Clothing sizes

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Examples of body measurements used for the sizing of clothes

Clothing size refers to the label sizes used for garments sold off-the-shelf. There are a large number of standard sizing systems around the world for various garments, such as dresses, tops, skirts, and trousers. Made-to-order garments require measurements to be taken, but these do not need to be converted into national standard form.

There are three approaches for size-labelling of clothes:

  • Body dimensions: The label states the range of body measurements for which the product was designed. (For example: bike helmet label stating "head girth: 56–60 cm".)
  • Product dimensions: The label states characteristic dimensions of the product. (For example: jeans label stating inner leg length of the jeans in centimetres or inches (not inner leg measurement of the intended wearer).)
  • Ad hoc sizes: The label states a size number or code with no obvious relationship to any measurement. (For example: Size 12, XL.)

Traditionally, clothes have been labelled using many different ad hoc size systems, which has resulted in varying sizing methods between different manufacturers made for different countries due to changing demographics and increasing rates of obesity, a phenomenon known as vanity sizing. This results in country-specific and vendor-specific labels incurring additional costs, and can make internet or mail order difficult. Some new standards for clothing sizes being developed are therefore based on body-dimensions, such as the EN 13402 "Size designation of clothes".

History of standard clothing sizes[]

Before the invention of clothing sizes in the early 1800s, all clothing was made to fit individuals by either tailors or makers of clothing in their homes. Then garment makers noticed that the range of human body dimensions was relatively small (for their demographic). Therefore, sizes were based on:

  • Horizontal torso measurements, which include the neck circumference, the shoulder width, the bustline measurements – over-bust circumference, the full bust circumference, the bust-point separation, and the under-bust (rib-cage) circumference – the natural waist circumference, the upper hip circumference and the lower hip circumference.
  • Vertical torso measurements, which include the back (neck-waist) length, the shoulder-waist length (not the same as the back length, due to the slope of the shoulder), the bust-shoulder length, the bust-waist length, and the two hip-waist lengths.
  • Sleeve measurements, which include the under-arm and over-arm lengths, the fore-arm length, the wrist circumference and the biceps circumference.

However, because of the drape and ease of the fabric, not all measurements are required to obtain a well-fitting apparel in most styles.

Standards[]

International[]

ISO[]

There are several ISO standards for size designation of clothes, but most of them are being revised and replaced by one of the parts of ISO 8559 which closely resembles European Standard EN 13402:

  • : 1981, Size designation of clothes – Definitions and body measurement procedure (withdrawn)
  • : 1977, Size designation of clothes - Men's and boys outerwear garments. (withdrawn)
  • : 1977, Size designation of clothes - Women's and girls outerwear garments. (withdrawn)
  • : 1977, Size designation of clothes - Infants garments. (withdrawn)
  • : 1981, Size designation of clothes - Mens and boys underwear, nightwear and shirts. (withdrawn)
  • : 1981, Size designation of clothes - Women's and girls’ underwear, nightwear, foundation garments and shirts. (withdrawn)
  • : 1977, Size designation of clothes - Headwear. (withdrawn)
  • : 1978, Size designation of clothes - Gloves. (withdrawn)
  • : 1981, Size designation of clothes - Pantyhose.
  • : 1982, Size designation of clothes - Hosiery.
  • : 1989, Garment construction and anthropometric surveys – Body dimensions (withdrawn)
    • ISO 8559-1: 2017, Size designation of clothes — Part 1: Anthropometric definitions for body measurement
    • ISO 8559-2: 2017, Size designation of clothes — Part 2: Primary and secondary dimension indicators
    • ISO 8559-3: 2018, Size designation of clothes — Part 3: Methodology of the creation of the body measurement tables and intervals
  • : 1991, Standard sizing systems for clothes (withdrawn)

Asia[]

China[]

  • GB 1335-81
  • GB/T 1335.1-2008 Size designation of clothes - Men
  • GB/T 1335.2-2008 Size designation of clothes - Women
  • GB/T 1335.3-2008 Size designation of clothes - Children
  • GB/T 2668-2002 Sizes for coats, jackets and trousers
  • GB/T 14304-2002 Sizes for woolen garments

Japan[]

  • JIS L 4001 (1997) Sizing systems for infants' garments
  • JIS L 4002 (1997) Sizing systems for boys' garments
  • JIS L 4003 (1997) Sizing systems for girls' garments
  • JIS L 4004 (1997) Sizing systems for men's garments
  • JIS L 4005 (1997) Sizing systems for women's garments
  • JIS L 4006 (1997) Sizing systems for foundation garments
  • JIS L 4007 (1997) Sizing systems for Hosiery and Pantyhose

South Korea[]

