Clothing size

Body measurements to determine the clothing size.

The clothing size (also dress size or clothing size) is the size of more modern clothing ( clothing ), which is based on the body measurements of the wearer. The size system is different for men and women. In addition, a distinction is made between European and US sizes, with some countries in Europe deviating from the EU size system. Separate measurement systems exist for bras , headgear , shoes , gloves and shirts (in men's outerwear ).

Determination of body measurements

The European standard EN 13402 unifies the information by specifying the relevant (body) sizes in centimeters, for example waist circumference and leg length for trousers , as has long been common with jeans , but there in inches (1 ″ = 2, 54 cm) and, in accordance with US American customs, the length of the inner seam instead of the inside leg. This can be done either through text or a standardized diagram of a human body. The dimensions taken into account are:

Head circumference

Maximum horizontal circumference of the head measured above the ears

Neck circumference

Circumference of the neck measured with a tape measure 2 cm below the Adam's apple and at the level of the seventh cervical vertebra

Chest (basket) girth (men)

Maximum horizontal circumference measured with normal breathing and an upright posture, the tape measure across the shoulder blades, under the armpits and across the chest

Chest circumference, bust size (women)

Maximum horizontal circumference measured with normal breathing and an upright posture, the tape measure horizontally under the armpits and over the largest extension of the breasts, usually the nipples. In practice, it is recommended to wear a well-fitting brassiere for the measurement

Underbust circumference (women)

Horizontal body circumference directly below the base of the chest

Waist circumference, waist circumference

Circumference of the natural belt line between the top of the hip bones and the lower ribs, measured with normal breathing, upright posture and relaxed abdomen

Waistband width

can be identical to the waist size, trousers are usually worn lower, below the navel, so the waist size must be larger (jeans measurements) than your own waist size, approx. 2 cm above the navel.

Hip circumference, seat circumference

Horizontal circumference of the buttocks measured at the widest point

Body height

Vertical distance between the top of the head and the sole of the foot, measured in an upright position without shoes and with closed feet (small children who cannot stand upright can also be measured lying down)

Inside leg

Distance between the crotch and the sole of the foot, measured as a straight vertical line with an upright posture, feet slightly open and even distribution of weight on both feet (not to be confused with the length of the inseam given in inches - measured from the crotch to the trouser hem)

Arm length

Distance from shoulder height ( acromion ) over the elbow to the end of the wrist bone, measured with a tape measure with the right hand closed into a fist at the hip, i.e. the arm at a right angle

Hand circumference

Maximum circumference measured over the knuckles of the open right hand, fingers together and without the thumb

Foot length

Horizontal distance between two perpendiculars, one with contact to the end of the longest toe, the other with the heel, measured barefoot and evenly distributed with the body weight on both feet

body weight

Measured with as little clothing as possible - also applies to the other values

calculation

At present, clothing sizes are usually given according to the following formula: clothing size = chest circumference divided by 2. For women, 6 is deducted from this value. Example calculation: With a chest circumference of 88 cm, the following applies for men: 88 cm / 2 = clothing size 44 (men). For women: 88 cm / 2 - 6 = 44 - 6 = clothing size 38 (women). Since this specification is not binding, the sizes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

children

In the case of children's clothing, the clothing size indicates the height in centimeters. For example, size 164 is for children who are 164 cm tall. The table contains common sizes. In addition to these, there are also smaller sizes for toddlers (from 56) and in-between sizes 6 cm apart (110, 122, 134 etc.). The age information relates to the median value (50% percentile) of the body length.

