Most guys have no idea where their hips actually are. Seriously. If you ask a random man to point to his hips, he’ll probably grab his love handles or the bony top of his pelvis where his belt sits. He’s wrong.
Getting a precise read on how to measure hips men is often the difference between looking like you’re wearing a diaper in tailored trousers or actually looking sharp. It’s not just for guys obsessed with the gym or those trying to track weight loss progress. It’s for anyone who wants clothes that actually fit the human body they inhabit.
Most sizing charts for brands like Levi’s or Bonobos rely on a waist measurement, but the hip is the true anchor for how fabric drapes. If you’ve ever had "pocket flare"—where your trouser pockets stick out like elephant ears—your hip measurement is the culprit. You bought for the waist, but ignored the seat.
The Anatomy of the Male Hip (And Why You're Doing it Wrong)
In the world of tailoring, "hips" and "seat" are basically interchangeable. We aren’t looking for the iliac crest (that bony ridge on your side). We’re looking for the widest part of your glutes.
Biology plays a trick on us here. Men’s pelvises are narrower than women’s, generally speaking. Because of this, the "widest point" isn't always obvious just by looking in a mirror from the front. You have to turn sideways.
To get a real sense of how to measure hips men, you need a flexible tailor’s tape. Do not use a metal construction tape measure. It doesn't wrap; it kinks. If you don't have a flexible tape, use a piece of string and then lay it flat against a ruler. It’s a bit janky, but it works in a pinch.
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The Step-by-Step Walkthrough
First, strip down. You can't do this over jeans. Even thin chinos will add half an inch of bulk that throws off the math. Ideally, do this in your underwear or nothing at all.
Stand in front of a full-length mirror. Your feet should be together—not shoulder-width apart, not staggered. Together. If your feet are apart, your thigh muscles flare out and push the tape, giving you an inflated number.
- Find the Apex: Turn to the side and look for the fullest part of your buttocks. This is usually about 7 to 9 inches below your natural waistline.
- The Wrap: Wrap the tape around your back, over the peak of your glutes, and bring it to the front.
- The Level Check: This is where everyone fails. Look in the mirror. Is the tape sagging in the back? Is it hiked up over your hip bones in the front? It needs to be a perfectly horizontal plane, parallel to the floor.
- The Tension: Don't pull it tight. You aren't trying to squeeze yourself into a smaller size. The tape should just "rest" on the skin.
- The Two-Finger Rule: Slide two fingers under the tape. If you can do that without the tape digging into your skin or falling down, you’ve found your measurement.
Write it down. Don't trust your memory. You'll forget it by the time you open a browser tab to look at a size guide.
Why This Number Actually Matters for Your Wardrobe
If you’re buying off-the-rack, companies use "vanity sizing." A 34-inch waist in one brand might be a 36 in another. But hip measurements are harder to fake. They represent the actual volume of your lower chassis.
Take a brand like Spier & Mackay or SuitSupply. They provide "garment measurements" for their trousers. If your actual hip measurement is 40 inches, you need the garment's hip measurement to be at least 42 inches. That’s called "ease." Without those extra two inches, you won't be able to sit down without fearing a seam explosion.
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Athletic builds have it the worst. If you squat heavy, your glutes and quads are likely disproportionate to your waist. You might have a 32-inch waist but a 42-inch hip. If you buy "Slim Fit" 32s, they won't even get past your mid-thigh. You have to buy for the hip and then have a tailor take in the waist. It’s an extra $20, but you’ll actually look like a grown-up.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Sucking it in: Your hips don't care about your breath. Sucking in your stomach doesn't change your hip measurement, so just relax.
- Measuring too high: If you’re at the bone, you’re too high.
- Posture: Don't lean forward to see the tape. That tilts your pelvis and changes the circumference. Stand tall. Look in the mirror to read the number, don't look down at your crotch.
Tracking Health and Body Composition
Beyond clothing, knowing how to measure hips men is a key part of the Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR). This is a metric often used by health professionals to determine visceral fat distribution.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a ratio of 0.90 or less for men indicates a lower risk for cardiovascular issues and type 2 diabetes. To find yours, you just divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement.
Example:
If your waist is 32 and your hips are 38: $32 / 38 = 0.84$. You're in the clear.
If your waist is 40 and your hips are 38: $40 / 38 = 1.05$. That’s the "apple" shape, and it’s usually a signal that it’s time to look at your metabolic health.
Tailoring Secrets: The "Rise" Connection
Your hip measurement also dictates the "rise" of your trousers. The rise is the distance from the middle of the crotch seam to the top of the waistband. If you have larger hips/glutes, you generally need a "longer" or "higher" rise.
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Low-rise jeans on a guy with big hips look... well, they look like they're falling off. They create that dreaded "plumber's crack" effect the moment you bend over. By knowing your hip size, you can look for "Contemporary" or "Classic" fits that offer more room in the seat, ensuring the pants actually stay where they're supposed to.
The Material Factor
Denim stretches. Wool doesn't.
When you measure your hips, keep the fabric in mind. If you’re buying 100% cotton raw denim, that hip measurement is a hard limit. It might stretch half an inch over a month, but it’s going to be painful getting there. If you’re buying performance chinos with 2% elastane, you have a bit more wiggle room—literally.
Actionable Next Steps
Stop guessing. Take five minutes right now to get your numbers.
- Buy a flexible tape measure: They cost $3 on Amazon or at any drug store.
- Measure three times: Take the measurement, let go, and do it again. If you get three different numbers, take the average.
- Save it in your phone: Create a note titled "My Sizes." Include your waist, hip, inseam, and chest.
- Check the Size Charts: Next time you shop online, ignore the "34-32" tag. Look for the "Size Guide" link and find the actual hip/seat circumference.
Knowing your hip measurement puts you ahead of about 90% of other men when it comes to style and self-awareness. It’s the difference between wearing your clothes and letting your clothes wear you.
Once you have that number, compare it to your favorite pair of pants. Lay those pants flat, measure across the base of the fly from edge to edge, and double that number. That’s the "garment hip." If it matches your body measurement too closely, you know why those pants feel tight. Move toward a fit that gives you at least 2 inches of breathing room for a standard look, or 3 to 4 inches for a relaxed, modern aesthetic.