Finding the right fit at Abercrombie used to be a nightmare back in the early 2000s. Honestly, if you weren't a specific "type," you were basically out of luck. But things have changed. A lot. Today, the abercrombie and fitch pants size chart is one of the most inclusive in the retail world, though it can still be confusing if you’re staring at a screen trying to decide between "Curve Love" and "Classic."
Getting it right matters. You don't want to deal with the hassle of returns.
Decoding the Women’s Size Chart
For women, Abercrombie uses a mix of numeric (000–37) and alpha (XXS–XXL) sizing. Most of their structured pants and jeans use the numeric system based on your waist measurement in inches.
Here is how those numbers generally break down for the waist:
- Size 23 (000): Fits a 23-inch waist.
- Size 24 (00): Fits a 24-inch waist.
- Size 25 (0): Fits a 25-inch waist.
- Size 26 (2): Fits a 26-inch waist.
- Size 27 (4): Fits a 27-inch waist.
- Size 28 (6): Fits a 28-inch waist.
- Size 29 (8): Fits a 29-inch waist.
- Size 30 (10): Fits a 30-inch waist.
- Size 31 (12): Fits a 31-inch waist.
- Size 32 (14): Fits a 32-inch waist.
It goes all the way up to size 37 now. This is a huge shift from a decade ago. If you’re looking at sweatpants or the "YPB" activewear line, you’ll see XXS to XXL. Usually, an XS covers sizes 23–25, a Small covers 26–27, and a Medium covers 28–29.
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The Curve Love Factor
This is where people get tripped up. The Curve Love line is a game changer for anyone who has a "waist gap." Basically, if your jeans fit your thighs but you can fit a whole fist in the back of the waistband, you need Curve Love.
It isn't about being "plus size." It’s about the ratio.
Curve Love pants have the exact same waist measurement as the Classic fit, but they add an extra 2 inches of room in the hips and thighs. If you have an hourglass or pear shape, stick to your normal waist size but choose the Curve Love option. If you have a straighter, more athletic build, the Classic fit will likely be your best bet.
Understanding Inseams and Lengths
One thing Abercrombie does better than almost anyone else is length variety. They don’t just have "Short" and "Long." They have five different options in many styles.
- Extra Short: Roughly a 26.25-inch inseam. Great for those 5'0" and under.
- Short: Roughly a 28.25-inch inseam. Usually perfect for heights 5'1" to 5'3".
- Regular: Roughly a 30.25-inch inseam. Designed for the 5'4" to 5'7" range.
- Long: Roughly a 32.25-inch inseam. Best for 5'8" to 5'10".
- Extra Long: Roughly 34+ inches. If you’re 5'11" or taller, or if you want that "puddled" look over your sneakers, this is it.
Keep in mind that the "Sloane Tailored Pant"—which is incredibly popular right now—is designed to hit the bottom of a flat shoe. If you plan on wearing heels with them, you might actually want to size up in the length.
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The Men’s Sizing Breakdown
For guys, the abercrombie and fitch pants size chart is a bit more straightforward because it uses traditional waist and inseam measurements (e.g., 32x32).
The waist sizes typically run from 26 to 40.
Men’s Inseam Guide:
- Short: 30-inch inseam.
- Regular: 32-inch inseam.
- Long: 34-inch inseam.
- Extra Long: 36-inch inseam.
A common piece of feedback from guys on Reddit and fashion forums is that the "Athletic Slim" fit is the "Curve Love" equivalent for men. It offers more room in the quads and glutes while tapering at the ankle. If you squat or just have naturally thicker legs, the "Standard" or "Slim" fits might feel like leg prisons. Go Athletic.
Real-World Fit Tips (What the Charts Don’t Tell You)
Charts are great, but denim is tricky.
Rigid vs. Stretch: If the pants are 100% cotton (often labeled as "Vintage Inspired" or "Rigid"), they will not stretch. At all. In fact, they might feel tight after a wash. Many people size up by one for 100% cotton styles. If the pants have 1% or 2% elastane or lyocell, they’ll have some "give."
The 90s Straight Jean: This is their bestseller. It runs very true to size in the waist but is quite loose in the leg. If you want it to look "cleaner," some people actually size down, but be careful with the waistband if you do that.
The Sloane Pant: These have a partially elasticated waistband in the back. This makes them very forgiving. If you are between sizes, you can often go with the smaller size because of that hidden stretch.
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How to Measure Yourself Properly
Don't guess. Take two minutes to measure.
Waist: Measure around the smallest part of your torso. This is usually right above your belly button. Don't suck it in.
Hips: Measure around the fullest part of your butt and hips. This is the number that determines if you need Curve Love. If your hip measurement is 10+ inches larger than your waist, Curve Love is your friend.
Inseam: Measure from your crotch down to where you want the pants to end.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Order
- Check the fabric composition: Look for "Elastane" if you want stretch. If it says "100% Cotton," expect a break-in period.
- Compare your hip-to-waist ratio: If the difference is more than 10 inches, choose Curve Love.
- Consider your shoes: Buy "Long" for heels/boots and "Regular" for sneakers if you're on the height borderline.
- Read the reviews for "Fit": Abercrombie’s website now has a "Fit" bar that shows if customers think an item runs "Small," "True to Size," or "Large." Trust that bar—it's based on thousands of real purchases.
If you are still unsure, ordering two sizes and returning one is a common strategy, as Abercrombie’s return policy is generally straightforward, but measuring yourself first will save you the trip to the post office.