At what waist, trousers?

[UserNameToronto]

If I listened to my trousers, they're tell me that I'm shrinking.

In the last few months, I've had all of my trousers either recut (seat, crotch) or taken in. In spite of not changing size/weight myself, I've moved from buying 33 inch waists to 32 and finally, most recently 31 inch. When I've taken my pants to the tailor, he measures me (~32 inches) and then measures my supposedly 32/31 pants to find they're 1.5-3 inches larger than advertised in all cases (33-34 inches). They're then recut as needed.

What's going on? When manufacturers size trousers, does a "32" inch waist always map to a waist size that measures 32 inches?

All pants are BR or Club Monaco dress pants in modern cuts. I should add I'm 5 foot 11, ~160lbs, 38 chest.

 

[EL72]

It's called vanity sizing. BR is notorious for this. So guys like me who now need 33 waist can still feel good about buying size 32

. While quite common for goods made for the North American market, most Italian dress pants are true to size.

 

[TRINI]

Originally Posted by EL72

So guys like me who now need 33 waist can still feel good about buying size 32

STOP SPOILING THE ILLUSION!!

I'M STILL A 32, I SWEAR.

 

[UserNameToronto]

Originally Posted by EL72

It's called vanity sizing. BR is notorious for this. So guys like me who now need 33 waist can still feel good about buying size 32

. While quite common for goods made for the North American market, most Italian dress pants are true to size.

Logical next question: how do you guys order stuff online then? By using your mfr-indicated pants size (which for me would be 30-31) or by actual measured size (32 for me?)

 

[TRINI]

Originally Posted by UserNameToronto

Logical next question: how do you guys order stuff online then? By using your mfr-indicated pants size (which for me would be 30-31) or by actual measured size (32 for me?)

I know the measurements of the pants that fit me well so I look out for those measurements on the pants that I buy.

 

[Grayland]

I haven't had too much trouble with dress/casual waist sizing, but take a look at the denim thread; talk about confusing! This pair you need to buy 2 sizes too small because they'll stretch, unless you like them relaxed, etc, etc, etc...

 

[coconut]

Often with catalog or ebay orders, you can request exact, detailed measurements. I was thinking recently that buying online has this as an advantage over trying on in the store, because in the store you might (edit: might NOT) remember to notice that the arm holes are too big, or the knee is too wide, etc.

Of course you can also bring measuring tape with you to the store.

 

[vitaminc]

Originally Posted by EL72

It's called vanity sizing. BR is notorious for this. So guys like me who now need 33 waist can still feel good about buying size 32

. While quite common for goods made for the North American market, most Italian dress pants are true to size.

QFT!

I wore the same size 36/38 pants since college despite my weight went from 210 to 245.