How much fabric for palazzo trousers?

The quick formula

Take your trouser length from the waist to where the hem should end, in the shoes you will wear. Add about 5 inches (12 cm) for the waistband casing and the hem. Double it.

For a trouser length of 40 inches (102 cm), that is 45 inches twice: 90 inches, or about 2.3 metres. At 36 inches (91 cm), for a petite frame, it is 82 inches, about 2.1 metres. At 43 inches (109 cm), for a tall frame, it is 96 inches, about 2.45 metres. Palazzos are usually worn a little longer than other trousers, towards the top of the foot, so measure for that; our trouser measuring page shows where the tape goes.

How leg width changes the amount

The formula holds while each leg fits within one width of fabric. The hem opening, measured all the way round one leg, tells you when it stops working. Size plays a part at the top of the leg too: each leg has to reach half-way round the hips with ease and room for the crotch curve. In most sizes that still fits inside one width, but it leaves less to spare, so a fuller size wanting a noticeably wide hem moves to the next band sooner. On 44 to 45 inch fabric:

• Up to about 40 inches (102 cm) round each hem: two lengths, 2.25 to 2.5 m. This is the everyday palazzo.
• About 45 to 60 inches (114 to 152 cm) round each hem: extra panels are needed to widen each leg, so allow 3 to 3.25 m.
• Wider than that, or flared from the hip: 3.5 m or more. At this fullness the trouser is cut much more like a sharara.

Fabric width, lining and prints

Width works differently for trousers than for a kameez, because wide cloth does not let two legs share a length.

• 58 to 60 inch (147 to 152 cm) fabric: each leg still needs its own length, so the metres barely fall. What you gain is width: hems up to about 56 inches (142 cm) round from the same two lengths.
• 36 inch (91 cm) fabric: too narrow for most palazzo legs in one piece. Expect a front and a back panel for each leg, which is four lengths, about 4.5 m.
• Lining: a full lining cut to the same shape doubles the fabric. A slimmer, straight lining, common under sheer chiffon or georgette, takes about 2 m.
• Borders: a border woven or printed along one edge is awkward. To bring it to the hem the legs have to be cut across the fabric, which limits their length to the fabric width. Send a photo before assuming it will work.
• Pockets and a separate waistband: add about 0.25 m.

From a suit piece or by the metre

The trouser piece in most unstitched suits is around 2.5 metres, which suits a moderate palazzo on an average height. For a very full leg, a tall wearer or a lined pair, the piece alone may not stretch. Send the length and width of your fabric with a photo, and with a Stitching Only quote we confirm whether there is enough before you post it to us in Pakistan. The unstitched suit stitching page explains how that works.

Soft fabrics that drape make the nicest palazzos. Our palazzo page covers fabric and kurta pairings, and sharara, gharara or palazzo helps if you are still deciding how much volume you want. For sheer fabric, see choosing lining for an unstitched suit.