U.S. standard clothing size

U.S. standard clothing sizes for women were originally developed from statistical data in the 1940s and 1950s. At that time, they were similar in concept to the EN 13402 European clothing size standard, although individual manufacturers have always deviated from them, sometimes significantly.

However, as a result of various cultural pressures, most notably vanity sizing, North American clothing sizes have drifted substantially away from this standard over time, and now have very little connection to it. Instead, they now follow the more loosely defined standards known as U.S. catalog sizes.

Body measurements below are given in inches.

History

Men's standard sizes were probably developed first during the American Revolutionary War, and they were in regular use by the American army during the War of 1812 for ready-made uniforms (Felsenthal 2012). These were based on the chest measurement, with other measurements being assumed to be either proportional (the circumference of the neck, waist, hips, and thighs) or easily altered (length of the inseam) (Felsenthal 2012).

As this was largely successful in men, the same approach was attempted in the early 20th century for women using the bust as the sole measurement (Felsenthal 2012). However, this proved unsuccessful because women's bodies have far more variety in shape. The hourglass figure is frequently used as an industry standard, but only 8% of women have this body shape (Felsenthal 2012). A woman with an hourglass figure and a woman with an apple-shaped figure who have the same bust size will not have the same waist or hip sizes.

This was a significant problem for mail-order companies, and several attempts at predictable, standard sizing were made (Felsenthal 2012). In the 1940s, the statisticians Ruth O'Brien and William Shelton received a Works Progress Administration grant to conduct the most ambitious effort to solve this problem. Their team measured almost 15,000 women across the US. After discovering the complex diversity of women's actual sizes, which produced five to seven different body shapes, they proposed a three-part sizing system. Each size would be the combination of a single number, representing an upper body measurement, plus an indicator for height (short, regular, and long) and an indication for girth (slim, regular, and stout). The various combinations of height and girth resulted in nine different sizes for each numerical upper-body measurement, which was highly impractical for manufacturing (Felsenthal 2012).

As a result, O'Brien and Shelton's work was rejected. In 1958, the National Bureau of Standards invented a new sizing system, based on the hourglass figure and using only the bust size to create an arbitrary standard of sizes ranging from 8 to 38, with an indication for height (short, regular, and tall) and lower-body girth (plus or minus). The resulting commercial standard was not widely popular, and was declared voluntary in 1970 and withdrawn entirely in 1983. In 1995, ASTM International published its own voluntary standard, which has been revised since then (Felsenthal 2012). It has not been widely adopted.

Women's sizes

Women's sizes are divided into various types, depending on height. These charts give an indication of size only and are by no means exact as they vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, sometimes by a full inch up and down.

Overview

There are multiple size types, designed to fit somewhat different body shapes. Variations include the height of the person's torso (known as back length), whether the bust, waist, and hips are straighter (characteristic of teenagers) or curvier (like many adult women), and whether the bust is higher or lower (characteristic of younger and older women, respectively). These categories include:

Misses sizes

The most common size category. For women of about average height (5'4") with an average bust height and an hourglass figure. Dress sizes may be given as girth at the bust in inches (e.g., 36), but even-numbered sizes from 2 to 16 are more common. Categorical sizes range from XS (extra-small) to XL (extra-large).

Junior sizes

For short women with higher busts and fairly straight bodies. Junior sizes are commonly given as odd-numbered sizes from 1 to 15, which correspond to the next number up in misses' sizes.

Women's sizes or plus sizes

For larger women of average height, sometimes with lower bust lines. Like misses' sizes, the sizes may be given as a dress size based on the bust measurement, but they are usually given as even-numbered sizes from 18 up. Categorical sizes usually range from 1X (similar to extra-large, but with slightly different proportions compared to the misses' size) up.

Misses petite

Made For short women with average busts and more hourglass body shapes. Sizes follow the misses' standard and are marked with a P, as in 10P.

Junior petite

For very short women with average busts and fairly straight bodies. Size may be denoted as "5JP" or as "5P".

