Women’s Clothing Size Chart and Fit Guide

Clothing sizes are not standardised anywhere in the world. A US 8 is a different garment at every retailer, and the same retailer often sizes differently across its own product lines. Measurements are the only thing that transfers. This guide covers how to take them and how to use them.

How to measure yourself

Take these once, wearing close-fitting underwear and the bra you normally wear. Keep the tape level and snug but not tight — you should be able to slip a finger under it.

1. Bust — around the fullest part, tape level front and back.
2. Underbust — directly beneath the bust, where a bra band sits.
3. Natural waist — the narrowest part of the torso. Bend to one side; it creases at the natural waist.
4. Hip — the fullest part, usually 18–22 cm below the waist. Keep feet together.
5. Inseam — from the crotch to the floor, barefoot. Subtract for the shoe you will wear.
6. Hollow to hem — from the hollow at the base of the throat straight down to where you want the hem, in the shoes you will wear. This is the measurement that tells you whether a midi will be a midi on you.
7. Shoulder to natural waist — tells you where a waist seam will land before you order.
8. Shoulder width — across the back from shoulder point to shoulder point.

US women’s size chart

This is a general reference. Every brand differs, so always check the retailer’s own chart against your measurements.

US size	Bust (in)	Waist (in)	Hip (in)	Bust (cm)	Waist (cm)	Hip (cm)
00	31	23	33.5	79	58	85
0	32	24	34.5	81	61	88
2	33	25	35.5	84	64	90
4	34	26	36.5	86	66	93
6	35	27	37.5	89	69	95
8	36	28	38.5	91	71	98
10	37.5	29.5	40	95	75	102
12	39	31	41.5	99	79	105
14	40.5	32.5	43	103	83	109
16	42.5	34.5	45	108	88	114
18	44.5	36.5	47	113	93	119
20	46.5	38.5	49	118	98	124
22	48.5	40.5	51	123	103	130
24	50.5	42.5	53	128	108	135

International size conversion

US	UK	EU	AU	Italy	France	Japan
0	4	32	4	36	32	5
2	6	34	6	38	34	7
4	8	36	8	40	36	9
6	10	38	10	42	38	11
8	12	40	12	44	40	13
10	14	42	14	46	42	15
12	16	44	16	48	44	17
14	18	46	18	50	46	19
16	20	48	20	52	48	21
18	22	50	22	54	50	23
20	24	52	24	56	52	25

Two quick rules that cover most cases: UK = US + 4, and EU = US + 32. Italian sizing runs about four numbers above EU.

Dress size versus body measurements

A garment’s measurements are not your measurements. The difference is ease — the extra room built in so you can move.

Fit	Ease over body measurement	Feels like
Bodycon / Compression	Negative to 0 in	Stretches to fit; requires stretch fabric
Fitted	1–2 in / 2.5–5 cm	Close but not tight
Semi-fitted	2–4 in / 5–10 cm	Skims the body
Relaxed	4–6 in / 10–15 cm	Comfortable, drapes away
Oversized	6–10+ in / 15–25+ cm	Deliberately loose

This is why a retailer listing ‘garment measurements’ rather than ‘body measurements’ can seem to be sizing you up. Check which one the chart gives — it is usually stated in small print, and it changes the answer completely.

Petite, tall and plus sizing

• Petite — generally drafted for 5′4″ and under. It is not a smaller size; it is the same width with a shorter rise, higher waist seam, shallower armhole and shorter sleeve and hem. A petite 10 and a regular 10 have the same bust measurement.
• Tall — generally for 5′9″ and over. Longer body, sleeve, rise and hem at the same width.
• Plus — typically 14W or 16W upward. Well-made plus lines are re-drafted rather than graded, with a re-positioned waist seam, wider armhole and adjusted dart placement.
• ‘W’ sizing — a 16W is cut differently from a 16, usually with more room at the waist and hip relative to the bust. It is not simply a larger 16.
• The rule that covers all of them: buy the line that is drafted for your proportions rather than buying a standard size and altering the length. Hemming cannot move an armhole or a waist seam.

Reading a brand’s size chart

1. Check whether it lists body or garment measurements. This is the single most important distinction and it is easy to miss.
2. Compare all three of bust, waist and hip. If you fall across two sizes, buy for the largest and alter the rest.
3. Look at the model’s height and the size she wears. Usually in the product description; it predicts length better than the chart.
4. Check the fabric. A non-stretch woven needs more ease than a knit with 5% elastane. The same measurements fit completely differently.
5. Read reviews specifically for fit. Search for ‘true to size’, ‘runs small’ and ‘sized up’.
6. Note the return window before ordering two sizes. Ordering two and returning one is a legitimate strategy where returns are free.

Bra sizing and why it changes the fit

A poorly fitting bra changes how every garment above the waist sits, and it is the most common invisible cause of a dress not fitting.

• Band — should be snug and level all the way around, doing roughly 80% of the support. If it rides up at the back, it is too loose.
• Cup — should contain the breast tissue with no gapping and no spillover.
• Sister sizes — going down a band size means going up a cup size to keep the same volume. A 36C and a 34D have the same cup volume.
• Re-measure periodically. Band and cup size change with weight, age and pregnancy more than most people expect.
• For occasion wear, take the actual bra you will wear to the fitting or alteration. A different bra can change a bodice fit by a full size.

Keep reading

• How to build a wardrobe that works
• Plus size wedding guest dresses
• Plus size and petite cocktail dresses
• Maxi and long summer dresses