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by Born1973 on February 8th, 2008

Born1973

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If a woman's inseam length is exactly half her (barefoot) height, does that mean she has long legs, average-length legs, or short legs? Also, some people say mine are long, others say mine are average, and others say mine are short (5' 4" with 31" inseam)

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Answers. 12 helpful answers below.

  • by Go know thyself is THE RED QUEEN on December 31st, 2008

    Go know thyself is THE RED QUEEN

    Oh Gawd... The last thing I want to do when i get dressed is math!

    Thats why I wear capris!

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  • by kirababe on June 4th, 2008

    kirababe

    I'm 5'6''. my inseam is 36''. Quite obvious I have very long legs...i love them too!lol Anyways, it sounds to me like your legs are average to long. Certainly not short! :)

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  • by Gala on May 30th, 2008

    Gala

    Your legs are long. My height is 5'8.5'' And my inseam is 32''... So I think my legs are short... :-( Though people usually tell me my legs are just normal.

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  • by BlissJane on November 30th, 2010

    BlissJane

    Nikka Yuko,
    Your legs are actually 5% longer than what's average for your height! The average length for your height of 5'1" is 27.63." An extra 5% of that length takes you to your length. You don't add 5 to the percentage number, you add 5% to the length of the legs, which makes quite a difference. An easy way to calculate what is 5% longer than average is to multiply one's height by .477. This is based on the Wroclaw University study stating that the perfect leg proportion for a women of 64" (5'4") is 30.5," which is 47.7% of her height. So, according to this, you have the perfect length legs!! :)

    This is the formula for figuring out how much longer/shorter your legs are percentage wise:
    1) Take your height in inches.
    2) Multiply your height by .453, and call this number X (the average leg length for your height). (45.3% was calculated by factoring that the average woman of 64" has 29" legs according to a study done by Wroclaw University).
    3) Measure your inseam.
    4) Divide your inseam by X, and this will give the percentage of how much longer/shorter your legs are. Example, if your legs are 30" and X is 29", you would get 1.034, which means your legs are 3.4% longer than average.

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  • by Nikka Yuko on December 31st, 2008

    Nikka Yuko

    Well, the average leg length is 45% of the height so at 5'4", the average woman would have 28.8 inch legs. At 31", your legs are at 48.4%, or 2.2 inches longer. The most attractive legs to men, according to most studies are 3-5% longer than average, which you are. Longer legs are usually not as attractive to men (but of course what men want and what the fashion world wants aren't always the same)

    I'm 5'1" with a 29 inch inseam. But sometimes, I can wear a 29.5-30 depending on the fit of the jeans. But my actual physical inseam is 29 measured and that would put me at 47.5%, which is 2.5% longer than average. So not leggy but a bit longer. I do want slightly longer legs though. If I had your proportion, I'd be really really happy.

    I think the people who think your legs are short probably think in terms of what is a regular inseam nowadays, which in some stores is 32. However, the classic inseam is between 29 and 30. I think the extra 2 or 3 inches were added more for style and for the fact that tall and thin with long legs is "In" right now. I have some old pants from the 70's-80's that belonged to my friend's mom, who was a runway model. (Back then you could be any height as long as you carried yourself well) She's 5'4", I'm 5'1" and they fit me absolutely perfectly. (But would need to be longer for heels.)

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  • by Amanda on October 2nd, 2008

    Amanda

    I would say that your legs are a bit above average for your height. I am also 5'4", and my inseam is about 31", which is a "regular" length inseam, 5'4" is actually still considered "petite". So, your legs are DEFINITELY not short for your height! They aren't UBER long, but if they were any longer you would look weird. Anyway, whether they LOOK long, short, average, or whatever, some of it also depends on how much weight you carry in your legs. My thighs tend to be my problem area, so when I am lax in exercise they tend to look stumpier. But, when I run a lot, they look longer. If it makes you feel better, I have noticed that clothes tend to fall about the same place on my legs as they do on models in mags. They are obviously taller than me, but they are more long through the torso, giving them a bit more man-ly shape. And all of the 34" inseam pants they wear, they are usually wearing a big heel! So, I hope this helps!!!

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  • by Ladychan on June 4th, 2008

    Ladychan

    I'd say half the length of your body is an average length for legs. Mine is exactly half my height & I think my legs are average length, neither short nor long.

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  • by Gideon on May 30th, 2008

    Gideon

    I've never heard the equation for an inseam, but I'm 5'9" and have a 31-32 inseam. My legs don't seem short or long. It would seem you have long legs.

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  • by Anonymous on March 16th, 2008

    Anonymous

    I am short with an inseam of 27 ins.I have to buy clothes for 10 yr oldsNif i bought adults clothes the trousers would need nearly a foot cut of it isnt worth it.

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  • by BlissJane on November 30th, 2010

    BlissJane

    Share your answer...

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  • by bmacgill on February 8th, 2011

    bmacgill

    Your legs are definitely long. I am 5'4" as well with a 31 1/2 inch inseam and my legs are ridiculously long for my body. You probably lave a short torso like myself as well. Being only 5'4" it makes your legs appear even longer than they are so I can't imagine why anyone would say they're short. It's a blessing and a curse isn't it? I love them but have such a hard time finding pants that fit properly.

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  • by MissyKitty on November 4th, 2010

    MissyKitty

    i am 5'9.5" & my inseam is 34" so i am in the ideal attractiveness range! yeaaaa!! well, ladies, this is why we wear heels!! makes your legs look longer & b/c you appear taller, also make you appear slimmer!! love it! just make sure you can walk properly in them.. otherwise you negate any positive effect..

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