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The ultimate guide to dress size conversion for 2024

Here's how to know what size women's dress or men's shirts and pants to buy from international sites.

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To take the stress out of shopping online for clothing from other countries, we've researched a few different sources and constructed a few handy conversion charts for all your international online shopping needs.

A few easy rules to remember:

  • AU dress sizing is the same as the UK; minus 2 sizes to get your US size.
  • S/M/L can vary hugely – always check the retailer's own sizing chart.
  • French sizes are also used in Belgium and Portugal.
  • German sizes are also used in Austria, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway.

Women's dress sizes

Women's dress sizes in Australia

Some places like France, Spain, Italy and Germany are sized roughly according to the size of the hip, give or take a few inches. If you know your Australian dress size, matching it up to the hip measurement should give you roughly what your size would be in those countries.

Australian sizeBustWaistHips
INCHESCMINCHESCMINCHESCM
4327824.5603484
63380.525.562.53586.5
8348326.5653689
10368828.5703894
12389330.5754099
14409832.58042104
164210334.58544109
1845110.537.592.547116.5
205012742.910954.7139
2252.813445.711657.5146
2455.514448.412360.2153

Women's dress size chart: International

Australian sizes are measured the same as the UK. So if you're a 10 in Australia, you'll need a 10 from a UK-based store.

If you're purchasing from an American store, you'll need to go 2 sizes smaller. So if you're a 10 in Australia, you're a 6 in the US.

Japanese sizes are 1 digit bigger, rather than 1 size. So a 10 in Australia is an 11 in Japan.

Most other countries' measurements are roughly the same as the hip measurement in inches.

Australia4681012141618202224
UK4681012141618202224
France & Spain3234363840424446485052
Germany3436384042444648505254
Italy3638404244464850525456
US02468101214161820
Japan5791113151719212327


Men's shirt sizes

Men's shirt sizes in Australia are equal to the size of your chest in inches. If your chest measures 36 inches, you'll be a size 36.

SizeChestNeck
INCHESCMINCHESCM
XXXS30-3276-811436
XXS32-3481-8614.537.5
XS34-3686-911538.5
S36-3891-9615.539.5
M38-4096-1011641.5
L40-42101-1061743.5
XL42-44106-11117.545.5
XXL44-46111-11618.547.5
XXXL46-48116-12119.549.5

Men's jacket/suit sizes

For some countries, the size you need for a jacket corresponds to the size of your chest in inches. If you know your jacket size in Australia, you'll be able to buy the same size from a store in the US or the UK, which all measure in inches.

If buying from a store in Italy or France, add 10 to the Australian size. For example, if you're a 38 in Australia, you'll be a 48.

USUKItalyFranceAustraliaJapanChest (inches)Chest (CM)
3434444434S3486
36364646363692
3838484838M3897
4040505040L40102
424252524242107
4444545444LL44112

Men's trouser sizes

Similar to how shirt sizes correspond to the size of your chest, pant sizes for men are equal to the size of your waist in Australia. This is also the case in France, the US and UK.

If you're buying pants from an Italian store, add 16 to your size. So if you're a 30 in Australia, you'll be a 46 in Italy.

USUKItalyFranceAustraliaJapanWaist (inches)Waist (cm)
2828442828XS2871
29294529292974
3030463030S3076
31314731313179
3232483232M3281
33334933333384
3434503434L3486
35355135353589
3636523636XL3692
37375337373794
38385438382XL3897
39395539393999
40405640403XL40102


Common questions about finding your dress size

What clothes size should I be for my height?

There is no specific size you should be for your height; your overall health cannot be determined only by dress size, so it's best to see a doctor if you want advice on what a healthy size would be for you. The average height and weight for a woman in Australia are 70kg and about 161cm tall.

How can I find out my dress size?

The best way to determine your dress size is to use a conversion chart such as the ones above. These are based on our research across the web, but if a retailer you're buying from has its own, it's best to check that out. Use a tape measure to get accurate bust, waist and hip measurements at home.

What dress size is a "Medium"?

This varies from brand to brand and by country. Some stores will consider a medium to be a size 10, while others a size 12-14. As an average, a Medium is likely to be around a size 12. Generally a Small will be an AU 8-10 and a Large an AU 14-16. An Extra Small is likely to be a size 6, with an Extra Large likely to be a size 18. This is all dependent on retailers, dress cut and shape – so we'd always recommend trying a dress on, checking the store's own sizing chart or using a retailer with free returns.

What dress size is plus size?

It absolutely depends on the retailers, but a lot of plus-size-specific retailers will stock from a size 14 or 16.


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