[RomeoTango]

When it comes to main stream sizing in clothes, I seem to be more of a "tweener" than anything else. I fit between a medium or large shirt most of the time (I really need to try stuff on to be sure), really depending on how the manufacturer sizes their clothes.

Today's question centers around the fitting of jeans. I seem to fall between a 32 and 33 waist in most, with an occassional 34 or even 31 thrown in. I am a standard style kind of guy as I do not like too loose or tight (at all). I was out jean shopping todays and ended up with a pair of 33 waist that is too big, but great through the legs and seat. The 32 waist fit well enough, but the legs were too tight. Tried the relaxed and loose fit, which did not work out. As my wife says "You don't have enough rear to hold your pants up!" Funny, but it does make getting the right fit somewhat of a challenge at times.

So, should I settle for these loose-waisted jeans and just wear a belt? Sometimes that creates a "pouch" in the front zipper area, which is almost as bad as too tight where the pockets look like ears (on khakis or dress pants anyway). Can the waist of the jeans be snugged up by a tailor and it look right? I've tried on a bunch of jeans lately only to find this problem quite often. As a caveat, I don't care much for designs on my pockets.

 

[JerseyJohn]

Check with a tailor and ask. While we usually don't think of altering jeans the way we do with suits, there's no reason why a good tailor can't make jeans fit you as well as any other trousers.

 

[Blueboy1938]

Out west in these parts . . .

. . . we have "Doctor Blue Jeans" to fix up ours. Jeans have double-welted seams and that really thick denim, so not all tailors are either equipped or inclined to deal with them. My advice to you is to find a specialist. Any tailor could probably tighten up the waist but might not get it right. The last thing you want is a botched-up rear seam just when you were hoping to have your well-fitted, denim-clad derriére ogled:devil:

 

[Cruiser]

Jeans probably vary more in fit than any other item of clothing. For example, two pairs of Levis 505s in size 33-30 can be quite a bit different in terms of fit. I don't know why this is, but this has been my experience. For this reason I always try on jeans before I buy them and I have jeans in different waist sizes. I don't worry about length as that is easily altered.

I had on a pair of Lee Regular Fit jeans today with a waist size one inch larger than the Lee Regular Fit jeans I had on yesterday, yet the larger size is actually a little tighter than the smaller ones. I usually end up trying on several pairs of jeans before I buy a pair of new ones.

Cruiser

 

[upnorth]

In my case, opting for a lower rise would eliminate the zipper "pouch" somewhat. I think the slim straight or straight fit is best for the average person. If anything, you would want a tighter waist as it stretches abit when worn for a while. Anytime someone tries to take the waist in, the finished jeans tend to look awkward.

If a pair fits well in the waist but not the legs, but a larger size does the reverse, it is best to choose another cut or even a different brand. While slimming the legs is a lot easier to do than slimming the seat and waist, I will maintain that the only thing that a tailor should do is alter the inseams, anything else is dangerous territory.

Which brands and model have you already tried?

 

[cdavant]

I think Lands End Custom still does MTM jeans for a reasonable price--and if the fit isn't right you just return them for a do over.

 

[paul winston]

When I was in college jeans cost me $14. I suffer from sticker shock when individuals bring us jeans to alter -( yes, jeans can be altered ;it is no different than altering flannel, etc.) and tell me they have paid $200+ for them. Many of them have holes. A rule that holds true for the great majority of the time is buy the size that fits the largest part of your anatomy. It is generally easier to take things in than to let them out. ( Letting things out is limited by the amount of outlet in the seam that needs to
be let out.) In your case buying the size that fit your thighs was the correct purchase.
Paul Winston
Winston Tailors
www.chipp2.com
www.chipp2.com/blog/

 

[Packard]

My tailor just puts a couple of "darts" above the rear pockets. This is a 5 minute job and gets hidden under the belt. If you gain weight, just open the dart again and you are back in business.

Two 1/4" darts will take a full inch out of the waist.

 

[petro]

So, should I settle for these loose-waisted jeans and just wear a belt? Sometimes that creates a "pouch" in the front zipper area, which is almost as bad as too tight where the pockets look like ears (on khakis or dress pants anyway). Can the waist of the jeans be snugged up by a tailor and it look right? I've tried on a bunch of jeans lately only to find this problem quite often. As a caveat, I don't care much for designs on my pockets.

Buy shrink-to-fit jeans, put them on, soak them thoroughly (shower, bathtub, hose) and wear them dry.

 

[Jimmy2Dimes]

You are probably just limiting yourself to a few brands or just the conventional denim brands. Go to a big store like Barney's co-op or Bloomingdale's in Midtown Manhattan, and I guarantee to will find a brand that fits you right.

For God's sake, don't "tailor" your jeans. That will look really dorky.

*waits for "tailored jean dorks" to rebel*

:icon_smile_big:

 

[Packard]

Try on several pair of the size the fits the closest. There is enough of a variation that you will probably find a pair that fits.

 

[Scott Hill]

Try Agave denim. Good fit with a medium rise and nice trim straight leg that will fit your hip and seat in a 33 most likely. Be patient, you will find a nice fit/quality. Also, Heitl jeans from Germany have a very nice fit. You can secure a pair from Mark Michaels in Marina Del Rey. He has a nice selection in dark denim, medium wash denim and also a nice cotton twill for Fall in a non denim 5 pocket jean in the same fit. The rise of this jean is not too low and not too high. Just a good gentleman's fit.

Tell Mark I gave you the info and he'll send you a pair. If you don't like the fit, he will take them back and refund your money. Tell him I sent you and he'll accomodate you with a refund if they do not work out. His phone number is: 310-822-1707. From what you describe, this is going to be a perfect fit in 32. The waist of these jeans runns 1/2 " larger and the 32 will fit perfect in the seat and thigh.

Scott Hill

 

[Packard]

You are probably just limiting yourself to a few brands or just the conventional denim brands. Go to a big store like Barney's co-op or Bloomingdale's in Midtown Manhattan, and I guarantee to will find a brand that fits you right.

For God's sake, don't "tailor" your jeans. That will look really dorky.

*waits for "tailored jean dorks" to rebel*

:icon_smile_big:

Ill fitting clothes are dorky. No way around that.

How nice is it to see a person (man or woman) with the bottoms of the jeans in tatters because they were too long? Or a plumber's butt because the waist does not fit right?