Clothing sizes children, dimensions in centimeters

size		Dimensions		girl			Boys
DE / EU	INT	Body height L [cm]	Chest circumference B [cm]	Waist circumference T [cm]	Hip size H [cm]	Age	Waist circumference T [cm]	Hip size H [cm]	Age
116		111-116	57-59	54-56	61-64	to 6.4	54-56	61-64	to 6.1
128	XXS	123-128	61-65	57-59	66-70	up to 8.5	57-59	66-70	to 8.3
140	XXS	135-140	67-71	60-62	72-76	up to 10.5	60-62	72-76	to 10.4
152	XXS.	147-152	73-77	63-65	79-83	to 12.0	63-67	79-82	to 12.5
164	XXM.	159-164	79-83	66-68	86-90	-	68-71	84-88	to 15.0
176	XXL.	171-176	85-89	69-71	93-97	-	72-75	90-94	-
188	XXL	183-188	91-95	72-75	100-105	-	77-81	96-100	-

The girls ' sizes from 152 upwards have a narrower waist than the boys' sizes, but a larger hip circumference. Up to about size 164 the clothes become slimmer with increasing size. The XS / M / L sizes are used for children's clothing, especially for t-shirts, climbing equipment and sporting goods.

There are special sizes for narrow or strongly built children. For the 4 cm narrower small size, the normal size is halved for the same length (e.g. 82 instead of 164). For the approx. 6 cm further large size 800 is added (e.g. 964 instead of 164) and for the approx. 14 cm further extra large size 600 is added (764 instead of 164). Sometimes these sizes are labeled XXS, XXL and XXXL, which can lead to confusion with the letter sizes listed above, which are based solely on body height.

Men's

For outerwear, the clothing size is given in either European or US sizes. This size then normally applies to all of the outerwear, including men's trousers. The figures for European sizes are based on the chest circumference. An exception is the shirt size, which is based on the neck circumference in centimeters. The trouser sizes are often given, especially in the case of jeans , based on the American model by waist size and inner leg length, i.e. the length of the trouser leg from the crotch to the hem. The unit of measurement is the inch (2.54 cm).

• Normal size = (maximum chest circumference - 1) / 2
• Short size (squat) = normal size / 2
• Belly size (normal) = normal size + 1
• Long size (slim) = (Normal size - 1) * 2

Men's clothing sizes in relation to body measurements

Normal size	44	46	48	50	52	54	56	58	60	62	64	66	68	70	72	74
underwear	4th		5		6th		7th		8th
International	XXS	XS	S.	M.	L.	XL	2XL	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
Waistband = waist (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
Buttocks circumference (cm)	090-93	094-97	098-101	102-105	106-109	110-113	114-117	118-121	122-125	126-129
body 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 size ( squat )	22nd	23	24	25th	26th	27	28	29	30th	31	32	33	34	35	36	37
Chest (cm)		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
Waistband = waist (cm)		085-88	089-92	093-96	097-100	101-106	107-110	111-114	115-118
Buttocks circumference (cm)		101-104	105-108	109-112	113-116	117-120	121-124	125-128	129-132
body height (cm)		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
Belly size ( normal )				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
Waistband = waist (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
Buttocks circumference (cm)				108-111	112-115	116-119	120-123	124-127	128-132	133-137
body height (cm)				168-172	170-174	172-176	174-178	176-180	178-182	180-184
Long size ( slim )		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
Waistband = waist (cm)		074-77	078-81	082-85	086-89	090-93	094-98	100-104	105-109	110-114
Buttocks circumference (cm)		092-95	096-99	100-103	104-107	108-111	112-115	116-119	120-123	124-127
body height (cm)		175-179	178-182	181-185	184-188	186-190	188-192	193-197	196-200	199-203

These dimensions are guidelines. Exact dimensions depend on the article.

Ladies

The normal sizes (32–44) for women assume that a woman is between 164 and 170 cm tall. For smaller women there are short sizes (16–22), for larger women there are long sizes (64–88). The figure for the European size was created by halving the chest circumference in centimeters minus 6 (different sizes are achieved than for men). The doubled normal size gives the long size, the squat size results from halving the normal size. Within a row, the sizes differ only in the waist circumference (and accordingly also in the chest and hip circumference). The clothing size for tops and bottoms can differ depending on the figure, as either the chest circumference (blouses, sweaters, jackets) or the waist (skirts, panties) is decisive, while the body size (except tights), the hip circumference (except bodice) and other measurements are only used as secondary parameters (e.g. dresses, one-pieces, sets).

