Convert clothing sizes between US, UK, EU, Japan, and Australia. Works for women's, men's, and kids' tops, dresses, pants, and shoes. Critical when buying from international brands.
There's no single international standard for clothing sizes. Each country built its system around its own population's average body measurements decades ago, and the numbers stuck even as bodies (and brands) evolved. A US women's size 8 is a UK 12, an EU 38, and a Japanese 11 — same body, four different numbers.
To make it worse, individual brands "vanity size" — labeling a garment one size smaller than the actual measurement to flatter customers. Today's US "8" was a "12" in 1970s sizing.
For tops and dresses, always check the brand's size chart against your bust, waist, and hip measurements. For pants, waist and inseam. Brand-to-brand variance within one country can be larger than country-to-country differences:
International returns can cost more than the item. Brands like Uniqlo, COS, ASOS, and Zara have generally accurate size charts on their international sites. Smaller boutique brands often don't — order one size up from your chart conversion and check before tags come off.
For tested travel-friendly clothing brands across regions, see our apparel reviews.