How to Take Your Measurements

Happy New Year!!

We at Alpine Parrot are SO EXCITED for 2021, and we hope you’re ready for some fun this year.

Today we are sharing something that’s been in the works for a very long time: our size chart. While this might seem simple (every brand has one, right?), it’s actually something that took months of development and trial and error to get right. 

One of the most difficult things about finalizing our size chart came from the lack of consistency across other brands—a size 18 for one company might be a size 20 at another. This can not only be confusing but extremely frustrating if you wear pants from different brands. We spent a lot of time working on our size chart in an effort to be consistent with as many brands that you might already be familiar with as possible, while still working to provide a “true” and comfortable fit for you. 

At the end of the day, this variation between brands causes one big problem: finding the right fit with clothing is HARD. We want to solve this problem for you with Alpine Parrot pants and beyond by empowering you with the knowledge of how to take your measurements. Hopefully this means that, no matter the size chart, you understand how to provide your body with the proper fit to allow you to do incredible things. 

Now before you get nervous (because everyone does), I’d like to humbly remind you that your body is an incredible piece of art. And in order to protect that art and use it to its fullest abilities, you need clothing that fits you. Your measurements are simply numbers that enable you to find apparel that fits–no size is bad, so let’s get that notion out of our heads before we begin. 

Take a deep breath. Ready? Let’s go!

Taking Measurements:

If you are a visual learner, we’ve made a video!

If you prefer text, here we go:

What you need:

• 2 lengths of ¼” elastic, long enough to go around your body and tie a bow. If you don’t have elastic, you can use non-elastic string, but note that it may be difficult to keep the string in the right spot. If you do end up using string, let us know how it turns out!
  
• Measuring tape, also long enough to go around the juiciest parts of your body
  
• [optional, if you are uncomfortable with knowing your numbers or do not have measuring tape] Twill tape (or another, non-elastic type of string that you can cut to length)

All of these can be found at your local fabric store or online. 

What to wear:

• Form-fitting clothing, like leggings and a tank top (or you can be in your underwear, if you want!)
• Note that clothing that is too loose or too tight may distort your measurements

What to do:

1. Find your waist. Here at Alpine Parrot, we define the waist as the crease point where your body bends side to side. If you remember the “I’m a little teapot” song from elementary school, sing that song while bending to the side, and take note of where you bend. 
   
2. Tie a piece of elastic around your waist at this point. Make sure it is parallel to the ground.
   
3. Find your hip. We define the hip as the juiciest part of your bottom. Whether that includes your booty, your belly, or both, make sure it’s the biggest part of your lower body.
   
4. Tie a piece of elastic around your body at this point. Make sure it is parallel to the ground and parallel to your waist elastic.
   
5. Using the measuring tape or twill tape, measure around your body, just below each piece of elastic - not above, not on top of, but just below. You want the top edge of the tape to touch the bottom edge of the elastic. 
   
6. The measurement around your waist is, as you may have guessed, your waist measurement. The measurement around your juicy bottom is your hip measurement. You don’t need perfection here; to the closest ½” or centimeter is sufficient. If you’re using twill tape, we recommend cutting the tape for each measurement and labeling the tape with the location (e.g. waist), so that you can have them all separately.
   
7. For extra credit, measure your thigh. We define the thigh as the juiciest part of your larger thigh (don’t worry, most people have one thigh ever so slightly larger than the other). In general, this measurement will be about an inch below your crotch, but it’s not a hard-and-fast rule. No need to use elastic here.
   
8. If you used twill tape, either give it to a friend to determine the lengths of the tape or use a ruler to measure. 

How to apply your measurements to the size chart:

Take your waist, hip, and thigh measurements and check them against the size chart 🎉

So, for example, if your measurements are 40” in the waist and 50” in the hips, you’ll probably be happiest in the 18 Mountain. If your measurements are 42” in the waist and 50” in the hips, you’ll probably be happiest in the 20 River. 

The Ponderosa Pant has a significant amount of stretch in them, so you’ll have to decide for yourself how you want your hiking pants to feel. For a roomier fit, go with a size up. For a leggings-like fit, go with a size down.

If you’re between sizes (which is totally normal!), you’ll probably be happy in either size - again, it depends on how you want the pants to feel around your body. And, of course, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!