I bought a size that should fit my waist with no problem and technically I can put a belt on but with difficulty. Do yourself a favor and go one size up, or even two, so you have a strap long enough to wear without catching your breath. I started wearing canvas belts because I buy the cheap leather belts you can get at most stores. They start breaking and tearing because I think most people like me use the same holes every time and they just aren't built to be put on and taken off over and over again.