Have you ever tried really hard to read an underwear size chart and still ended up with the wrong fit? It’s not a good feeling, especially if you order online. After spending time choosing your favorite pair of high waisted underwear or mens briefs and then anticipating your order, it’s extra disappointing to get the wrong size.

To help you get the perfect pair that hugs your bum in all the right places, WAMA created the ultimate size chart. Not only will you find sizes that correspond to your body, but also measurement instructions and a fit guide for different underwear styles. So whether you’re restocking your undies drawer or buying a new hemp bra , now you’ll always find the right size. *Cue happy dance*

To properly use an underwear size chart, you need to know your body measurements. Then, use the chart to find the size that corresponds with those figures. Easy peasy, right? Not so fast—there are specific techniques to measure each part of your body correctly.

You may think you measure your waist in the right spot, but you may end up with the wrong fit if you place the measuring tape too high or too low. And men and women need to measure differently, as our bodies aren’t structured the same way.

To get started, all you need is a flexible fabric tape measurer and a pen and paper to jot down your findings. Below, you’ll find precise instructions on how to measure your body to find the perfect fit. Plus, I added some tips and tricks to help you along the way. You can thank me later!

For women’s underwear styles , you’ll need to measure in two places: at your waist and hips. Although some stores offer to measure while shopping, you’ll need to do it at home if ordering online (or if you want to shop on your own). Then you’ll use the panty size chart to find your correct underwear size.

To get the most accurate figures, follow these three steps:

1. Wear your birthday suit, your underwear, or tight-fitting clothing.
2. Stand up straight and tall on an even surface.
3. Keep your feet together.

Stand in front of a mirror and move your waist from side to side. Where the bend occurs is your natural waistline and where you want to measure. It should be somewhere between the top of your hip bones and the bottom of your rib cage. Now, wrap your measuring tape around that line. You want the tape to be snug and even, but not too tight.

To find your proper hip size, put the measuring tape around the widest part of your hips and cheeks. Once you find it, hold the end of the tape on one hip and wrap it around your body. If you don’t keep the tape snug, it might slip too high or be uneven. Insert a finger between your body and the tape to loosen it up just a bit.

Now that you know your measurements, use the panty size chart below to determine how to order your underwear. Don’t fret about the number—the average women’s waist is 38.7 inches . Remember you are gorgeous and simply compare your figures with the chart to order the corresponding size.

Here you’ll find the women’s underwear size chart for WAMA. Let’s say your waist measured at 33 inches and your hips at 44. In that case, you’d order a size XL. But if you’re in between sizes (a 33-inch waist but 45-inch hips, for example), then the general rule of thumb is to size down.

When you measure your body for bras, you also need to focus on two areas. First, you’ll measure your bust to determine the size of your breasts (cups). Then, measure your underbust to find the size of your rib cage (band).

WAMA offers two bralettes, the triangle bralette , and the racerback bralette . If you’re wondering what is a bralette , you’ll discover that this style is a bit different than a conventional bra. There’s no padding or underwire, so a bralette simply enhances the natural shape of your breasts. You won’t choose a standard bra size with cups and bands, but instead, sizes XS-3XL.

To get an accurate measurement, follow these tips:

1. Get naked.
2. Stand up straight with your shoulder back on an even surface.
3. Relax, and don’t hold your breath.

Stand up straight, but use natural posture (don’t push your chest out). Measure around the fullest part of your bust while keeping the measuring tape slightly loose. Use the same tip as when measuring your hips: keep the tape snug on one side of your chest and wrap the tape around your body. This way, it won’t slip or measure unevenly.

Now do the same thing but for your underbust. Your underbust is where your bra’s band should sit, which is directly below the bottom of your boobs. For this measurement, you do want a tighter fit. Make sure the tape stays even and doesn’t move up your back.

A typical size chart would include a band size and a cup size for conventional bras, like 36C. But your measuring tape doesn’t have those figures. For WAMA’s bralettes, the sizes correlate to typical bra sizes to help you find the right fit.

Below is WAMA’s size chart for hemp bralettes.

Men and women have different body shapes, so measuring is a little different, too. Men only need to focus on one area of their body: the waist. You don’t need to measure your hips because all men’s underwear styles hit at the core.

