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View Full Version : Trouser and belt sizes. Mutter.

Feek
08-08-2009, 16:47
How does this work?

I order a pair of trousers that I know will fit in size 34. I also order a belt in 34-36 to go with the trousers. I know the troggs will fit so therefore the belt should do as well.

They all turn up, the trousers fit perfectly but the belt just meets end to end.

I measure my waist and it's 40". The total belt length is 40".

WTF?

Is there some secret difference between trouser and belt sizes? Are trousers made larger so that people will think their waists aren't as large as they actually are?

What's going on here. Now I have to return the belt and get a larger one.
Streeteh
08-08-2009, 16:50
Trouser sizes have never been accurate, i can understand that with womens sizing (10 etc) as it's not a unit of measurement whereas inches should always be inches surely?

An example would be, from somewhere like primark i have to buy 34-36 inch waist stuff, whereas in Next i can get away with 32 inch stuff. Makes no sense.
Mark
08-08-2009, 18:08
It all depends on the following:

Where you take the measurement. Many (including me) get the waistline wrong when measuring.
How much give the trousers have in them (usually much more give than a belt will have).
How accurate the size of the trousers is. The cut of the trousers will have an impact here and so will things like shrinkage in the wash.
Feek
08-08-2009, 18:55
Oh, I know my waistline is not measured correctly, Mark - I measure the trousers for where I'm going to wear them, ie under my belly. But the point here is that trousers with a size of 34 fit perfectly, but a belt that's supposed to do 34-36 and actually measures 40 just about manages to reach.

As far as I'm concerned 34" trousers should fit around part of my body that's 34", it doesn't matter where that is!
LeperousDust
08-08-2009, 18:58
I think the whole fashion industry is messed up really, no one can reliable measure anything that well when it comes to clothes, this is why i like trying stuff on in shops if i'm not too sure :)
Will
08-08-2009, 20:27
It's all a bit mad - sizes just don't seem uniform anymore
Tak
08-08-2009, 20:38
I have a habit of wearing mens trousers as its easier to find something that fits but even doing that I usually have to take several sizes to the changing room as no two shops are the same :/

Serious arse about the belt Feek - would maybe the last number of holes = the "size" of the belt? even if it doesn't make sense, at least you'd then know where they measure from for belts next time
Jonny69
10-08-2009, 16:35
I tried on some skinny fit jeans at the weekend and I couldn't even get my stick insect legs in them. No idea who they are intended for. Men's sizes vary so much my only choice is to try everything on in the shop and invariably it's only the most expensive garments that actually fit.
Goose
10-08-2009, 17:54
It's mad, isn't it. I tend to buy all my clothes from 1 shop these days, as they are consistently correct. I don't want to a) remember each size for each shop and b) have to try everything on when I know my size.

When I was a big lad (21 stone) I found it to be worse, but I think I was just cursed...
Jonny69
11-08-2009, 09:51
Just as bad when you're skinny. Everything is made for a fuller figured lad now, so most shirts have belly space which I simply can't fill. Buying a suit is an expensive nightmare :D
Greenlizard0
11-08-2009, 11:55
I tried on some skinny fit jeans at the weekend and I couldn't even get my stick insect legs in them. No idea who they are intended for. Men's sizes vary so much my only choice is to try everything on in the shop and invariably it's only the most expensive garments that actually fit.

Agreed, it's worse when some clothes only put the waist, some both, some just S, M, or L (what do YOU mean by that exactly? :/). It's kind of annoying as it means a chap's shopping time has increased.
Jonny69
11-08-2009, 12:39
And as a chap's shopping time is carefully planned and worked out it is an inconvenience when that is interfered with. I have been left most dischuffed on several occasions.
Will
11-08-2009, 12:54
Just as bad when you're skinny. Everything is made for a fuller figured lad now, so most shirts have belly space which I simply can't fill. Buying a suit is an expensive nightmare :D

Tell me about it :/