  • KS K 0050 (2009) Men's wear
  • KS K 0051 (2004) Women's wear
  • KS K 0052 Infants
  • KS K 0059 Headgear
  • KS K 0070 Brassiere
  • KS K 0037 Dress Shirts
  • KS K 0088 Socks

Thailand[]

  • Wacoal (1981, 1987)

Australia[]

  • L9 - Women's clothing - Apparel Manufacturers Association of NSW - 1959-1970
  • AS1344-1972, 1975, 1997 Size coding scheme for women's clothing
  • AS1182 - 1980 - Size coding scheme for infants and children's clothing

Europe[]

CEN[]

The European Standards Organisation (CEN) produced a series of standards, prefixed with EN 13402:

  • EN 13402-1: Terms, definitions and body measurement procedure
  • EN 13402-2: Primary and secondary dimensions
  • EN 13402-3: Size designation of clothes. Body measurements and interng national standards of the 33 member states. It is currently in common use for children's clothing, but not yet for adults. The third standard EN 13402-3 seeks to address the problem of irregular or Vanity sizing through offering a SI unit based labelling system, which will ALSO pictographically describe the dimensions a garment is designed to fit, per the ISO 3635 standard.

Germany[]

  • DOB-Verband (1983)

France[]

  • AFNOR NF G 03-001 (1977) - Human body - Vocabulary - Pictogram;
  • AFNOR EXP G 03-002 (1977) - Women Measures
  • AFNOR EXP G 03-003 (1977) - Men Measures
  • AFNOR EXP G 03-006 (1978) - Measures of babies and young children
  • AFNOR EXP G 03-007 (1977) - Size designation of clothes for men, women and children
  • AFNOR NF G 03-008 (1984) - Tights

- Sizes - Designation - Marking

Russian Federation[]

  • GOST R 53230-2008 (ISO 4415-1981) Size designation of clothes. Men's and boy's underwear, nightwear and shirts

United Kingdom[]

Clothes-size label with EN 13402-3 pictogram and body dimensions in centimetres (found on a high-visibility jacket sold in the United Kingdom).
  • BS 3666:1982 Specification for size designation of women's wear
  • BS 6185:1982 Specification for size designation of men's wear

BS 3666:1982, the standard for women's clothing, is rarely followed by manufacturers as it defines sizes in terms of hip and bust measurements only within a limited range. This has resulted in variations between manufacturers and a tendency towards vanity sizing.[1]

Former Yugoslavia[]

Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Serbia still use the JUS (F.G0.001 1979, F.G0.002 1979, F.G0.003 1979) standards developed in the former Yugoslavia.[2] In addition to typical girth measurements clothing is also marked to identify which of 5 height bands: X-Short, Short, Medium, Tall, X-Tall, and body types: Slim, Normal, or Full, it is designed to fit.

North America[]

United States[]

  • CS-151-50 - Infants, Babies, Toddlers and Children's clothing
  • CS 215-58 - Women's Clothing (1958)
  • PS 36-70 - Boys Clothing (1971)
  • PS 42-70 Women's Clothing (1971)
  • PS 45-71 - Young Men's clothing,
  • PS 54-72 - Girls Clothing
  • ASTM D5585-95, (2001)
  • ASTM D6829-02, (2008)
  • ASTM D5585-11, (2011) (withdrawn, 2020)
  • ASTM D6240-98,
  • ASTM D6960-04, Women's Plus sized (2004)

There is no mandatory clothing size or labeling standard in the U.S, though a series of voluntary standards have been in place since the 1930s. The U.S. government, however, did attempt to establish a system for women's clothing in 1958 when the National Bureau of Standards published "Body Measurements for the Sizing of Women's Patterns and Apparel." The guidelines of the book was made a commercial standard and was even updated in 1970. But the guide was eventually degraded to a voluntary standard until it was abolished altogether in 1983.[3] Private organization ASTM International started to release its own recommended size carts in the 1990s.[4]

Since then, the common US misses sizes have not had stable dimensions. Clothing brands and manufacturers size their products according to their preferences.[4] For example, the dimensions of two size 10 dresses from different companies, or even from the same company, may have grossly different dimensions; and both are almost certainly larger than the size 10 dimensions described in the US standard. Vanity sizing may be partly responsible for this deviation (which began in earnest in the 1980s).

