# Why aren't pants sized in odd inches? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 10, 2017, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-pants-sized-in-odd-inches/781845 "2017-03-10T07:14:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-pants-sized-in-odd-inches/781845/21 "2017-03-10T18:14:54Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > That’s why you either try them on in the store or visit a tailor for minor adjustment afterwards. That’s if you insist on a perfect fit. I always wear a belt, so it doesn’t bother me if my pants are a bit loosish without one. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-pants-sized-in-odd-inches/781845/22 "2017-03-10T18:28:23Z")
> [@2Bits](#): > > I’ve gotten my jeans from this outfit for years: > > [http://www.gusset.com/store/jeans-mens-regular-fit-stonewash/dp/2](http://www.gusset.com/store/jeans-mens-regular-fit-stonewash/dp/2) Yowch! The cheapest pair there is more than twice what I pay for jeans - [Wranglers from Tractor Supply Company](http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/wrangler-mens-cowboy-cut-original-fit-jean-rigid-indigo?cm_vc=IOPDP1) can regularly be had on sale for about $20/pair. And they do carry odd sizes, at least up to 38 inch waists. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-pants-sized-in-odd-inches/781845/23 "2017-03-10T18:36:06Z")
I always thought Levis were in both sizes until about S34, and then only even sizes above that. No? ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-pants-sized-in-odd-inches/781845/24 "2017-03-10T18:59:26Z")
That would be very odd, indeed. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-pants-sized-in-odd-inches/781845/25 "2017-03-10T19:27:02Z")
I’m a 37 waist too. Length is odd also. Choice is either too short or too long. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-pants-sized-in-odd-inches/781845/26 "2017-03-10T19:37:38Z")
The easiest solution for the OP might just be to eat his waist size up one inch. I guess that doesn’t help the person with the length problem. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-pants-sized-in-odd-inches/781845/27 "2017-03-10T19:39:11Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > In other words, they _sell_ them in odd number sizes, they just don’t usually _label_ them that way. That’s why you either try them on in the store or visit a tailor for minor adjustment afterwards. Yeah, this is my experience too. The tolerances on most jeans are really about +/- an inch. So if you want 33-inch jeans, look for a big 32 or a small 34 and you’ll be pretty close. ---
**Author:** ![2Bits](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/e95f7d/32.png) [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-pants-sized-in-odd-inches/781845/28 "2017-03-10T19:48:52Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > Yowch! The cheapest pair there is more than twice what I pay for jeans - [Wranglers from Tractor Supply Company](http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/wrangler-mens-cowboy-cut-original-fit-jean-rigid-indigo?cm_vc=IOPDP1) can regularly be had on sale for about $20/pair. And they do carry odd sizes, at least up to 38 inch waists. Oh, well… I just _assumed_ you’d want American made! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![2Bits](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/e95f7d/32.png) [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-pants-sized-in-odd-inches/781845/29 "2017-03-10T19:51:48Z")
And while I’m on the subject… Apparently Wrangler does market “special edition” American made jeans (for about $60… PER LEG!!) [https://www.wrangler.com/shop/wrangler-1947-limited-edition-straight-leg-jean?cm\_sp=coll+47ltd-\_-dynban-\_-cta](https://www.wrangler.com/shop/wrangler-1947-limited-edition-straight-leg-jean?cm_sp=coll+47ltd-_-dynban-_-cta) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-pants-sized-in-odd-inches/781845/30 "2017-03-10T20:23:49Z")
Businesses like Sears and Pennys will let you order custom-sized clothing. Just ask. They usually only carry large quantities of even-sized trousers because that’s where the demand is, and shelf space is limited. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-pants-sized-in-odd-inches/781845/31 "2017-03-10T20:45:37Z")
Length too. I don’t mind the fact my waist is about a 35. I can wear 36 and a belt for off the rack stuff. But dammit, an inseam of 32 is usually just a touch too short, and 34 is sometimes just a touch too long. 33 would be ideal. [QUOTE=John Mace] I always thought Levis were in both sizes until about S34, and then only even sizes above that. No? [/QUOTE] I am pretty sure you’re right. In looking for jeans - I prefer Levis - I’m tossing the 34s and 38s out of my way to get a 36. But while I am 100% sure I’ve seen 31s and 33s, I can’t ever remember seeing, say, a 39. I would assume that past a certain size, the “get an inch up and get a belt” tactic is the same as having the right size. For a rather slender gentleman, though, it might not work as well; the extra size would be a bit more obvious. ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2017, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-pants-sized-in-odd-inches/781845/32 "2017-03-10T23:16:17Z")
😕 why would anyone need pants with a waist greater than 30"? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-pants-sized-in-odd-inches/781845/33 "2017-03-11T22:06:14Z")
All of my jeans are either Levi’s, Gap or Uniqlo, they all do inch sizing. I’m wearing a Gap 31 right now. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2017, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-pants-sized-in-odd-inches/781845/34 "2017-03-11T23:33:11Z")
> [@G0sp3l](#): > > 😕 why would anyone need pants with a waist greater than 30"? > > 😃 We’re talking circumference, not radius!! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-pants-sized-in-odd-inches/781845.md?page=1)