📏 Clothing Size Converter
Enter a size in the region you know and instantly see the US, UK, EU, and International (S–M–L) equivalents for women's and men's tops and dresses, plus jeans by waist — the quick reference for foreign and vintage thrift-store labels.
📏 Women's dresses — size 8 (US)
Reference measurement: bust ~36 in / 92 cm.
Sizes vary by brand, country, cut, and era — vintage sizing in particular runs smaller than the modern equivalent. Use these as general guides, not a fitting or authentication service, and check the garment's actual measurements when thrifting.
Decode any label on the rack
Thrift and vintage racks are a jumble of sizing systems — a French EU 40, a British UK 12, an old American 8, and a plain 'M' can all be the same garment. Converting between them at a glance saves a trip to the fitting room and stops you passing over a piece that would actually fit.
Remember that sizing has drifted over time and differs by maker, so once the converter puts you in range, check the garment's real measurements. Then use the Cost Per Wear Calculator to judge whether that perfect find earns its place in your wardrobe.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do US, UK, and EU clothing sizes line up?
For women's tops and dresses the standard anchor is US 8 = UK 12 = EU 40 = M, and each step of 2 in US sizing is a step of 2 in EU (34, 36, 38…) and 2 in UK (6, 8, 10…). Men's tops use the same S–M–L letters in the US and UK, mapping to EU numbers roughly 44–46 (S), 48–50 (M), 52–54 (L). Jeans are sized by waist in inches, and the EU number is about the waist plus 16 (a 32-inch waist is EU 48).
Why do thrifted clothes so often fit differently than the label says?
Sizes vary by brand, country, cut, and era — these are general guides, not authentication or a guaranteed fit. Two garments both labeled 'US 8' can differ by a full size between brands, and vintage sizing runs notably smaller than the modern equivalent because size numbers have drifted larger over the decades (vanity sizing). When thrifting, treat the label as a starting point and measure the garment.
How should I measure to be sure?
Lay the garment flat and measure the chest/bust across the front seam-to-seam then double it, and the waist the same way. Compare that to a garment you already own and love. For jeans, measure the flat waistband end to end and double it for the waist in inches. Those real measurements beat any label or conversion chart.
Do these tables cover vintage sizing exactly?
No single chart can. The conversions here reflect modern standard sizing; a 1960s or 1970s dress marked 'size 12' will usually fit closer to a modern 6–8. Use the converter to get in the right neighbourhood, then rely on measurements for anything vintage.