Question about waiste size, and pants

[FSUSem1noles]

When you buy pants do you buy them your exact waiste size? or do you go up 1? for ex, I'm a size 34 waiste but I buy 36, preferably 35 but those are very rare to come by....

 

[j]

I have to try them on, because the measurements are not reliable, and it depends on where I wear them what size I will need. For example in a high-rise suit trouser I sometimes get a 31, whereas in a low-slung pair of jeans or casual pants I sometimes need a 34. Since I learned how to alter the waist of pants (really easy actually) I have just been getting them a bit big and fitting them exactly.

 

[FSUSem1noles]

J, If you don't mind sharing? How do you alter the waiste? or are you a tailor? there are a few pairs of jeans I have that are big because I lost weight and I really don't want to get rid of them?