Women's clothing sizes in relation to body measurements

Short size <164 cm	16	17th	18th	19th	20th	21st	22nd	23	24	25th	26th	27
Normal size ≥ 164 cm, ≤ 170 cm	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	46	48	50	52
Long size> 170 cm	64	68	72	76	80	84	88	92	96	100	104	108
International	XS		S.		M.		L.		XL		XXL
EU top	76	80	84	88	92	96	100	105	110	116	122	128
EU lower part	60	63	67	70	75	80	84	88	94	100	106	112
Shoulder width (cm)	12	12	12	12	13	13	13	13	14th	14th	14th	14th
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 size (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
Pants length (cm)	103	104	105	106	107	108	109	110	111	112	113	114

In the trade, the normal sizes are almost exclusively available. The long and short sizes, on the other hand, are only available in exceptional cases.

European sizes (EN 13402)

size	XXS		XS		S.		M.		L.		XL		XXL		3XL		4XL
Top	68	72	76	80	84	88	92	96	100	104	110	116	122	128	134	140	146	152
Middle part	52	56	60	64	68	72	76	80	84	88	94	100	106	112	118	124	130	136
Lower part	76	80	84	88	92	96	100	104	108	112	117	122	127	132	137	142	147	152

Conversion of international sizes

Many internationally known designers come from Italy or France ; these are countries in which the clothing sizes differ from those commonly used in Germany . As a guideline: The Italian sizes are three values ​​higher than the German, the French by one. A German Gr. 38, for example, corresponds to Gr. 44 in Italy and Gr. 40 in France. However, an exact conversion is not possible because the proportions of the individual body measurements assumed by the manufacturers are different in southern Europe than in Germany (for example, given the chest size: smaller body size, narrower hips).

Size 中 (medium / M)

In Asian countries, the three standard sizes are often identified with the Chinese glyphs: S with 小 , M with 中, L with 大 .

US sizes

A number of voluntary standards have existed since the 1930s, but there are no uniform clothing sizes. Clothing brands and manufacturers tailor their products to suit their preferences. For example, the dimensions of two size 10 dresses from different companies or even from the same company can vary widely. Some blame vanity sizing, which began in the 1980s, for these variances.

For sport and leisure wear in the USA, sizes S – XL are predominant for women and men (down and up with an additional 'X' for extra , expandable: for example XXS or XXXL). The capital letters stand for the following designations: 'S' for small (small), 'M' for medium (medium), 'L' for large (large), 'XL' for extra large (particularly large).

With the clothing sizes for women, the even numbers are counted from 0 (about XXS) to 20 (about XXL), as standard from 2 (about German clothing size 32) to 16 (approx. German clothing size 46); a size 12 roughly corresponds to the sportswear size L and a German 42. In addition, there are special sizes for slim ( Misses ) and small ( Petite ) women, which is indicated by a corresponding letter after the size number, e.g. 6P for size 6 Petite. There may be a risk of confusion with the UK sizes, which also count up in even numbers. These are nominally set two grade rules higher. The German size 38 corresponds to the UK size 12 (instead of the US size 8).

In men's clothing, the German count is reduced by 10 sizes: the German standard size range 48–56 therefore corresponds to the US 38–46; a German 52 so the US 42. The approximate equivalents to German short, normal and long / slim sizes are given by adding one of the letters 'S' for short (short), 'R' for regular (normal ), 'L' for long (long) or, rarely, 'XL' for extra long (particularly long) marked on the corresponding standard clothing size: So an American men's clothing size 40 corresponds to the German 50, then 40L corresponds to the German 98 , and the US 40S of the German 25.

For very tall (not necessarily slim) or very stout men (stomach sizes), some manufacturers in the USA also offer the special sizes Tall (large) and Big ( stout) in the sportswear sector . These sizes are graded in TL (roughly a generous standard size L with very long sleeves for tall men), TX, T2L, T3L, T4L and so on or B1X (roughly standard size XL with short sleeves and wider circumference for obese men) , B2X, B3X and so on to B6X or higher.

