AF issue trousers

[Rob Sherlin]

  Do AF issue trousers run smaller than civilian? I got an awesome deal on a few pairs that were 38R, but there's no way these things are 38 waist. If they have a different measuring system, can someone let me know where to find a conversion table or how to figure it out so next time I can get the right size?

[jimmydeanno]

I think they run about an inch smaller.  My commercially procured jeans, etc are 32 waist.  My AF trousers are 33.  Best bet is to try them on, ordering things you aren't familiar with through a catalog has always been disasterous for me.

[notaNCO forever]

 My Blues pants are an inch bigger than my normal pants.

[Rob Sherlin]

Wow, then the measurement of these might be way off, because they seem like they are way more than just and inch smaller. I know I'm not gaining weight, in fact all the size 38 pants I have are getting loser.

[LtCol057]

I read somewhere recently that the sizing in the blues is about 2" smaller than civilian pants, just don't remember where I read it. 

[notaNCO forever]

  The new ones might be different mine are probably older and have different sizing. You would think when something says is a 32 inch waist it would be 32 inches, I guess that's not the case.

[SarDragon]

Just as an aside, I've noticed that sizing has gotten bigger over the years. I have "medium" t-shirts from 15 years ago that are distinctly smaller that new shirts labeled for the same size. Similar differences may exist in civilian clothing, despite numbered sizing.

YMMV.

[Grumpy]

Dave,

Do you think they may have shrunk over the years of washings?  15 years, wow what's left of them, the collar?

[LtCol Hooligan]

Or it could be because our nation is getting larger and to make people feel better about themselves, companied changes the definition of sizes!!  Try shopping in Old Navy sometime.  You will feel way better about yourself.

Just a thought on the pant issue- is it possible someone took them in at some point in time?  I know I had a pair taylored and you cannot tell.

[LtCol White]

They run a good size and a half to almost two sizes smaller than labeled.

[SarDragon]

Dave,

Do you think they may have shrunk over the years of washings?  15 years, wow what's left of them, the collar?

Considering frequency of wear, I don't think so, on either account. In fact, some of the newer shirts have been worn (and washed) more than the older ones.

Now I think we should get back on topic, or Mike will shut us off!

[Grumpy]

 

[Rob Sherlin]

  Well, I'll probably go with the AF size running 2 sizes smaller (or 2") comment. I can see where it could be possible that someone took them in, but I bought 2 pair from one place, and a 3rd pair from another, and all three are the same. It's a big dissapointment, because they're in excellent condition, and the right shade to match the service cap and everything....they just don't fit!

[SJFedor]

  Do AF issue trousers run smaller than civilian? I got an awesome deal on a few pairs that were 38R, but there's no way these things are 38 waist. If they have a different measuring system, can someone let me know where to find a conversion table or how to figure it out so next time I can get the right size?

It's also possible that someone who originally had them bought them as 38Rs, and then had the waist/seat hemmed in a little if they lost some weight, etc. I bought a pair of 38Rs once that fit me perfectly, but were nowhere close to being true 38Rs, as the next time I bought new trousers, I tried 38Rs on first and was swimming in them. They were more like 33Rs.

[SarDragon]

Have you actually measured around the waist of the trousers, and your waist? Are you really a 38?

[majdomke]

AF Blues pants have always been that way, since at least the 80's when I was in. Whatever size you really are, go up two inches and that should work. It's just like any other clothes item in the store. I wear the same name brand pants and every time I go to get more, sometimes they fit perfect and sometimes they are tight. All the same size mind you... At least, for every one's egos, they could have made them 2 inches too big, right?

[Rob Sherlin]

  OK, I just asked one of my co-workers who's in the AF Reserve, and he said the same thing, to order to sizes above for Blues

[AlphaSigOU]

All the blues trousers I own are a size or two larger that I normally wear: Usually I wear a 42 waist, but buy 44 waist in blues.