in mind, we can figure out how the pants will fit our bodies. A shorter inseam means that the pants are most probably going to be low-waisted and will sit lower on our hips.

On the other hand, a longer inseam means that the pants will have a deeper crotch and the waistband will sit somewhere below our ribcage.  So the next time you are looking for a good pair of jeans, remember our tips, and there is no doubt in our minds that you will have a successful shopping trip.

Further Reading

Continue reading more blogs to learn things like whether fabric glue is washable. A list of top leather sewing machines and a list of cobbler sewing machines are also available.

The Juki HZL-DX7 review, it is a great machine indeed.

Not only that but you can also check out the reviews of the Singer 3337 and the Brother LX3817, two well-known sewing machines in the market.