Here’s a first for me: bought a pair of pants recently. (Being at the thin end of America’s ever-widening size spectrum makes this a considerable challenge; indeed, this was from one of the few chains which carry my size.) In the fitting room, I thought “these are definitely too wide” but otherwise thought them fine. Once home, brought out the measuring tape and — sure enough — the tape says they’re 3″ wider than the label!

I’d heard last year that a certain large apparel chain had begun inching up men’s pant sizes (34″ was really 34 1/2″), but that chain had already excised my size years ago. Oh well; instead of hopping to New York to buy clothes, I guess I’ll have to try London and Hong Kong.