In the world of men's pant sizing, you may be frustrated that not all size 32 pants measure 32”.
In fact, almost no modern pant does.
But, why? There's a reason...
The Historical Reason Pants Don’t Measure True To Size
It’s all about where men's pants used to fit.
As you can see from this fella from the 1930s, guys used to wear their pants buttoned to high-heaven. And look at the pattern from which his pants were made.
While the top of his pants measured 32", they curved at his hip. Even as far out to 34". This is because our hips are wider than our natural waist. Yet the pant above was still sold as a 32. Given it was expressed in inches, it would be natural to think "my size 32 pants actually measure 32". And back then, at the top of the waistband they probably did.
Fast forward to the 1960s, and style had changed. Pants began to be worn at the hip. Manufacturers chopped off the top part, so the waistband was now 34". When a guy walked into a store he would have thought "those pants are cool, so I'm going to buy them in my size", which was 32. But the waistband was measuring 34".
Manufacturers weren't going to educate the customer that due to a change in the pattern of their pants, their size was now 34. So they kept on selling a size 32 pant to the same guy, actual measurements be damned.
Why All Pant Brands Aren't Sized The Same
Now that we know a size 32" pant will never measure 32" (unless you go back to the 1930s) the question is how much more than 32" should they measure?
Bluffworks pants measure about 2" larger than their size. (So a size 32 will measure about 34"). But, many brands go further.
This is called vanity sizing. To make customers feel good - and to increase the chances that a customer will fit in a pair of pants the first time they try them on - brands have increased the size of their pants as America has grown. Not population growth, but the other kind that comes from too much delicious food.
Bluffworks does not practice vanity sizing. Our waist measures larger than 32”, but not excessively so.
How To Find You Size in a Bluffworks Pant
Regardless of the pant silhouette you choose – our Regular Fit, Tailored Fit or Slim – the approach to finding your waist size is the same.
Here's how to get your pants measurement:
Wrap the measuring tape around your waistline (where you want your pants to sit), keeping the tape slightly loose and record your size.
Consult the below chart that shows if your waist measures 34", you can buy a size 32.
You can see from our men's sizing guide that Bluffworks pants come in 1” increments so you have more flexibility in finding your fit. Not to mention, we make pants with the benefit of a flexible waistband.
Bluffworks makes pants for an active consumer, who travels, exercises and enjoys the outdoors.
Our Customer Service is standing by, and would be happy to chat about your pant sizing anytime. You are welcome to email us at [email protected] or call 1-844-425-8337.