Women's petite

For larger, shorter women, sometimes with lower bust lines. Sizes are marked the same as women's with a P, as in 20P.

Young junior

For short women with high busts and fairly straight bodies.

Tall sizes

For taller women (usually 5'8" or above), usually with a proportionately average bust height and an hourglass figure. Sizes are usually written with the corresponding misses' size and a T to indicate tall, as in "10T".

Half sizes

For short women with lower busts and more hourglass body shapes. Sizes are written with a ½, as in "10½".

Details

Please compare to your favorite fit charts. These measurements conflict with many other size charts. These charts are significantly smaller than many current US clothing companies.

Pattern sizes - DuBarry / Woolworth (1931-1955)

5'3"–5'6" tall, average: bust (3" < hips), waist (9" < hips)
Dimension/size	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	18	20	22
Bust	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	36	38	40
Waist	23	23.5	24	25	26	27	28	30	32	34
Hip	31	32	33	34	35	36	37	39	41	43

Misses’ sizes (PS 42-70) (1971)

5'2½"–5'6½" tall, average bust, average back
Dimension/size	6	8	10	12	14	16	18	20	22
Bust	31½	32½	33½	35	36½	38	40	42	44
Waist	22½	23½	24½	26	27½	29	31	33	35
Hip	33½	34½	35½	37	38½	40	42	44	46
Back-waist length	14½	15	15¼	15½	15¾	16	16¼	16½	16¾

Misses’ sizes (ASTM D5585 95 (R2001)) (1995, revised 2001)

5'3½" - 5'8" tall
Dimension/size	2	4	6	8	10	12	14	16	18	20
Bust	32	33	34	35	36	37½	39	40½	42½	44½
Waist	24	25	26	27	28	29½	31	32½	34½	36½
Hip	34½	35½	36½	37½	38½	40	41½	43	45	47

Misses’ sizes (ASTM D5585 11e1) (2011)

5'5½" tall
Dimension/size	00	0	2	4	6	8	10	12	14	16	18	20
Bust	31⅛	31¾	33	34⅛	35¼	36¼	37¼	38¾	40⅜	42⅛	44	46
Waist (Straight)	25⅜	26⅛	26⅞	27⅝	28½	29½	30½	32¼	34	36	38¼	40½
Waist (Curvy)	23⅞	24⅝	25⅜	26⅛	27	28	29	30¾	32½	34½	36¾	39
Hip (Straight)	33¼	33⅞	35⅛	36⅜	37½	38½	39½	41	42½	44¼	46	48
Hip (Curvy)	34	34⅝	35⅞	37⅛	38¼	39¼	40¼	41¾	43¼	45	46¾	48¾

Misses’ sizes

5'5"–5'9" (165–175 cm) tall, average bust, average back
Dimension/size	4	6	8	10	12	14	16
Bust	32-34	34	35½	36½	38	39½	41
Waist	22-24½	25½	27½	29	30	31½	33
Hip	33-35½	36½	38	39	41	42½	44
Back-waist length	14½	14¾	15¾	16	16¼	16½	16¾

Miss petite sizes

5'1"–5'3" (157.5–160 cm) tall, average bust, shorter back
Dimension/size	4mp	6mp	8mp	10mp	12mp	14mp	16mp
Bust	32-34	34	35	36	37½	39	40½
Waist	21-23½	24½	26½	27½	29	30½	32
Hip	34-35½	36½	38½	39½	41	42½	44
Back-waist length	14	14½	14¾	15	15¼	15½	15¾

Junior sizes

5'4"–5'5" (162.5–165 cm) tall, higher bust, shorter back
Dimension/size	3	5	7	9	11	13	15	17	19
Bust	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38
Waist	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30
Hips	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40
Back-waist length	13.75	14	14.25	14.5	14.75	15	15.25	15.5	15.75

Junior petite sizes

5'1" (155 cm) tall, average bust, shorter back
Dimension/size	3jp	5jp	7jp	9jp	11jp	13jp
Bust	30.5	31	32	33	34	35
Waist	22.5	23	24	25	26	27
Hip	31.5	32	33	34	35	36
Back-waist length	14	14.25	14.5	14.75	15	15.25