To get the best measurement, follow these tips:

1. Go commando or wear just your underwear or tight-fitting clothing.
2. Stand up straight on an even surface.
3. Keep your feet together.

First, find your waist. For men, your natural waist sits right above your hip bone, usually just below or in line with your belly button. You can also bend to the side to find where the natural crease occurs.

When you find it, secure the measuring tape on one side with your finger and wrap it around your waist. Keep the tape a little loose so that it doesn’t pinch your skin when you take a deep breath. Check to make sure nothing is uneven.

Now that you know your waist measurement, you can discover the size that will fit you best. Again, no need to concentrate on the figures (the average waist size of a man is 40.5 inches ). Simply use the chart below to find the size that correlates best with your numbers. WAMA offers men’s sizes ranging from small to 4XL.

The chart is relatively straightforward. Just find the measurement of your waist to get your size. For example, if you have a 36-inch waist, you’re a size XL.

Measuring your body and finding the right underwear size is just the first part of the process. An underwear size guide doesn’t indicate how your underwear should fit. Maybe you measured correctly, but something just doesn’t feel right. Most likely, your measuring skills will get you to the right size, but to ensure you’re comfortable, follow the tips below.

For women, your underwear should fit well in four distinct areas: on the waistband, around your butt, at the top of your legs, and over your crotch. When you put your underwear on, stand tall and observe what’s going on.

Your waistband should fit snug around your waist but not too tight. The band is crucial because it holds your undies up and keeps the fabric taut. If it’s too tight, it can cause painful pinching. To know it fits right, it should lay flat without stretching too far.

Your underwear fabric should wrap comfortably across your butt with a slight stretch. The stretch helps everything stay in place, but again, you don’t want it too tight. You also don’t want the material to sag. If you find yourself in either situation, you may start asking, why do I keep getting wedgies ?! (Hint: your underwear doesn’t fit right.)

The fabric of your leg openings should sit on your skin without any bunching, pinching, or rolling up. The material should arch evenly with plenty of room for your legs and butt cheeks to move about freely.

The material should also lay flat across your crotch without sagging or pulling up into a front wedgie.

For your bralette, you’ll focus on the fit of two parts: the band and the straps. When you put your bralette on, make sure the band is just below the bottom of your boobs and that you’ve adjusted the straps. According to the New York Times, 80% of women wear the wrong bra size. I don’t want that for you!

The band should fit evenly around your torso, meaning no riding up the back. And the front of the band should lay flat against your chest, especially in the middle between your boobs. If there’s space between your skin and the band because your breasts are large, then you probably need to increase the size.

Straps should fit lightly on your shoulders with enough space to easily put one finger between the fabric and your skin. They shouldn’t cause any indentations but also shouldn’t be too loose or fall off the shoulders. On your back, the straps should form a straight line without any curving.

The fit of men’s underwear is important because it can impact your health. Men who wear too tight of underwear tend to have lower sperm counts—yikes! In one Harvard study, men who wore looser styles (like boxers) instead of tight styles (like briefs) had a 25% higher sperm concentration. Those who wore restrictive underwear didn’t necessarily have an issue conceiving, but the sperm count and hormone levels were different.

So how should men’s underwear fit to stay healthy and comfy down there? You need to look at the same factors as women’s underwear: the waistband, butt, legs, and crotch.

For men, the waistband should also lay flat against your waist without any pinching. You want it to stretch so that your undies stay up and the fabric stays in place. But if it’s too tight, you might also be singing the wedgie blues.

The material of your underwear should snugly wrap around your butt without any sagging. If there’s too much extra fabric, it can bunch or ride up into your crack. Not comfy.

Men’s leg holes should fit loosely and not too tight. If you’re wearing briefs, you should have even arches at the top of your thighs. And for boxer styles, the legs should fit snugly around your upper thighs. In both types, you shouldn’t have any pinching or twisting.

Here’s where you can make sure your sperm count is top-notch. Although you want your underwear to hug your butt, the crotch should be a bit loose. It may be close to the skin, and that’s okay, but you don’t want it constricting anything.

The size of one underwear type may not be the same as another, and your size chart won’t help you navigate this particular challenge. That's why I've included how each style should fit so you can find the best size for your body.

Styles fit the body differently, and women can typically choose between five underwear types: bikini underwear , hipster panties , boy shorts underwear , thong underwear , and high waisted underwear .

