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These days, buying clothes from around the world is easier than ever thanks to global e-commerce. However, understanding the various clothing sizing systems can be challenging. Therefore, this guide aims to help you figure out your clothing size abroad, making your international shopping easier with tips and advice, ensuring your clothes fit perfectly.
1. Clothing Size Systems
When it comes to shopping for clothes abroad, one of the biggest challenges is figuring out your clothing size abroad. This is because sizes can vary significantly across continents, and what's considered a "Medium" in one country may be a "Large" in another. So, let's explore the main sizing systems and how they compare, helping you shop internationally with confidence.
Overview of Size Systems
The main clothing sizing systems include those of the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), European Union (EU), and Asia (AS). However, each of these systems has its own rules and standards that can confuse international consumers, leaving you unable to determine your correct clothing size abroad.
- United States (US): The US sizing system is widely used in North America. Sizes are typically indicated by numbers (e.g., 4, 6, 8) for bottoms like pants and shorts , and letters (S, M, L, etc.) for tops like shirts and jackets . Children's sizes are categorized by age.
- United Kingdom (UK): In the UK, clothing sizes are similar to those in the US, but with different numbers (e.g., 8, 10, 12). Sizes also use letters, but may differ slightly in measurements.
- European Union (EU): The European system uses a numerical scale based on body measurements in centimeters. For example, a European size 38 for women is approximately a UK size 8.
- Asia (AS): In Asia, size systems can vary greatly between countries. Japan, for example, has its own system based on small, medium, and large, while China uses numbers that may not directly correspond to Western systems.
Tops have a universal system, using letters to define the sizes of the garments. This makes it much easier to determine your clothing size abroad. They are:
- XS (XS) - Extra Small
- S (P) - Small
- M (M) - Medium
- L (G) - Large
- XL (GG) - Extra Large
Cultural and Historical Differences
Differences in clothing sizing systems aren't just a matter of numbers; they also reflect cultural and historical variations in body measurements and fit preferences. For example, clothes in Asia tend to be smaller and more fitted than in the United States or Europe. This variation can be attributed to differences in regional body averages and tailoring traditions.
Understanding these sizing systems is essential for successful international shopping. Therefore, in the following sections, we'll explore how clothing sizes vary specifically across continents, providing conversion charts and helpful tips for figuring out your clothing size abroad.
2. Find your North American clothing size
Shopping for clothing in North America, especially the United States and Canada, is made easier by the use of largely standardized sizing systems. However, understanding these measurements and how they translate to other international systems can be tricky. Therefore, we'll break down the US and Canadian sizing systems and provide helpful conversion charts.
United States
In the United States, clothing sizes vary across different categories, such as men's, women's, and children's. So, here are the main categories and their sizing systems:
Men:
- Upper Parts: Indications by letters (XS, S, M, L, XL):
| USA | Brazil | Chest (cm) | Waist (cm) | Hips (cm) | Height (cm) |
| XS | PP | 82-89 | 66-72 | 85-90 | 165-169 |
| S | P | 90-97 | 73-79 | 91-96 | 170-174 |
| M | M | 98-105 | 80-85 | 97-102 | 175-179 |
| L | G | 106-113 | 86-93 | 103-108 | 180-184 |
| XL | GG | 114-121 | 94-99 | 109-114 | 185-189 |
- Lower Parts: Indications by waist measurements in inches (28, 30, 32, etc.):
| USA | Brazil |
| 26 | 36 |
| 28 | 38 |
| 30 | 40 |
| 32 | 42 |
| 34 | 44 |
| 36 | 46 |
| 38 | 48 |
| 40 | 50 |
| 42 | 52 |
- Shoes: Also indicated by numbers and "half" (5, 5.5, 6...):
| Brazil | USA |
| 34 | 5 |
| 35 | 5.5 |
| 36 | 6 |
| 37 | 6.5 |
| 38 | 7 |
| 39 | 7.5 |
| 40 | 8.5 |
| 41 | 9.5 |
| 42 | 10 |
| 43 | 11 |
| 44 | 12 |
| 45 | 12.5 |
| 46 | 13.5 |
Women:
- Upper parts: Generally indicated by letters (XS, S, M, L, XL):
| USA | Brazil | Height (cm) | Chest (cm) | Waist (cm) | Hips (cm) | Jeans (Inches) |
| XS | PP | 158-163 | 82-84 | 60-65 | 84-88 | 26/27 |
| S | P | 163-168 | 84-88 | 65-70 | 88-92 | 27/28 |
| M | M | 168-173 | 88-92 | 70-75 | 92-96 | 29 |
| L | G | 173-178 | 92-96 | 75-80 | 96-100 | 30/31 |
| XL | GG | 178-183 | 96-100 | 80-85 | 100-104 | 32 |
- Lower Parts: Typically indicated by numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, etc.):
| USA | Brazil |
| 0 | 34 |
| 2 | 36 |
| 4 | 38 |
| 6 | 40 |
| 8 | 42 |
| 10 | 44 |
| 12 | 46 |
| 14 | 48 |
| 16 | 50 |
If, in addition to these numbers, there's a letter following another number, that letter refers to the length of the jeans or the inseam. If this happens, S stands for short, R stands for regular, and L stands for long.
