Clothing sizes are unfortunately a minefield and this simple clothing size conversion tool can hep you navigate it. Certain apparel may adopt straightforward size labels like small, medium, or large. However, it’s crucial to recognize that a small (S) size in one region might not correspond to a “small” in another due to global variations in body types and sizes. Other sizing labels are not better, for example, a size 8 in the UK and a size 8 in the US are not the same. And there are also some differences within Europe: Italian and French sizes differ from other European sizes.
Different Sizing
Historically, clothes have been labelled using many different ad hoc size systems, which has resulted in many sizing methods between different manufacturers made for different countries due to changing demographics. Here are some of the common sizing systems.
US: There are different for men and women. Women sizes typically range from 0 to 20 and men from 30 to 50.
UK: For men UK and US sizes are the same. They tend to be different for women and range from 2 to 24.
International: This is the most common labelling ranging from XXS to XXL
Europe: It’s different from other systems and among men and women as well. Women sizes typically range from 30 to 52 and men from 40 to 60.
Measurement
Even though the size numbers are different for each system, they all correspond to some foundational body measurements. Before clothing sizes were invented sometime in 18th century, all cloths were tailor made to fit each individual. Clothing sizes become necessary as the world moved from tailor made to mass production. These days having anything tailor made is luxury.
Most clothing sizes and fit are based on these standard measurements. It you go to a tailor these are the measurement they would want.
- Horizontal torso measurements: It includes the neck circumference, the shoulder width, the bustline measurements, waist circumference and the hip circumference.
- Vertical torso measurements: It includes the back (neck-waist) length, the shoulder-waist length, the bust-shoulder length, the bust-waist length, and the hip-waist lengths.
- Sleeve measurements: It includes under-arm and over-arm lengths, the fore-arm length, the wrist circumference and the biceps circumference.
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