Pants Waist Size Vs. Measuring Tape - Yes! Vanity Sizing!

bwnorton

I use the waist to height ratio (WHtR) as one of my metrics I track during my lifestyle modification. Studies from 2008 onwards indicate that higher values of WHtR indicate higher risk of obesity-related cardiovascular diseases.

When I started my journey, my pants indicated my waist was 38". Unfortunately, the measuring tape disagreed. It showed I was actually over 42". I was surprised that men's waist sizes went through vanity sizing too. If men are using their pant size as an indicator of risk, then they are getting a false sense of security.

How many of you are seeing this with your clothing sizes too?

sleepingtodream

Didn't realize the "vanity sizing" was an issue for men too! It's annoying and frustrating and not helping anyone:P Trimming down my waist is really important to me because I've also read studies on how increased waist sizes can be correlated with heart disease, etc. Since I tend to carry weight in my tummy I'm trying to do what I can to lose body fat.

Measuring yesterday, my waist was 29". and the jeans I bought a couple weeks ago were listed as 28"...and I need to wear a belt to keep them up.:P I also own a pair of 27"'s...all I can say is I WISH!

llkilgore

For women, at least, I think underwear size might be a better metric. I weigh roughly what I did 40 years ago and my jeans size has dropped from US 10 down to 2 or 4, depending on brand and cut. I wore mostly medium and occasionally large tops then and now some of the smalls are too large for me. But my underwear sizes - top and bottom - are exactly the same.

TX_Aggie_Dad

I think for Men it also has to do with where you wear your pants (down on your hips vs. at the widest part of your belly). Lots of "done lap" going on as in "my belly done lapped over my waist band". Muffin tops aren't just for women.

clareyoung80

I know I'm a uk size 10, but about 2" bigger than all the clothing charts that say what a uk size 10 is. But also could be the fit? But then I wear high waisted skinny jeans so....? I'd probably hang over the low waisted versions though

kristen6022

Does it really matter? Go get your butt in a fitting room and try the stuff on. Buy what fits. End of story.

llkilgore

Does it really matter? Go get your butt in a fitting room and try the stuff on. Buy what fits. End of story.

I've read that one of the reasons sizing is all over the place is to make sure you do get your butt in a fitting room. The brick and mortar stores want to discourage online buying.

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

I tend to wear my pants really low like right around my hips which are 32" and I typically wear a 0. There are a few places (places like Target) where their 0 is more like a 2-4. It's annoying but whatchagonnado?

bethlaf

I think for Men it also has to do with where you wear your pants (down on your hips vs. at the widest part of your belly). Lots of "done lap" going on as in "my belly done lapped over my waist band". Muffin tops aren't just for women.

sad but oh so true... and honestly , not a good look.. i do not want to see the underside of your belly when you raise your arms anymore than you want to see mine!

nvpixie

Sizing always confuses me. I'm definitely one of those people who have to try stuff on.

3laine75

yes, this definitely allows you to kid yourself. a few years ago, while wearing UK size 12, i was devastated to be told my waist was 39" at a gym induction. (UK 12 is supposed to fit waist 30"!!)

in saying that, i still love that i can buy a 10 in marks & spencer - i wouldn't get away with that *kitten* in any other shop.

ETA:(current waist - 32" - that should be a 14)

jeffd247

Pants are stupid.

BarbellApprentice

Yep. I have had a difficult time finding jeans that fit. My waist is a bit under 31 inches but most 32 jeans/pants fall off me. Much more than an extra inch, so definitely vanity sizing happening in men's clothing. 31 is a harder size to find and 30's won't work. Getting fit problem in a fat world

qtgonewild

i wear mens clothes and yes i noticed it as well.

Kabiti

My Levi's fit to size, though! 38" waist is, at MOST, a 40" waist. (510s) and fit my actual 38" waist well. I haven't tried a Levi's size 16 yet (listed as up to a 36" waist - though my hips are too small).

Women's sizes are still worse. I can't order anything online without it being a crap shoot! The only way is if it's a maufacturer I trust. I love Toms.com shoes!

Iwishyouwell

Just had an interesting experience tonight that highlights this phenomenon perfectly.

Thankfully I've kept a few pair of jeans from the late 90s/early 00s when I was in my teens and early 20s. Haven't been able to fit these clothes in well over a decade.They're not even my preferred style anymore, but I kept them around just for sizing purposes.

I'm finally able to get into them again, but they're still a little tight. I decided to try on two pairs tonight and the measure the waists.

Calvin Klein (Straight Leg)
Purchased in the late 90s or 2000
Tag Size - 36
Measured Waist Size - 35


Old Navy (Standard Fit)
Purchased in 2003
Tag Waist Size - 36
Measured Waist Size - 37

But here's the thing. I have some Old Navy low rise jeans that I purchased 5 years ago. They are size 40 on the tag. Now I'm considerably smaller than I was then, but at size 40 they should still technically be able to fit me since my old school 36s are snug. Except these size 40s are so large that they literally can not stay up on me for even a single second. I can almost fit both of my legs in one leg of those jeans now.

I measured the waist.

They are between 47-48 inches. Yes, almost 50 inches, even though the jeans are a size 40.

All my size 38s, purchased in the mid 00s and later, are too baggy for me to wear. They're falling off the waist and my legs are swimming in them. Measuring a few, I discover NONE of my size 38s are under 40 in actual waist measurements. Not. A. Single. Pair.

Those old 36s, one of which is an inch under the purported size as you can see, would likely be sold today as 34s, or even 32s by retailers doing extreme vanity sizing. And if I wasn't very aware of my body, I could certainly fool myself into believing that I am 32/34. Except I know I absolutely am not yet.

Foolishness. Pure, unadulterated insanity.

Women are ahead of the game here to an extent, as many of you know the vanity sizing is out of control for your wear. But many, many men are deluded about our weight gain, don't step on the scale often, and count on the supposed accuracy of our pant sizes to tell the story of our body fat levels. So if a man's size 36s are expanding with him, it'll be very easy for him to believe he's gained little to no weight.