- Shoes: Generally indicated by numbers and "half" (4.5, 5.5, 6...):
| Brazil | USA |
| 33 | 4.5 |
| 34 | 5.5 |
| 35 | 6 |
| 36 | 7 |
| 37 | 7.5 |
| 38 | 8 |
| 39 | 9 |
| 40 | 10 |
| 41 | 10.5 |
| 42 | 11.5 |
Children:
Children's sizes are based on age, but may also include height and weight measurements. Additionally, sizes may be accompanied by the letter Y. This letter represents the recommended age for a child to wear the garment. So, if a garment is sized "6Y," it means it's for six-year-olds.
- Clothes:
| USA | Brazil |
| 2-3 | 2 |
| 4-5 | 4 |
| 6-6x | 6 |
| 7-8 | 8 |
| 10 | 10 |
| 12 | 12 |
| 14 | 14 |
| 16+ | 16+ |
- Shoes:
| USA | Brazil |
| 3.5 | 18 |
| 4 | 19 |
| 5 | 20 |
| 6 | 21 |
| 7 | 22 |
| 7.5 | 23 |
| 8.5 | 24 |
| 9 | 25 |
| 10 | 26 |
| 11 | 27 |
| 11.5 | 28 |
| 12.5 | 29 |
| 13 | 30 |
| 1 (Y) | 31 |
| 2 (Y) | 32 |
| 2.5 (Y) | 33 |
| 3 (Y) | 34 |
Canada
The sizing system in Canada is quite similar to that in the United States, with slight regional variations. This is because many brands use the same sizing standards as the US.
3. Find out your European clothing size
Shopping for clothes in Europe can be challenging due to differences in sizing systems between countries. However, understanding these differences will allow you to shop with confidence and find the perfect fit. So, let's explore clothing and shoe sizes in Europe, comparing them to Brazilian sizes.
United Kingdom
In the UK, clothing sizes for men and women are indicated by numbers and letters. Uppers follow the same standard as in the US (S, M, L, etc.), while lowers and footwear have some differences for men and women:
Men:
- Lower Parts:
| United Kingdom | Brazil |
| 26 | 36 |
| 28 | 38 |
| 30 | 40 |
| 32 | 42 |
| 34 | 44 |
| 36 | 46 |
| 38 | 48 |
| 40 | 50 |
| 42 | 52 |
- Shoes:
| Brazil | United Kingdom |
| 34 | 4.5 |
| 35 | 5 |
| 36 | 5.5 |
| 37 | 6 |
| 38 | 6.5 |
| 39 | 7 |
| 40 | 8 |
| 41 | 9 |
| 42 | 9.5 |
| 43 | 10.5 |
| 44 | 11.5 |
| 45 | 12 |
| 46 | 13 |
Women:
- Lower Parts:
| United Kingdom | Brazil |
| 30 | 34 |
| 32 | 36 |
| 34 | 38 |
| 36 | 40 |
| 38 | 42 |
| 40 | 44 |
| 42 | 46 |
| 44 | 48 |
| 46 | 50 |
- Shoes:
| Brazil | United Kingdom |
| 33 | 2.5 |
| 34 | 3.5 |
| 35 | 4 |
| 36 | 5 |
| 37 | 5.5 |
| 38 | 6 |
| 39 | 7 |
| 40 | 8 |
| 41 | 8.5 |
| 42 | 9.5 |
European Union
In the European Union, clothing sizes for upper garments also use letters, as do the UK and US, but the numbers can vary significantly. While sizes are more uniform compared to other systems, it's still necessary to make conversions to compare with Brazilian sizes. So, let's see how these sizes translate in the following conversion tables:
Men:
- Lower Parts:
| European Union | Brazil |
| 42 | 36 |
| 44 | 38 |
| 46 | 40 |
| 48 | 42 |
| 50 | 44 |
| 52 | 46 |
| 54 | 48 |
| 56 | 50 |
| 58 | 52 |
- Shoes:
| European Union | Brazil |
| 39 | 37 |
| 40 | 38 |
| 41 | 39 |
| 42 | 40 |
| 43 | 41 |
| 44 | 42 |
| 45 | 43 |
| 46 | 44 |
