Discrepancy between measured waist size and waist size on pants

[keangkong]

My 34" waist pants are beginning to be a little loose. I bought some 32" waist pants and they fit. Yet when I measured my waist at the thinnest place between the hips and the ribs, I measured 36 1/2." Why is there a discrepancy?

 

[GLP1Pharmacist]

Buy 10 brands of pants the same size, all will fit different. Companys like to make you feel less fat too, look at a 1940-1950s size large compared to today.

 

[ZippityDooDah]

My 34" waist pants are beginning to be a little loose. I bought some 32" waist pants and they fit. Yet when I measured my waist at the thinnest place between the hips and the ribs, I measured 36 1/2." Why is there a discrepancy?

Good question.

Personally I think the clothing cartel is screwing with all the numbers since different manufacturers fit so differently. I've been wearing 32" since earlier this spring, and I bet if I were to actually measure my waist it would not be 32" but more like you in that 36"+ area. Plus I have some jeans that are 34" but have a much tighter fit than most of the 32" waist stuff I wear.