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Try the jeans on no matter what - ordering baggy jeans online almost always goes wrong because the length and how they sit at the hips just vary so much. I once got three different models in the same size and with two of them the waistband kept sliding down on me, and with the third one the inseam was way too long. When you're trying them on, make sure you end right at your shoe - not just above it, but really so the jeans sit on your foot slightly - and that the waistband fits without you having to make an extra hole.
The best method is to try on several sizes and models, because every brand fits differently - with some you need to go up a size, with others your regular size works better. Make sure the waistband doesn't slip, but the legs still fall loose and don't end too low. If you're ordering online, check the reviews to see if others say the jeans run true to size or tend to run big/small. Get advice from a sales associate in the store or order several versions to compare - that'll save you the hassle of returns 😊
Forget the manufacturers' size charts and look at actual customer photos instead - they'll show you way better how the stuff actually fits. One trick I find really helpful: buy a pair in your normal size and one a size up, wear both around the house for a couple days and see which one feels more natural - after the third wash jeans fit differently anyway than they do on day one. And if you're ordering online, use shops with free returns, otherwise it gets frustrating.
What helped me was grabbing a pair of jeans that already fit me well and just laying them next to the new baggy ones - that way I can see right away if the width around the thighs and ankles is similar. Some brands are really drastically different, and online photos can be deceiving because the models are all different heights. If you don't want to go to a store, I'd rather order from sites that offer free returns, then you can try two or three sizes and just keep whatever fits.
The most important thing is getting the length right - and I agree with the others that trying them on in a store is the best solution. But not every brand has stores everywhere, and honestly you also need a feel for how baggy looks on you personally! The thing is: baggy doesn't just sit loose, it's supposed to sit kind of chaotically on purpose! Some people like them sitting halfway on their hips, others want them to end just below the belly button. The right length is mega important too - ideally the hem sits right on top of your shoes, maybe with like a centimeter of extra fabric.
What the others didn't really make clear: with the width you need to distinguish between the thigh and the ankle. Baggy can sit super full at the top and taper at the bottom, or be loose everywhere. It totally depends on the cut! Find a model where the waistband is big enough that the pants don't slip down (otherwise you'll have to tie the drawstrings tight), but not so huge that you're walking around in a sack. That trick about laying a well-fitting pair next to the new one - honestly genius idea by the way! - works great when you notice you're built narrower or wider.
One more tip from my experience: different fabrics drape differently! Denim is stiffer and sits different than a cotton blend or linen blends. If you're ordering online, I'd really say order multiple sizes and send back what doesn't fit. A bit annoying, but with baggy it's just necessary because these guys really have their own rules!
When you order online, always get several sizes at once and write down which brands tend to run large or small for you - after a few orders you'll know your pattern and save yourself a lot of back-and-forth shipping. It's also important that you try the jeans on standing up, not just sitting down, because baggy fits look totally different that way.
Don't just grab your normal size - that's the most common mistake. Baggy jeans work completely differently than regular cuts, and no size chart will help you there. Yeah, the customer photos thing is true - they're way more informative than any product description.
Do it practically: Take a pair of jeans that fit you now and compare them directly. Lay them flat and measure where the width sits on the thigh, ankle, and waist. Then do the same thing with the baggy pair you're trying on - that way you'll see right away if it fits. It's also important to test with the right shoes. Chunky sneakers or boots change the whole look completely compared to flat shoes - and the length has to be adjusted for that.
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