For shirts for men, the collar size is specified in inches (in half steps, occasionally also in quarter steps): the German standard collar size range 37–47 corresponds to the US range 14½ – 18½; a German 41 is roughly a US 16. For women, the standard size range 4 to 18 also applies to blouses, just as blouses in Germany are specified in clothing sizes 34 to 46.

For trousers - also for jeans sold in Europe - two values ​​are usually given, namely first the waist circumference and then the inside leg length in inches . The standard range for men for the waist size is: 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38 and 40. An American waist size of 34 inches corresponds roughly to the German men's clothing size 50. For women, the standard values ​​start at 25 inches. The inside leg lengths are specified as standard for both men and women in the even series of numbers 30 (short), 32 (normal), 34 (long) or 36 (very long). A typical representation for waist circumference 32 and leg length 34 would be: 32/34. By varying the two values ​​accordingly, it is also possible to generate suitable trousers for, for example, obese, short men (around 40/30) or tall, slim men (around 29/36) or, accordingly, also for women. If these numbers are multiplied by a factor of 2.54, the result is waist circumference and inside leg length in centimeters.

Clothing sizes women: Pants US

Normal size	32	32/34	34	36	36/38	38	40	40/42	42	44		46		48		48/50	50		52		52/54	54
International	XS			S.			M.			L.				XL					XXL
Waist (cm)	58-59	60-62	63-64	65-67	68-69	70-72	73-74	75-77	78-80	81-82	83-85	86-87	88-90	91-92	93-95	96-97	98-100	101-102	103-105	106-107	108-110	111-113	114
(in)	W23	W24	W25	W26	W27	W28	W29	W30	W31	W32	W33	W34	W35	W36	W37	W38	W39	W40	W41	W42	W43	W44	W45

US sizes for children's clothing

The size information for baby and children's clothing is given in M ​​(months) or T. They largely follow the CS-151-50 standards that have been in use since 1953. The size in months is also used in other countries. For the T-sizes, like in the EU, the body length is decisive. For example, the EU size for 92 is 87 to 92 cm in height in the US 34 to 36 inches. This is called 2T. This count only goes up to 12T, after which the "junior sizes" begin. These are always 27 lower compared to EU sizes. Shoe sizes start with size 0C (8.3 cm / size 15) and go up to 13C (19.3 cm / size 31).

Clothing sizes children (US)

body length	51-56	50/56	57-62	63-68	62/68	69-74	75-80	74/80	81-86	87-92 (86/92)		93-98	99-104 (98/104)		105-110		111-116 (110/116)	117-122	123-128
US	1-2M		2-3M	3-6M		7-9M	10-12M		12-18M	18-24 m	2T	3T	3T	4T / 4	4T	5T / 5	5/6	6th	6 / 6X

European sizes (EN 13402)

Example of a label according to EN 13402–1

Since 2007, the developed European Committee for Standardization , the European standard EN 13402 . ^(en) It contains standards for body measurement as well as systems for classifying and displaying the measured values. It summarizes body measurements in 4 cm or 6 cm increments, e.g. B. a chest circumference between 94 and 98 cm is described as chest circumference 96 or 94-98 ; the corresponding German clothing size would be 48 for men and 42 for women .

For clothing that allows even coarser clothing, e.g. B. T-shirts , the standard defines the letters XXS to 3XL known from international sizes.

Letter coding (EN 13402)

size	XXS	XS	S.	M.	L.	XL	XXL	3XL	4XL	5XL
Chest circumference (men)	70-78	78-86	86-94	94-102	102-110	110-118	118-129	129-141	141-154	154-166
Chest size (women)	66-74	74-82	82-90	90-98	98-107	107-119	119-131	131-143	143-155	155-167

Headgear

The inch specifications, which are given in many size tables, cannot be determined from the metric EU sizes by simply dividing them by the conversion factor 2.54.