Young junior sizes

5'1"–5'3" (155–160 cm) tall, higher bust, shorter back
Dimension/size	5/6	7/8	9/10	11/12	13/14	15/16
Bust	28	29	30.5	32	33.5	35
Waist	22	23	24	25	26	27
Hip	31	32	33.5	35	36.5	38
Back-waist length	13.5	14	14.5	15	15.5	16

Women’s sizes

5'5"–5'6" (165–168 cm) tall, average bust, average back
Dimension/size	34	36	38	40	42	44	46	48	50
Bust	38	40	42	44	46	48	50	52	54
Waist	30	32	34	35.5	37.5	39.5	41.5	43.5	45.5
Hip	39	41	43	46	48	50	52	54	56
Back-waist length	17¼	17⅜	17½	17⅝	17¾	17⅞	18

Half-sizes

5'2"–5'3" (157.5–160 cm) tall, lower bust, shorter back
Dimension/size	10½	12½	14½	16½	18½	20½	22½	24½
Bust	33	35	37	39	41	43	45	47
Waist	27	29	31	33	35	37½	40	42½
Hip	35	37	39	41	43	45½	48	50½
Back-waist length	15	15¼	15½	15¾	15⅞	16	16⅛	16¼

Girls' sizes

Girls' sizes

Dimension/size	7	8	10	12	14	16
Chest	25.5	26	28	30	32	34
Waist	22.5	23	24	25	26	27
Hip	26.5	27	29	31	33	35
Height	52	54	57	60	64	67

Boys' sizes

Boys' sizes

Dimension/size	7	8	10	12	14	18	20	22
Chest	26	27	28	30	32	33½	35	40
Waist	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30
Hip	27	28	29½	31	32½	34	35½	37
Neckband	11¾	12	12½	13	13½	14	14½	15
Height	48	50	54	58	61	64	66	68

Children's sizes

Children's sizes

Dimension/size	1	2	3	4	5	6	6X
Chest	18.5	20	20.5	21.5	22	23
Waist	17	18.5	19	20	20.5	21	21.5
Hip	19	20	21	22	23	24	24½
Height	31	34	37	40	43	46	48
Back-waist length	8¼	8½	9	9½	10	10½	10¾
Finished dress length	17	18	19	20	22	24	25

Baby sizes

Infant sizes

Dimension/size	NB	0-3 mo	3-6 mo	6-9 mo	9-12 mo	18 mo	24 mo
Weight	5–8 lb	8–12½ lb	12½–16½ lb	16½-20½	20½–24½ lb	24½–27½ lb	27½–30 lb
Height	less than 21½ in	21½–24 in	24–26½ in	26½–28½ in	28½–30½ in	30½–32½ in	32½–34 in.

Toddlers' sizes

Dimension/size	1/2	1	2	3	4
Chest	18.5	19	19.5	20	20.5
Waist	17	17.5	18	19.5	20
Height	28	31	34	37	40
Finished dress length	14	15	16	17	18

Conversion from catalog sizes

Companies who publish catalogs may provide the measurements for their sizes, which may vary even among different styles of the same type of garment. The sizes seen in catalogs generally have roughly the following measurements:

Catalog misses' sizes: 5'5"-5'6" (165–168 cm) tall, average bust, average back

Dimension/size	4	6	8	10	12	14	16	18	20
Closest standard size	10	12	14		16	18		20	22
Est. height	5'4" (162.5 cm)	5'4" (162.5 cm)	5'4.5" (164 cm)	5'5" (165 cm)	5'4" (162.5 cm)	5'6.5" (169 cm)	5'6" (168 cm)	5'6" (168 cm)	5'6.5" (169 cm)
Est. weight lb (kg)	115 (52)	125 (57)	135 (61)	145 (66)	155 (70)	165 (75)	175 (79)	180 (81.5)	195 (88.5)
Bust	34	35	36	37	38.5	40	41.5	43	44.5
Waist	25	26	27	28	29.5	31	32.5	34	35.5
Hip	35.5	36.5	37.5	38.5	40	41.5	43	44.5	46

