Hey Spats, I'm glad to hear that you're happy with the quality of the belt, but very sorry that the sizing didn't work out right! The vast majority of our customers get a very good fit using the measuring method shown on our website. But once in a while it doesn't work out right, and in your case it sounds like the belt is somewhere between 1.5" and 2.25" too short! I'm at a loss to explain how there could be such a large difference, unless maybe we shipped the wrong belt? (wouldn't be the first mistake we've ever made). So please do check the belt and see if it measures out correctly.
In any case, there's no need to live with a belt that doesn't fit well. Just send the belt back to us and we'll be happy to exchange it for the size you need.