Sweatpants sizing centers on comfort as much as exact measurements, since most styles use an elastic or drawstring waistband that adjusts within a small range. Even so, checking your waist, hip, and inseam measurements against the chart helps you avoid a pair that feels too tight or too loose through the leg.

How to Measure

Waist: measure around your natural waistline, since this is where the elastic waistband will sit. Hips: measure around the fullest part of your hips. Inseam: measure from the crotch seam to the bottom of the leg. Rise: measure from the crotch seam to the top of the waistband. Leg opening: measure straight across the bottom of the pant leg, which matters more here than on trousers since some sweatpants use a tapered or elastic cuff.

How to Choose Your Size

Because the waistband has some stretch, you have a bit more flexibility here than with structured pants. Use your waist measurement as your starting point, and size up if you prefer a looser, more relaxed fit through the hips and thighs. If you are between sizes, consider whether you want a tapered leg that sits closer to your ankle or a relaxed leg with more room throughout, since that affects which size will feel more comfortable.

Fit Notes

Most Essentials sweatpants use a relaxed fit through the hip and thigh, tapering slightly toward the ankle depending on the style. Some versions run wider and more relaxed throughout, so check the specific product description for terms like relaxed, tapered, or wide leg before finalizing your size, since these terms describe real differences in how each pair sits.