Catalog women's petite (half-sizes): 5'1/2"-5'4" (153-162.5 cm) tall, lower bust, shorter back

Dimension/size					18W	20W	22W	24W	26W
Closest standard size	12½	14½	16½	18½	20½	22½	24½	26½	28½
Est. height	5' 1/2" (153 cm)	5'1" (155 cm)	5'1.5" (156 cm)	5'2" (157.5 cm)	5'2.5" (159 cm)	5'3" (160 cm)	5'3" (160 cm)	5'3.5" (161 cm)	5'4" (162.5 cm)
Est. weight lb (kg)	125 (57)	140 (63.5)	155 (70)	170 (77)	180 (81.5)	190 (86)	215 (97.5)	225 (102)	235 (106.5)
Bust	36	38	40	42	43.5	45.5	47.5	49.5	51.5
Waist	28	30	32	34	35	37	39	41	43
Hip	38	40	42	44	45.5	47.5	49.5	52	53.5

Catalog women's sizes: 5'5"-5'6.5" (165–169 cm) tall, average bust, average back

Dimension/size
Closest standard size	2	4	6	8	10	12	14	16	18
Est. height	5'5" (165 cm)	5'5.5" (166 cm)	5'6" (168 cm)	5'6" (168 cm)	5'6.5" (169 cm)	5'6.5" (169 cm)	5'6.5" (169 cm)	5'6.5" (169 cm)	5'6.5" (169 cm)
Est. weight lb (kg)	145 (66)	160 (72.5)	175 (79)	190 (86)	205 (93)	220 (100)	235 (106.5)	250 (113)	265 (120)
Bust	38	40	42	44	46	48	50	52	54
Waist	30	32	34	35.5	37.5	39.5	41.5	43.5	45.5
Hip	39	41	43	46	48	50	52	54	56

With the average American woman's height (20 years and older) at about 63.8" or approximately 5'4" (162.1 cm) (Department of Health 2012), both standard and catalog size ranges attempt to address a variety of weights / builds as well as providing for the "shorter-than-average" height woman with "petite" and "half-sizes". However "taller-than-average" women may find their size-height addressed by manufacturers less frequently, and may often find themselves facing issues of slightly too short pant legs and sleeve cuffs, as well as waist lengths.

Standards

Current and former national standards:

• ASTM D5585-95, 2001, Standard Table of Body Measurements for Adult Female
• ASTM D6829-02, 2008, Standard Tables of Body Measurements for Juniors
• ASTM D5585-11, 2011, Standard Tables of Body Measurements for Adult Female Misses Figure Type, Size Range 00–20
• ASTM D6240-98, 2006, ASTM D6240-98 Standard Tables of Body Measurements for Men Sizes Thirty-Four to Sixty (34 to 60)
• ASTM D6458-99, 2006, Standard Tables of Body Measurements for Boys, Sizes 8 to 14 Slim and 8 to 20 Regular
• ASTM D6960-04, 2004, Standard Table of Body Measurements Relating to Women's Plus Size Figure Type, Sizes 14W-32W
• CS-151-50 - Infants', Babies', Toddlers' and Children's clothing
• CS-215-58, 1958 - Body measurements for the sizing of Women's patterns and apparel
• PS 42-70, 1971 - Women's Clothing
• PS 36-70 - Boys' Clothing
• PS 45-71 - Young Men's clothing
• PS 54-72 - Girls' Clothing

See also

• Clothing sizes
• EN 13402
• Vanity sizing
• Petite size

References

• Felsenthal, Julia (25 January 2012). "A Size 2 Is a Size 2 Is a Size 8: Why clothing sizes make no sense". Slate.com. {{cite news}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Reader's Digest Editors (2002). New Complete Guide to Sewing. Reader's Digest. ISBN 978-0-7621-0420-8. {{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help) Provides a complete listing of the standard sizes.
• Anthropometric Reference Data for Children and Adults: United States, 2007–2010 (PDF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, October 2012