STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Ahhhhh!!!!  These are the best jeans, EVER.  I seriously have at least one of like every brand out there (I'm a jeans addict, it's pretty sad), but I have the most James and they are the GREATEST.  The SOFTEST denim, the coolest pockets, the best detailing, the nicest washes, so flattering, and best of all they have the most wears before they get what I call "cheap denim syndrome"--aka, when a pair of jeans stretches out so much before you wash it again that it's just falling off of you and would fit someone 2 sizes bigger. The cheapest denim does this by then end of day one, but I wore my James at least 15 times before they did it. Usually this is fixed by washing but then there's "end of denim syndrome", which is when they stretch out so much that even if you wash them, they're stretched out to their limits and are no longer wearable. (yes, I know it's sad I've named these...) James are the best in both of these categories in my experience. 

Okay, so back to the original question.  I've found they fit pretty true to size (I fit just right into a 26 in just about every brand, and did into James), but I think they are forgiving in that they still fit just fine if you lose or gain a few pounds.