I realised the other day that my waist measurement was bigger than I thought it was
thing is, I’ve been wearing a size a fair bit smaller than that for… forever? and it’s fine?
I mean, I think my waistline has expanded a bit recently, but even at my slimmest I would have been a few inches wider than what I’ve always worn
is this at all common? it’s thrown me a bit
I think it can vary depending on the brand and how they cut.
I have two pairs of slim fit Levis, both smaller than I should be able to fit, but they fit fine?
are trousers supposed to be baggy around our waists or something? 
slim fit levis fit a good 2-4 sizes under like every other trouser in my experience. I can fit into a pair that should be 4 sizes too small.
me when I do so:
okay this is reassuring
like, I may be a bit thiccer than usual but it’s totally fine and I’m not doing jeans wrong
throwing this out to daytime too
I am always bouncing between 31 and 34 depending on the trousers
It’s all just made up but you could always use a tape measure to measure the actual circumference of the waists on the jeans if you’re interested in the facts.
I thought I was a 38 until quite recently when I realised I could wear a 34 comfortably.
I’ve always sized up and put on a belt. Just feels more comfortable.
aye as ssf says depends a lot on brand/cut/style of trousers.
i’m a 32 or 34 depending on the above.
although my 32s are certainly a tad snugger than they use to be 
Jeans are usually worn around the hips, not the waist, so it’s common for your waist measurement to be a few inches higher than what you normally wear…especially for middle-aged men like myself.