Trouser size (pant size) or dress size is only a rough starting point for a brief size, because briefs are sized by hip and waist ranges that do not map neatly onto clothing labels. If you cannot measure the person, your best sources are the size printed on the pack they use now and a few careful questions. Order a single pack first, and check the fit before you buy more.
Why trouser size is only a starting point
Clothing labels vary from one maker to the next, and a pair of trousers can sit loosely, stretch or be held up with a belt. A brief has to sit snugly around the waist and hips, and the maker's size chart gives a measurement range for each size. A trouser label on its own does not show where in that range a person falls.
Weight changes make it harder. Clothes bought a few years ago may no longer reflect the current shape, and loose clothing can hide a lot. Treat the trouser size as a clue and confirm it with the sources below.
What to ask over the phone
Keep the conversation about the product, not about the person's body. These questions give you useful answers without being intrusive:
- What size is printed on the pants or skirts you wear most often?
- Do they feel snug, comfortable or loose, and which notch do you use on a belt?
- What are you wearing now, and is it pull-on or tab-style?
- Does it gap at the legs, dig in at the waist or slide down when you sit?
- Do your clothes fit the same way they did a year ago?
If the person is uncomfortable talking about it, offer to read the pack together, or ask whoever helps with changes. A pharmacist or nurse who already knows the person may also be able to point you towards the right size range.
Read the label on the product they use now
If the person already uses a product, the pack is your best source. Ask for a photo of the back and sides, where size charts are often printed. Note four things: the size name, the hip or waist range printed beside it, the absorbency name and whether the product is pull-on or tab-style.
Then compare the range on that pack with the chart for the product you want, rather than comparing size letters. Titles in the store show how the names differ: Attends Briefs, Medium and Attends Briefs, X-Large are separate listings of one line, while other lines use names such as Small/Medium, Large/X-Large or Regular.
Turning a rough number into a size range
Put what you know side by side. Each clue narrows the range a little.
| What you know | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Size name and range on the current pack | The strongest clue. Find the same measurement range on the new chart. |
| Trouser waist size only | A rough waist figure. The hips are still unknown, so check which chart ranges could include it. |
| Dress size or a letter size only | The weakest clue, because it is not a measurement. Ask how those clothes fit before you lean on it. |
| How the current product fits | Gaps at the legs or sliding down may point to a smaller range. Tightness may point to a larger one. |
| Clothes that fit differently from a year ago | Older clothing sizes may no longer apply, so rely on them less. |
If your numbers land between two sizes, let the current problem decide which to try. Pick one size, not both, and keep everything else about the product the same.
Order one pack and check the fit
For the first order, choose one pack in the size you picked, ideally from the same line and absorbency as the current product, so that size is the only thing you are testing. You can compare lines in the incontinence products collection. When the pack arrives, check these points:
- The waist is snug but does not dig in.
- The leg openings sit close to the leg without gaps or tight lines.
- Tabs or stretch panels fasten comfortably, without being pulled to their limit.
- The product stays in place when sitting, standing and walking.
If anything leaves a lasting red mark, or the skin looks sore, ask a doctor, nurse or pharmacist, and stop using a product that is hurting.
Shop this guide
- Poise Overnight Incontinence Pads for Women, Extra-Coverage, 36 Count (ships via Amazon)
- Poise Ultra Thin Incontinence Pads, Postpartum, 3 Drop, Light Absorbency, Regular Length, 144 Count (3 Packs of 48) (ships via Amazon)
- Prevail Maximum Absorbency Underwear for Men, Small/Medium, 20 Count (ships via Amazon)
- Poise Incontinence Pads for Women, 7 Drop, Ultra Absorbency, Long Length, 78 Count (ships via Amazon)
- See all: Adult Incontinence
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
When someone can measure: the two numbers to get
If a family member, a visiting home-care worker or anyone else can use a soft tape measure, you need two numbers: waist and hips.
- Waist: around the middle of the body at the waistline, over thin clothing, with the tape level and snug but not tight.
- Hips: around the widest part of the hips and seat, with the tape level all the way around.
Write both down in centimetres and inches, because charts differ, then find the size whose ranges include them. Some charts ask you to go by the larger of the two numbers, so read the note beside the chart. If the person cannot stand, ask a nurse or occupational therapist how best to take the measurements. Our diaper sizing guide and the baby and adult size chart show how measurements line up with sizes.
Common questions
Should I go up a size to be safe?
There is no safe direction. A size that is too large can leave gaps at the legs, and one that is too small can dig in. Use the chart, order one pack, and adjust from there.
Do pull-on and tab-style briefs use the same size chart?
Not necessarily. Each product has its own chart, so check the one for the exact product you plan to order.
What if the first pack does not fit?
Note where it gaps or pinches and contact us with the product name. We can help you work out the next size to try.
If you are buying from a distance and want a second opinion, send the details through our contact page and we will help you choose a size to start with. We reply within one business day.