IWB holsters and pant sizes

[MegaWatt]

I'm experimenting with a IWB holster and pant size. (Jeans) I take a 34" but if I put the rig inside the waistband, it's pretty tight so I bought a 36" to try. It fits a lot better but they're really baggy. I'm 55 years old and really not much of a fashion guy but I like to have my clothes fit so I don't look like one of the seven dwarfs. Is +2" about the standard? What has others done?

[longtooth]

That is what I do on Wranglers.

[WildBill]

+2" is what I started to do for my casual/dress pants. It's worked so far. I was actually surprised that the larger size didn't seem that much bigger. [Maybe I have just been trying to stuff myself into a smaller size] . I try to pick a style that's tapered or tighter in the legs, so I don't get the "seven dwarf" look. I just bought a pair of 5.11 Tactical and they are working fine. Haven't tried any jeans yet.

[propellerhead]

Seems like every pair of jeans I buy fits different. Even if they have the same size. Even with the same brand. Generally, plus 2 does it for me.

[seamusTX]

I'm experimenting with a IWB holster and pant size. (Jeans) I take a 34" but if I put the rig inside the waistband, it's pretty tight so I bought a 36" to try. It fits a lot better but they're really baggy.

That's pretty close to my experience.

I prefer tailored clothes, but ya ain't gonna squeeze in a full-sized pistol and look like a runway model.

The problem is that mass-produced clothes are proportional from top to bottom. If the waist is two inches bigger, the hips and legs are also bigger, and they're going to be baggy.

- Jim

[dukalmighty]

I ain't saying i'm too fluffy but when i carry my gun IWB on the left side i notice an appropriate bulge of flesh onthe right side when i'm looking in the mirror,i think i need more of these

[smyrna]

I too am at 34" waist and notice that the jump to 36" seems like they were built for "Omar the Tent-maker."

I think a lot of it has to do with where the holster rides around the waist. I've noticed that once you get behind the hip bone and between say 4 o'clock and small of back, the less room is needed in the waistband. I think this is because of the way the spine is naturally recessed in the back above and between the hips. In fact, I carry a combat commander in a high noon IWB at about 5 o'clock WITHOUT upsizing my jeans. But, I tend too wear them a little loose in the waist anyway. When I carry the Kel Tec P11 with belt clip, it absolutely disappears.

At first I was trying trying to wear the IWB too far forward. Not only did I look like I had a growth, but it was not comfortable at all. A little more experimenting, and I found the sweet spot, Comfortable and the pistol disappears...

[sbb]

I carry a 1911 IWB every day. I have found that with my older clothing (no upsize) I get more muffin top at the beltline. Newer pants fit more comfortably however I don't really want the extra room. Just as expenses grow to keep pace with increased income, my waist will increase to fill any additional space in my waistband.

[flechero]

Every brand of jeans is cut different and the lines in each brand... some of them are just baggier than others, if you go to a "slimmer" fit in the larger waist size it might feel more like your current jeans with a larger waist for the holster.

It's different on everyone, and we all have a different amount of room in our jeans. I wear the same jeans with a 1911 in a VM II as I do with no weapon. I obviously don't wear really tight jeans, though.

When I first started carrying, it felt like I needed an extra inch but I was already in between a 36 and 38 and liked the 38's. So I stuck with the 38's. I wear a belt whether I'm carrying or not so even if a tad loose, it's not trouble. Some of the wider pistols, revolvers and thicker holster designs may require 2" difference but I haven't ever needed more than that inch, with any of my set ups..

[barres]

I apparently have abnormally large thighs. I buy my pants to fit my thighs, and, as a result, there's almost always plenty of room in the waist for my IWB CCW rig.

[frankie_the_yankee]

2" up works for me carrying a Commander.

[M9FAN]

Only a 1" increase allows me to comfortably carry my Beretta M9.

[gamboolman]

+2" above what you normally wear for Wrangler 13MWZ Jeans is just right as Wranglers fit on the snug side.

I guess you could get the Slim Fit Wranglers if you are worried about the rest of the size of the pants?

[WillieD]

I wear 34" waist pants with or without carrying. After getting my CHL I still wear the same pants that I wore before, but did have to get longer belts. I carry IWB at around the 4 o'clock position and it does not add too much in the waistline.

[eagleeye]

I have to have an additional 2 in. on jeans as well.

I found some Croft & Barrow (Kolhs) slacks that have elastic on both sides that work out well for carry or not. They expand abuot right. They look like normal Dockers not you grandfathers church slacks with that three in elastic band that seconds as a girdle.

I can't wear jeans at work when I have to see the bosses so these work.