Shopping for women's clothes in the US

Shopping for women's clothing in America is complicated business. There is a whole range of sizes to choose from. To make it a more challenging, the same size in two different stores is likely to mean two completely different things. If you're a non-standard size (extra-short, for example) - is it going to be a long day!


Wikipedia has a sizing charts for men and women.  The men's shirt sizes are based on four simple factors: the chest size, waist size, neckband and shirtsleeve.  This is why Vikram can find and purchase what he needs in less than half an hour. (His being less fussy helps). Vikram doesn't need to try on each size before buying a product.  He can make his purchases online, with minimal hassle. He is a happier customer, since he spends no time agonizing over purchases. Once he has narrowed down his size, he can pick a product based on its features: cloth quality, color, etc.

Men’s sizes

Dimension/size
	S		M		L		XL
Chest	34	36	38	40	42	44	46	48
Waist	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42
Neckband	14	14½	15	15½	16	16½	17	17½
Shirt sleeve	32	32	33	33	34	34	35	35

Women's sizes, on the other hand, are complex beyond belief. The following seven tables show the corresponding sizing charts for women.

Misses’ sizes

5'5"–5'6" (165–168 cm) tall, average bust, average back
Dimension/size	2	4	6	8	10	12	14	16	18	20
Bust	32-34	34	34	35	36	37½	39	40½	42	44
Waist	22-24½	25½	26½	27½	28½	30	31½	33	34½	36½
Hip	33-35½	36½	37½	38½	39½	41	42½	44	45½	47½
Back-waist length	14½	14¾	15½	15¾	16	16¼	16½	16¾	17	17¼

Miss petite sizes

5'1"–5'3" (157.5–160 cm) tall, average bust, shorter back
Dimension/size	0-2mp	4mp	6mp	8mp	10mp	12mp	14mp	16mp
Bust	32-34	34	34	35	36	37½	39	40½
Waist	21-23½	24½	25½	26½	27½	29	30½	32
Hip	34-35½	36½	37½	38½	39½	41	42½	44
Back-waist length	14	14½	14½	14¾	15	15¼	15½	15¾

Junior sizes

5'4"–5'5" (162.5–165 cm) tall, higher bust, shorter back
Dimension/size	00	0	1	3	5	7	9	11	13	15	17	18
Bust	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37½	39	41	43	45
Waist	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29½	31	33	35	37
Hips	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39½	41	43	45	47
Back-waist length	13¾	14	14½	14¾	15	15¼	15½	15¾	16	16¼	16½	16¾

Junior petite sizes

5'1" (155 cm) tall, average bust, shorter back
Dimension/size	3jp	5jp	7jp	9jp	11jp	13jp
Bust	33	34	35	36	37½	39
Waist	25	26	27	28	29½	31
Hip	35	36	37	38	39½	41
Back-waist length	14	14¼	14½	14¾	15	15¼

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	30½	32	33½	35
Waist	22	23	24	25	26	27
Hip	31	32	33½	35	36½	38
Back-waist length	13½	14	14½	15	15⅜	15¾

Women’s sizes

5'5"–5'6" (165–168 cm) tall, average bust, average back
Dimension/size	38	40	42	44	46	48	50
Bust	42	44	46	48	50	52	54
Waist	35	37	39	41½	44	46½	49
Hip	44	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

And that's not all!

1. There's no guarantee that a petite size 30 from one brand will be the same as a petite size 30 from another.
2. Even women's sizes within a brand change over time - a phenomenon known as "vanity sizing".  Manufactures want women to feel good that they still fit into a S dress, even though their actual size is a full two units higher, and they should be wearing a L or XL.  In order to fool women into believing that they are size S, the brands relabel the sizes. As a result, a size S in the US might be a size L in Europe.
3. Large variations in product batches and store stocking means that sometimes a size S for one brand in one store is size M in the same brand in another store.

It is not hard to have standard women's sizing, similar to the men's standard sizing. There are a small number of dimensions along which sizes can be measured. Europe already has a standard labeling for women's sizing.

Americans are stuck because it is hard to change status quo and manufacturers see no obvious benefits to standard sizing. Here are advantages that manufacturers should consider:

• Standard sizing makes online shopping simpler. E-commerce is growing rapidly. Alienating the online audience is a bad strategy in the long run.
• Standard sizing reduces in-store returns. Lower returns means higher efficiency and lower cost of stocking products.
• Standard sizing makes shopping less stressful and more fun. Shoppers are happier with their purchase when they can make choices quickly.
• Standard sizing saves customers time. They can buy more, instead of agonizing over every product bought.
• Customers can chose brands for the convenience of standard sizing. It is easier to switch to a brand that carries standard sizing.