Fashion 101 : Women's Clothing Sizes

FASHION 101

SIZING FOR WOMEN

How do I know what to shop for?

     First of all, start off by knowing that there is no standard for women’s sizing in the United States. It is not uncommon for sizes to vary from store to store or from brand to brand. A small in one place may be the same as a medium in another. It is always important to try clothes on or refer to the online sizing guide / description for the perfect fit!

     Clothing for women is usually broken down into three main categories: juniors, women’s, and young contemporary, also considered “misses.” Each uses the “small, medium, large” sizes for tops, but has different sizing for pants.

• Juniors’ pant sizes are indicated by odd numbers and are cut for younger, less curvy or defined bodies. Clothing is made to be slimmer in the waist, hips, and bust areas.
• Women’s pant sizes are indicated by even numbers and leave more room for different and more developed body shapes.
• Young contemporary or misses pant sizes typically use the even number indication and are meant to bridge the gap between juniors and women’s. Misses clothes are cut for more developed bodies.

Hips (in inches)		32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39
Waist (in inches)		22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29
Women’s Denim (EU)		24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31
Juniors	Pants	0	1	3	5	7	9 / 11	11 / 13
	Dresses & Tops	XS	S	S	M	M / L	L	XL
Young Contemporary & Misses	Dresses & Tops	XS	S	S	S / M	M	L	L	XL
Women’s	Pants	00	0	2	4	6	8	10	12
	Dresses & Tops	XS	S	S	S	M	M	L	L

But what if I’m looking at European sizes?

     European sizing is a little different from US sizing, because they use a standard for clothing sizes. It is called EN 13402 and is based on body dimensions in centimeters (Read more here:  http://www.onlineconversion.com/clothing_en13402_standard.htm). 

     European denim sizes start at 24, which is the equivalent to the US size 00. It increases by 1 to the next size: European size 25 = US 0, European 26 = US 2, etc.