General Cycling Discussion - Sizing help for jersey's and shorts

Hey I figured you guys could help me out with sizing on cycling clothes. I'm going to be looking later this weekend and me being a newbie, im completely lost!
I have a pair of cycling shorts that are mediums but for some reason they are way to long. By long i mean that I have to pull the waist band up by my belly button in order to feel comfortable. I'm 5'7 165lbs and I'm not sure if the sizing is different compared to street clothes. My waist is 32 so would i need a Small size? Also the jersey's do I want them big? Medium? or Tight?
I wear a size Large in shirts. Hope this helps. Thanks for the help!

Road shorts tend to be high-waisted. This prevents "plumber's crack" when down in the drops. I'm a 32 waist and wear mediums. It takes some getting used to them coming up so high in front.

Road jerseys come in "race cut" and "club cut". Race cut fits those of us with a cyclist's, "athletic" or "swimmer's" build. Club cut fits those folks equipped with love handles. Mass-market retailers (Nashbar, etc) generally have only one cut, somewhere in between the two.

I have 42" shoulders and wear a large race cut, which fits nice and tight, or a medium club cut, which still flaps in the breeze around my middle despite being the smaller size.

Someone else will have to chime in on MTB shorts and shirts.

Shorts, in particular, are problematic fit-wise. Some web retailers, aerotechdesigns for example, have very trustworthy sizing charts. The so-called size on the label can in no way be compared with standard american sizing. Even "US" companies such as Nashbar have in my opinion very suspect sizing.

Sizing varies all over the map unfortunately depending on maker. Campagnolo clothing is made for skinny Italians as their XL jersey is listed as for a 40" to 42" chest IIRC. Best to visit several bike shops and try on various brands of clothing to determine what size fits right for you from various manufacturers.

Only one way to see if clothing is the right size and that is try them on. Shorts have to fit right and every manufacturer has some differences in their "Fit". Jerseys are not as critical as they can be a bit loose but shorts have to fit right. Try before you buy.

thanks for the help people :)

US sizes fit larger than Euro sizes. You're probably a medium, yes.

Might want to consider bibs over shorts. They're much more comfortable. Performancebike.com has some reasonably priced ones.