Bikini underwear offers just enough coverage while sitting lower on the waist near the hips. They stay in place as you move without any bunching or slippage. The fabric should lay flat across your body, hugging against your hips.

High waisted underwear has similar coverage of the butt as bikini briefs but offers additional fabric and support across the tummy and waist. You’ll feel more supported while still giving a hint of cheek. The material shouldn’t sag or bunch on the back or at the hips.

Hipster panties , or cheeky underwear, have more coverage than briefs, but not as much as boyshorts. It’s a good in-between option. They sit at the waist and cover more of the hips and cheeks, hugging the butt but not stretching too tight against your body.

Boy shorts underwear is one step above hipsters when it comes to coverage. They feel more like boxers (that’s right, girls wear boxers , too!) by covering the hips, cheeks, and upper thighs. The leg holes offer a flexible fit without any sagging in the back or on the sides.

Thong underwear offers the least coverage, but they’re great for avoiding panty lines. Plus, thongs offer a nice breezy feel. The fabric should sit inside your crack, but it shouldn’t be too tight. You don’t need to feel like you have a terrible wedgie all day.

For bralettes, there are two styles offered by WAMA: triangle bralette and racerback bralette . Both provide a relaxed fit compared to conventional bras and help to enhance your natural shape.

The triangle bralette offers a traditional fit, but it’s also great for low-cut looks and features convertible straps. The band should fit flat against your body without pinching your skin. The fabric should cover your boobs, holding them in place while still allowing for natural movement and flexibility.

The racerback bralette offers full coverage with more fabric. It gives you full support without any underwire and fits similar to a sports bra. The entire back should sit flat on your skin without bunching or pinching. And for the front, it should cover most of your chest and curve around your sides.

The racerback bralette offers full coverage with more fabric. It gives you full support without any underwire and fits similar to a sports bra. The entire back should sit flat on your skin without bunching or pinching. And for the front, it should cover most of your chest and curve around your sides.

Men typically choose from four different underwear styles: mens briefs , mens boxer briefs , mens boxers , and trunks underwear .

Mens briefs have the least coverage of men's underwear while still offering support. They have a classic triangle shape that fits snug around your hips and butt. The fabric covers and supports your front with plenty of room for natural movement.

Mens boxer briefs offer far more coverage than traditional briefs, with a fitted form and legs that cover your entire upper thighs. You should feel that the fabric is snug and stays in place as you walk, but with lots of room in the front.

Ah yes, the old boxers vs briefs debate. Mens boxers provide more coverage than briefs with leg support down to the mid-thigh. The fabric hugs your hips, butt, and upper thighs without bunching when you move around, and the looseness at the bottom of the leg holes offers a nice breezy feel.

Trunks underwear is similar to boxer briefs but just slightly shorter. You’ll still get the same coverage and support, but the legs will stop at the top of the upper thigh. They should be snug on the back and loose in the front.

So you carefully completed the measurements and ordered the corresponding size, but your underwear doesn’t fit right. Now what? WAMA has their First Pair Guarantee to help you find your perfect first pair.

WAMA guarantees your first pair of undies no matter what—if your first pair doesn’t fit or look right, you can exchange them for another size, color, or style, or, if you’d rather, a refund. No questions asked and no returns needed.

Why does WAMA offer a First Pair Guarantee? Every day across the United States, over 11 million pounds of discarded underwear end up in a landfill. That staggering statistic is exactly why WAMA uses sustainable underwear and helps you find the right size before you stock up.

The First Pair Guarantee is only for that very first pair of underwear—whether it’s a thong, bralette, or boxers. But if you need to return an order after your first pair, WAMA’s general refund policy still helps you find the right fit. You have a full 90 days to return any unworn and unwashed underwear in its original condition for either a refund or exchange. And if you’re in the US, return postage is included.

If you need to get in touch, use live chat on WAMA’s website, send an email , or get in touch through the contact page .

I know that finding underwear that fits perfectly is a challenge, but you don’t have to join the men and women going commando . Now you have a full, comprehensive guide to help you get a dreamy fit the first time. Measure correctly, find your size, find your fit, and choose the right fabric. If you do all that, you’ll be shaking your booty in celebration in no time!

Let me know, what’s your go-to underwear style? What fits best every single time? Drop a comment below!