Where do you measure your waist?

Ok. So, I always have measured my waist where my belly button is, which is 29". However, I just read somewhere that you should measure your waist at the smallest point, which is about 27" on me. Which one is my true waist size?

I usually measure my waist in my bathroom. :D

The smallest part is your waist.   Its what makes it your waist.  Congrats you lost 2"!

True waist is your small curvy waist.

However, I measure both places and record both values. Even at my heaviest, my smaller waist was always 2-3 inches less than my belly button waist, so it was good for me to track both during weight loss. My biggest drop in inches was on my belly button wait (4-5 inches so far!).

Sometimes I see a drop in the belly button measurement, sometimes in both. It varies.

Your "natural" waist is the part of your torso area where it is the most concaved. But I too measure around the bellybutton area to see the changes there too.

Original Post by sun123:

I usually measure my waist in my bathroom. :D

The smallest part is your waist.   Its what makes it your waist.  Congrats you lost 2"!

LoL! I've never lost 2" so easily!

Ok. So, if the smallest part is my waist than why does it seem so high?! If I bought pants according to my true waist size I'd look like this lady! Ugh! The dreaded mom jean! I honestly can't believe those are coming back in style. Yuck!

your waist is at the smallest point.  I used to sell wedding dresses, and helped with measuring for alterations.  most girls get it mixed up and think its slightly above the hips, which is usually the widest point.    I cant stress this enough, but every designer makes their sizes different.   ordering from a cataloge is probable the worst thing you can do, becasue you cant try on the clothes first.  

for example, go to a store and try on 10 pairs of jeans in your size. make sure they all have different labels inside.  you will probably fit best in 2-3 pairs.     a lot of pants have the new low-rise style which fits below the belly button region. (this is not your waist.) I dunno... im just rambling at this point. hope my 2 cents helped. ;)

For ishipop  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTl6aJDlDiY

I grew up when high wasted jeans were popular so low rise jeans are the 70s hip huggers to me. 

Original Post by sun123:

For ishipop  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTl6aJDlDiY

I grew up when high wasted jeans were popular so low rise jeans are the 70s hip huggers to me. 

sun123- That's hilarious! I'm sending it to all my "mom" friends right now! LOL! Thank goodness, even though I'm a mom myself,  I never went the "mom jean" route!

I always wonder this too - I'm always convinced my measurements are wrong 'cos I swear I take them in a different place every time! I tend to think of mine as being at belly button level :)

most definately the smallest size- otherwise what is the point  of saying you are 36-26-36 ?    Just look at dress patterns - look up their measurement charts - its quite clear they mean the smallest point. Tie an elastic string around your waist - where it rest after moving around would the right place to measure. - it works well for dress patterns since that is were your clothes will tend to settle if there is elastic or a tie at the waist.  

Hi,

I've looked on a few government health advice websites for healthy eating and cancer etc. They all say that the correct place to measure it (for height to waist ratio) is half way between the bottom of your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone.

For dress sizes it varie

Your stomach/belly button is NOT your waist. And what's wrong with jeans that come to your natural waist? I think they look the most flattering because it enhances your curviness and shows how small your waist actually is instead of cutting you in half across your widest part (ie. your stomach.) You don't get muffin top with jeans the proper length because they hold everything in.

When they talk about your waist-to-hip ratio and how it relates to your health, they really mean your hip-to-stomach. I measure both...

I measure at my belly button, so I can be consistent.

your true waist is where you are the smallest. 

The problem wih jeans that come up to your true waist????  Since I have a long torso the jeans would literally come up from the crotch to my waist a total of 13".  Even to wear them at my belly button would be ridiculous.  You only get muffin top if they are too tight in the waist.  Go a size bigger and it will disappear.

13" !!!!!!!!!!!!  now THATS a mom jean!!!!!  And according to Clinton and Stacey - a NO-NO.  I am a mom but I dont want to look like MY mom!!  LOL

Hate to break it to everyone -- but if you're measuring for health reasons, the medical community considers your waist at your belly button.

http://www.webmd.com/diet/calculating-your-wa ist-circumference__

If you're in good shape, though, the circumference around that spot shouldn't be much different than the smallest point on your trunk anyway.