Women[]

Comparison tables[]

Women's dresses and suits
United States 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
UK 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28
Germany 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54
France 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56
Italy 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60
Korea 44 44 55 55 66 66 77 77 88 88
Women's clothing sizes
USA 4 6 8 10 12
UK 8 10 12 14 16
France 36 38 40 42 44
Japan 7 11 15 17 21
Bust 32" 34" 36" 38" 40"
81 cm 86 cm 91 cm 97 cm 102 cm
Waist 24" 26.5" 29" 31" 33"
61 cm 67 cm 74 cm 79 cm 84 cm
Hip 35" 37" 39" 41" 43"
89 cm 94 cm 99 cm 104 cm 109 cm
Women's blouses and sweaters
EU 40 42 44 46 48 50
UK 34 36 38 40 42 44
US 32 34 36 38 40 42
Women's junior misses dresses and coats
EU 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42
UK 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17
US 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15
Korean casual / underwear (KS 051 - 2009)
Dress size 3XS XXS XS S M L XL XXL 3XL 4XL
Bust (cm) 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110-115 120-125
Japanese dresses sizes (JIS L 4005 - 2001)
Dress size 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31
Bust (cm) 74 77 80 83 86 89 92 96 100 104 108 112 116 120 124
Japanese dresses length modifiers
Modifier PP (double-petite) P (petite) R (regular) T (tall)
Subject Height (cm) 142 150 158 166
Additional hip girth (cm) 0 0 2 4
Japanese dresses fit modifiers
Modifier Y A AB B
Additional hip girth (cm) 0 4 8 12

Note: a Japanese dress marked 13-Y-PP or 13-Y-P would be designed for someone with an 89 cm bust and 89 cm hips, while a dress marked 13-B-T would be targeted at a taller individual with 105 cm hips, but the same 89 cm bust. The B fitting adds 12 cm and the T height modifier 4 cm to the base hip measurement 89 + 16 = 105 cm.[5] Additionally there are a set of age based waist adjustments, such that a dress marketed at someone in their 60s may allow for a waist 9 cm larger than a dress, of the same size, marketed at someone in their 20s. The age based adjustments allow for up to a 3 cm increase in girth, per decade of life.

Italian sizes (ITA)[]

Dress sizes are calculated as follows:

  • Standard dress size = (Bust Circumference cm / 2)

French sizes (FRA/BEL)[]

Dress sizes are calculated as follows:

  • Standard dress size = (Bust Circumference cm / 2) - 4

German sizes (DE/AT/NL/SE/DK)[]

Dress sizes are calculated as follows:

  • Standard dress size (Height 164–170 cm) = (Bust Circumference cm / 2 ) - 6
  • Short dress sizes (Height <164 cm) = Standard dress size / 2
  • Tall dress sizes (Height >170 cm) = Standard dress size * 2
Women's clothing sizes (DE/AT/NL/SE/DK) hide
Short Size codes
< 164 cm 		16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Standard size codes
< 170 cm 		32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54
Tall size codes
170 cm 		64 68 72 76 80 84 88 92 96 100 104 108
International XS S M L XL XXL
EU Tops 76 80 84 88 92 96 100 105 110 116 122 128
EU Bottoms 60 63 67 70 75 80 84 88 94 100 106 112
Shoulder Width (cm) 12 12 12 12 13 13 13 13 14 14 14 14
Arm length (cm) 58 59 59 60 60 61 61 61 61 62 62 62
Bust (cm) 74–77 78–81 82–85 86–89 90–93 94–97 98–102 103–107 108–113 114–119 120–125 126–131
Waist (cm) 58–61 62–64 65–68 69–72 73–77 78–81 82–85 86–90 91–95 96–102 103–108 109–114
Hips (cm) 80–84 85–89 90–94 95–97 98–101 102–104 105–108 109–112 113–116 117–122 123–128 129–134
Inside Leg (cm) 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114
65AA 70AA 70A 75A 75B 80B 85C 90C 90D 95D 100E 105E

Men[]

Comparison tables[]

Men's shirts
UK & other EU / Japan 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46
UK / US / AUS 14 14½ 15 15½ 15¾ 16¼ 16½ 17 17½ 18 18½
Japan[6] S S M M L L LL,XL LL,XL LL,XL
Korea[6] 90 95 100 105 110
Men's sports shirts, T-shirts
EU 36 37/38 39/40 41/42 43/44 45/46
UK / US XS S M L XL XXL
84 cm 92 cm 100 cm 108 cm 116 cm 124 cm

Men's sweaters, jackets
EU 38/40 42/44 46/48 50/52 52/54
UK / US S M L XL XXL
Men's suits, suit jackets, blazers, overcoats[7]
EU/Russia 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64
UK / US 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54
Japan 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52
Korea 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120 125 130
SML XXS XS S S M M L L XL XXL XXXL

Men's jeans, slacks, pants, trousers: Waist
EU 64/68 68/72 72/76 76/80 80/84 84/88 88/92 92/96 96/100 100/104 104/108 108/112 112/116
Italy 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55
UK / US 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 36 38 40 42 44

Men's jeans, slacks, pants, trousers: Length
EU 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48
UK / US 25/26 27/28 29/30 31 32 33 34 36
Men's underwear
EU 1 2 3 4 5
UK / US S M L XL XXL

