True Waist Measurement

[teddieriley]

I was having a discussion with a co-worker about why he wears his pants kind of low (can't recall how this came up). He's somewhat overweight. He has a small gut that is noticeable over his belt.

I'm curious, what would be the true waist size for someone built like this? He buys 36 inch waist pants, which currently appears to sit at hips, below his belly. If he were to wear his pants at his waist, which I understand includes part of your belly, to the extent you have one, this guy's waist measurement could easily climb to a 40 or 42, although he doesn't really look fat.

For the guys with a gut, how do you account that into your waist size and comfort, especially when you have to sit for extended lengths of time?

 

[oldog/oldtrix]

My trouser waist size is 16 ½ inches, if I wear my pants around my neck. However, if I wear them at that point between the top of my hip bones and the bottom of my rib cage that allows for proper drape, my trouser waist size is 36 inches. That's the 35 inches that my actual waist measures, plus room to comfortably tuck in a shirt (and undershirt in cooler weather) and allow the trousers to hang unimpeded, with pleats fully closed, from my suspenders.

 

[Tarmac]

It's difficult to accurately measure your waist unless you do it every day, i.e. you are a tailor. You could inhale or exhale, measure too high or too low, and you will be off by an inch easily.

It's much more accurate to measure a pair of pants which fit you well. Lay the pants down and measure the waist.

 

[alliswell]

Originally Posted by Tarmac

It's difficult to accurately measure your waist unless you do it every day, i.e. you are a tailor. You could inhale or exhale, measure too high or too low, and you will be off by an inch easily.

It's much more accurate to measure a pair of pants which fit you well. Lay the pants down and measure the waist.

Pick a pair of pants with a comparable rise, too. The waistband measurement of a pair of lowrise jeans may be different to that of English braced trousers, even though the same person each fits well.

 

[Bird's One View]

About two inches greater than one thinks it is.

 

[SoCal2NYC]

So do you prefer a guy with his pants below his belly or those pulled up that are lassoed around his navel?
I'm for the first one becuase I dislike seeing foopah.

 

[THEBIGDODDY]

The circumference of your torso starting at your bellybutton. That's your waist.