Jeans are the hardest thing to buy online. Two pairs with the same “W32” on the tag can fit completely differently, and with thrift there’s no second pair in the next size. This guide explains what jeans sizes really mean, why the tag can mislead you, and how to measure a pair you own so you can order thrifted jeans in Pakistan with confidence.
What W32 L32 means
Most denim brands, including Levi’s, Wrangler and Lee, size jeans by two numbers in inches:
- W (waist): the waist size in inches, for example W32.
- L (length): the inside leg, or inseam, in inches, for example L32.
Some brands, especially Asian ones, give the waist in centimetres instead. To convert, divide by 2.54: 76 cm is about W30, 81 cm about W32 and 86 cm about W34. Our clothing size conversion guide covers more of these.
Why the tag size isn’t the real size
The number on the tag is a label, not a measurement. Brands cut differently, many size generously, and older denim can shrink or stretch with years of washing and wearing. A pair tagged W32 can easily measure one to three inches away from 32. Stretch denim (with elastane) also gives a little once you wear it. That’s why the most reliable way to buy jeans online is to compare real measurements.
How to measure a pair of jeans you own
Take a pair that fits you the way you like. Button and zip them, lay them flat and smooth them out. Then measure:
- Waist: straight across the top of the waistband, from one side to the other. Double it to get the full waist.
- Inseam: along the inside leg seam, from the crotch seam down to the bottom of the hem.
- Front rise: from the crotch seam up to the top of the waistband at the front. This decides where the jeans sit: a low rise sits on the hips, a high rise closer to the navel.
- Thigh: straight across one leg, about an inch below the crotch.
- Leg opening: straight across the hem at the bottom of one leg.
Waist and inseam tell you whether the jeans will close and reach your shoes. Rise, thigh and leg opening tell you the shape: skinny, slim, straight or bootcut.
Comparing with a listing
Every pair in our thrifted jeans collection is measured flat in inches. If a pair’s waist is within about an inch of yours (or up to two inches with stretch denim), and the rise and thigh are close, it should fit much like your own pair. Inseam can be a little longer, since jeans can be turned up or taken up by any tailor; a shorter inseam is harder to fix.
Fits in brief
- Straight: the same width from knee to hem. Classic Levi’s 501s are the best-known example.
- Slim: narrower through the thigh and leg, but not tight.
- Skinny: close to the leg all the way down.
- Bootcut: fitted at the knee and slightly wider at the hem, made to sit over boots.
Check it’s not a women’s pair
Thrift stock arrives mixed, and many women’s jeans look unisex on the hanger. A women’s cut on a man’s body usually means tight thighs, a gap at the back of the waist and a rise that sits too high. We explain how to tell them apart in men’s vs women’s jeans.
Shop jeans with confidence
Browse preloved Levi’s, Wrangler and Lee, or read our guide to vintage Levi’s. If you’re unsure, send us your measurements on WhatsApp or Instagram and we’ll check them against the pair for you. Lundapur is an online thrift store in Pakistan, delivering nationwide.