Inseam

Inseam is measured from the crotch seam straight down to the hem of the leg opening, and it is the single most reliable number for judging whether a pair of pants will actually reach your shoes. Waist size alone tells a store almost nothing about leg length, which is why tall shoppers so often end up with pants that ride up above the ankle after a few wears, no matter how well the waist fits.

Most mainstream men's and women's lines stop around a 32 or 34 inch inseam, which leaves anyone taller than roughly six feet without enough fabric. Brands that serve tall customers usually extend the range to 36, 38, or even 40 inches, sold either as a separate tall size or as a length option listed alongside the regular waist sizes on the same product page.

When buying, check the actual inseam number rather than trusting a label that just says tall, since the extra length varies by brand and by cut. Unwashed or raw denim can shrink slightly after the first few washes, so leaving a little extra length is safer than cutting it close. The most common mistake is shopping by inseam alone without also checking rise, since a short rise can make even a long inseam sit oddly on a long torso.