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You're a size 8 in America, 38 in France, 12 in the UK, and 36 in Italy. Welcome to the confusing world of international clothing sizes, where the same person can be four different numbers depending on where they shop. Online shopping has made this even more frustrating - that perfect dress from a European boutique might arrive two sizes too small. Let's decode the madness and help you find your true size anywhere in the world.
1Why Clothing Sizes Are So Confusing
Unlike measurements like meters or kilograms, clothing sizes were never internationally standardized. Each country developed its own system, and even within countries, brands use sizes differently.
The Vanity Sizing Problem
American brands have been quietly making their sizes bigger over the decades. A size 8 dress today would have been a size 12 in the 1950s. This "vanity sizing" makes customers feel good but makes international shopping nearly impossible. European sizes have stayed more consistent, which is why Americans sometimes feel they've "gone up" a size when shopping abroad.
The EU Numbering System
European sizes use a completely different logic. They're roughly based on bust circumference divided by 2. So a size 36 corresponds to an 88cm bust (36 x 2 = 72, plus 16 = 88cm). But even this varies by country - Italian 42 is different from German 42.
UK vs US: The 4-Size Difference
The UK and US use the same numbering system but with a twist: UK sizes run about 4 numbers higher than US sizes. A US size 6 is a UK size 10. Simple once you know, but confusing if you don't.
2Women's Clothing Size Charts
Here are the conversion charts for women's clothing. Remember that these are general guidelines - always check the specific brand's size chart.
Dresses, Tops, and Jackets
US 0 = UK 4 = EU 30 | US 2 = UK 6 = EU 32 | US 4 = UK 8 = EU 34 | US 6 = UK 10 = EU 36 | US 8 = UK 12 = EU 38 | US 10 = UK 14 = EU 40 | US 12 = UK 16 = EU 42 | US 14 = UK 18 = EU 44 | US 16 = UK 20 = EU 46
Pants and Jeans
US 24 waist = UK 4 = EU 32 | US 26 waist = UK 6 = EU 34 | US 27 waist = UK 8 = EU 36 | US 28 waist = UK 10 = EU 38 | US 29 waist = UK 12 = EU 40 | US 30 waist = UK 14 = EU 42 | US 32 waist = UK 16 = EU 44
Bras (US/UK to EU)
US 32 = EU 70 | US 34 = EU 75 | US 36 = EU 80 | US 38 = EU 85 | US 40 = EU 90. Cup sizes: US A = EU A | US B = EU B | US C = EU C | US D = EU D | US DD = EU E
3Men's Clothing Size Charts
Men's sizing is somewhat simpler but still varies by region.
Shirts and Jackets
US XS = UK XS = EU 44 | US S = UK S = EU 46 | US M = UK M = EU 48-50 | US L = UK L = EU 52 | US XL = UK XL = EU 54-56 | US XXL = UK XXL = EU 58-60
Pants (Waist Inches to EU)
US 28" = EU 44 | US 30" = EU 46 | US 32" = EU 48 | US 34" = EU 50 | US 36" = EU 52 | US 38" = EU 54 | US 40" = EU 56
Suit Jackets
US/UK 36 = EU 46 | US/UK 38 = EU 48 | US/UK 40 = EU 50 | US/UK 42 = EU 52 | US/UK 44 = EU 54 | US/UK 46 = EU 56
4Shoe Size Conversion
Shoe sizing is perhaps the most standardized, but still requires conversion between systems.
Women's Shoes
US 5 = UK 3 = EU 35-36 | US 6 = UK 4 = EU 36-37 | US 7 = UK 5 = EU 37-38 | US 8 = UK 6 = EU 38-39 | US 9 = UK 7 = EU 39-40 | US 10 = UK 8 = EU 40-41
Men's Shoes
US 7 = UK 6 = EU 40 | US 8 = UK 7 = EU 41 | US 9 = UK 8 = EU 42 | US 10 = UK 9 = EU 43 | US 11 = UK 10 = EU 44-45 | US 12 = UK 11 = EU 45-46
The Centimeter Method
The most accurate way to find your shoe size is to measure your foot in centimeters. EU 38 = 24cm, EU 39 = 25cm, EU 40 = 25.5cm, and so on. Most quality brands include the cm measurement on their size charts.
Pro Tips
- 1For quick US to EU women's conversion: add 30 (US 8 -> EU 38)
- 2For US to UK women's conversion: add 4 (US 8 -> UK 12)
- 3For shoes: measure your foot in cm and use the actual measurement
- 4Always check the brand's specific size chart - especially for Asian brands which run smaller
International clothing size conversion doesn't have to be confusing. The key is knowing the basic conversion rules: for women's clothing, add 4 to convert US to UK, and add 30 to convert US to EU. For shoes, add 33-34 to convert US women's sizes to EU. When in doubt, measure yourself in centimeters and compare to the brand's specific size chart - it's the only truly universal language in fashion.
Sources
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