I like the 'pants' gauge also. I was 32 waist when I graduated college, and at my worst I was 38 waist for a brief time before I got my act together a few years ago (I bought 3 pairs of work pants in 38...then a few month later decided I was not going to go down the ever increasing pants road anymore).

Yesterday, I tried on my 34 waist jeans, and they fit but a bit too tight, so I went to my 35 waist jeans and they fit great. 34 waist is a stretch for me, unless I can find the will and way to stay under 190.

Bottom line, I will be buried in nothing larger than 36 waist pants:-)