French sizes (FRA/BEL)[]

Chest / Suit sizes are calculated as follows:

  • Standard Size Code = ( Chest Circumference cm + 1) / 2

German sizes (AT/DE/NL/DK/SE/FI)[]

Chest / Suit sizes are calculated as follows:

  • Standard Size Code (Normale) = ( Chest Circumference cm – 1) / 2
  • Short / Stocky (Kurz / Untersetzt) = Standard Size Code / 2
  • Portly (Bauchgrößen) = Standard Size Code + 1
  • Tall / Lean (Schlank / Lang) = (Standard Size Code - 1) * 2
Men's clothing sizes (AT/DE/NL/DK/SE/FI)
Standard Size Codes[8] 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74
Underwear[9] 4 5 6 7 8
International XXS XS S M L XL XXL 3XL 4XL 5XL 6XL 7XL
Chest (cm) 086–89 090–93 094–97 098–101 102–105 106–109 110–113 114–117 118–121 122–125 126-128 129-132 133-136 137-140 141-144 145-148
Waist size (cm) 074–77 078–81 082–85 086–89 090–94 095–99 100–104 105–109 110–114 115–119 120-124 125-128 129-132 133-134 135-138 139-142
Hip circumference (cm) 090–93 094–97 098–101 102–105 106–109 110–113 114–117 118–121 122–125 126–129
Height (cm) 166–170 168–173 171–176 174–179 177–182 180–184 182–186 184–188 185–189 187–190 191-192 193-194 195-196 197-198 199-200 201-202
Short / Stocky
(untersetzte) 		22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37
Chest (cm) 089–92 093–96 097–100 101–104 105–108 109–112 113–116 117–120 121–124 125-128 129-132 133-136 137-140 141-144 145-148
Waist size (cm) 081–84 085–88 089–92 093–96 097–100 101–106 107–110 111–114 115–118
Hip circumference (cm) 097-100 101–104 105–108 109–112 113–116 117–120 121–124 125–128 129–132
Height (cm) 163-167 166–170 169–173 172–176 175–178 177–180 179–182 181–183 182–183 184 185 186 187 188 189-190 191-192
Portly
(Bauchgrößen) 		51 53 55 57 59 61 63 65 67 69 71 73
Chest (cm) 100–103 104–107 108–111 112–115 116–119 120–123 124–126 127-130 131-134 135-138 139-142 143-146
Waist size (cm) 102–107 108–111 112–117 118–121 122–125 126–129 130-132 133-136 137-140 141-146 147-150 151-154
Hip circumference (cm) 108–111 112–115 116–119 120–123 124–127 128–132 133–137
Height (cm) 168–172 170–174 172–176 174–178 176–180 178–182 180–184
Tall size
(schlanke) 		90 94 98 102 106 110 114 118 122
Chest (cm) 088–91 092–95 096–99 100–103 104–107 108–111 111-114 115-118 119-122
Waist size (cm) 074–77 078–81 082–85 086–89 090–93 094–98 100-104 105-109 110-114
Hip circumference (cm) 092–95 096–99 100–103 104–107 108–111 112–115 116-119 120-123 124-127
Height (cm) 175–179 178–182 181–185 184–188 186–190 188–192 193-197 196-200 199-203

Size dividers[]

Size dividers are used by clothing stores to help customers find the right size. Like index cards, they are found on racks between sizes. There are three basic types: the rectangular, round and the king size. Among the stores that use them are Marshalls and TJ Maxx.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Clifford, Stephanie. "One Size Fits Nobody: Seeking a Steady 4 or a 10". Retrieved 2017-06-14.
  2. ^ Ujevi, Darko; Szirovicza, Lajos; Karabegovi, Isak (2005). "Anthropometry and the Comparison of Garment Size Systems in Some European Countries": 73. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ Ingraham, Christopher (2015-08-11). "The absurdity of women's clothing sizes, in one chart". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2018-05-18.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "When — And Why — We Started Measuring Women's Clothing". Time. Retrieved 2018-05-18.
  5. ^ "Japanese Size Charts". International Trade Administration. JIS. Archived from the original on 2014-11-11. Retrieved 2014-11-10.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "Men's Clothing, Size Conversion Chart – South-Korea". korea4expats. Archived from the original on 2012-05-16. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
  7. ^ "Men's clothing sizes - International conversion charts and size charts". www.sizeguide.net.
  8. ^ GmbH, BB-Trading. "Größentabelle Herren - Big-Basics.com". www.big-basics.de.
  9. ^ "Men's Size Charts: Guide how to Measure, Convert. + EASY Fitting Guide". BlitzResults.com. 2017-01-17. Retrieved 2018-05-18.

External links[]

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