i know i've eaten a lot...but..

pants used to be worn on the waist. and the sizes used to be 27, 28, 29, 30....nowadays it is worn on the hip.. i'm sure designers know whether the pants they made are to be worn on the waist or on the hip..and the sizes haven't changed. but do the sizes now refer to dimensions of the waist or dimensions of the hip? cos if the same dimensions refer to that of the hip, i doubt anyone fits in the S sizes, and people with asses cant fit into XL sizes. a size 29 from IP zone is loose on my hips and might require a belt, but a size 29 from a pasar malam feels like tights. one is 3+ inches smaller than the other! i shall have to bring soft rulers with me when i go shopping next time..