Hat sizes for adults (details according to unless otherwise noted for the respective row or column)

International	XXS	XS		S.		M.		L.		XL		XXL
Metric / EU	51	52	53	54	55	56	57	58	59	60	61	62	63
inch	19⅞	20¼	20⅝	21st	21½	21⅞	22¼	22⅝	23	23½	23⅞	24¼	24⅝
English	6¼	6⅜	6½	6⅝	6¾	6⅞	7th	7⅛	7¼	7⅜	7½	7⅝	7¾
American	6⅜	6½	6⅝	6¾	6⅞	7th	7⅛	7¼	7⅜	7½	7⅝	7¾	8th
French	2	2½	3	3½	4th	4½	5	5½	6th	6½	7th	7½	8th

While in German-speaking countries the head circumference ( head width ) is given in centimeters, in France and Italy specifying points (is Points ) survived. The customs information in English-speaking countries refer to the diameter . The English measurements exactly reflect the diameter, while the US measurements are about an eighth of an inch larger.

Cap sizes for babies

Age	0–6 months		6–12 months		12–24 months
Metric / EU	40	42	44	46	48	50
English	4⅞	5⅛	5⅜	5⅝	5⅞	6⅛
American	5	5¼	5½	5¾	6th	6¼

Cap sizes for children

Age	2-4 years		4-6 years		6-7 years		8–9 years
Metric / EU	50	51	52	53	54	55	56	57

Re-determination of body sizes

The measurement of body sizes in the broader sense and the determination of their distribution on behalf of the textile industry are traditionally carried out in Germany by researchers at the Hohenstein Institute in Bönnigheim near Stuttgart by means of extensive series measurements . The penultimate traditional measurement of German men took place in the 1970s, the penultimate one for women took place in the mid-1990s.

In August 2007, the researchers began a new German serial measurement on behalf of 80 companies, primarily in the clothing industry (manufacturers and dealers) and some automobile manufacturers, for the first time using a laser full-body scanner, which included 13,362 people (men, women and children) between 6 and 87 years of age. The name of the project was "SizeGERMANY" and the initial thesis was that the population as a whole has become larger and thicker, so that men in particular have increasing problems finding suitable clothing because these are made up due to outdated figures (similar projects have already been carried out with French, British, Dutch and Spanish). The results were presented in mid-February 2009 and are not publicly available, but are only available to clients who, depending on the amount of data received, contributed between 5,000 and 75,000 euros to the costs.

Web links

Wiktionary: clothing size  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Big size men
2. ↑ Laura Stampler: - And Why - We Started Measuring Women's Clothing , October 23, 2014, from: Time, accessed January 3, 2020
3. ↑ NBS CS 151-50 detail.cfm? Document name = NBS% 20CS% 20151% 2D50 & item s key = 00121964 | Complete document , accessed January 3, 2020
4. ↑ Size tables, conversion and measurement instructions , accessed on January 3, 2020
5. ↑ Size tables, size according to age and measuring instructions , accessed on January 3, 2020
6. ↑ Children's clothing sizes , accessed January 3, 2020
7. ↑ ^{a b} International hat sizes (DE / EU / US / UK) | Measure hat size . In: Hutinfo . February 11, 2016 ( hutinfo.de [accessed October 18, 2016]).
8. ↑ ^{a b c} Conversion of hat sizes. In: jumk.de. Retrieved October 18, 2016 . 
9. ^ Georg Fischer: Expertise for the hatmaker and milliner trade . 2.00. Edition. Österreichischer Gewerbeverlag, Vienna 1986, ISBN 3-85207-840-7 , The head widths of hats, p. 190 .
10. ↑ Conversion of clothing sizes baby and child. In: jumk.de. Retrieved October 18, 2016 . 
11. ↑ SizeGERMANY website
12. ^ Publication by the Hohenstein Institute . June 2009 ( Hohenstein.de [PDF; accessed on January 9, 2017]).
13. ^ AP report in Die Rheinpfalz of August 11, 2007, page current events.