US standard clothing size

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

US standard clothing sizes for women were originally developed from statistical data in the 1940s1950s. 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 US catalog sizes.

Body measurements below are given in inches.

Contents
1 History
2 Women's sizes
2.1 Overview
2.2 Details
3 Girls' sizes
4 Boys' sizes
5 Children's sizes
6 Baby sizes
7 Conversion from catalog sizes
8 Standards
9 See also
10 References

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
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 , as in
"10".

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)[1]

5'3"5'6" tall, average: bust (3" < hips), waist (9" < hips)

Dimension/size 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 20 40

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)[2] (1971)

5'2"5'6" tall, average bust, average back

Dimension/size 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22

Bust 31 32 33 35 36 38 40 42 44

Waist 22 23 24 26 27 29 31 33 35

Hip 33 34 35 37 38 40 42 44 46

Back-waist length 14 15 15 15 15 16 16 16 16

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

5'3" - 5'8" tall

Dimension/size 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

Bust 32 33 34 35 36 37 39 40 42 44

Waist 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 32 34 36

Hip 34 35 36 37 38 40 41 43 45 47

Misses sizes (ASTM D5585 11e1)[3] (2011)

5'5" tall

Dimension/size 00 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

Bust 31 31 33 34 35 36 37 38 40 42 44 46

Waist (Straight) 25 26 26 27 28 29 30 32 34 36 38 40

Waist (Curvy) 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 32 34 36 39

Hip (Straight) 33 33 35 36 37 38 39 41 42 44 46 48

Hip (Curvy) 34 34 35 37 38 39 40 41 43 45 46 48

Misses sizes

5'5"5'9" (165175 cm) tall, average bust, average back

Dimension/size 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Bust 32-34 34 35 36 38 39 41

Waist 22-24 25 27 29 30 31 33

Hip 33-35 36 38 39 41 42 44

Back-waist length 14 14 15 16 16 16 16

[4]
 Miss petite sizes

5'1"5'3" (157.5160 cm) tall, average bust, shorter back

Dimension/size 4mp 6mp 8mp 10mp 12mp 14mp 16mp

Bust 32-34 34 35 36 37 39 40

Waist 21-23 24 26 27 29 30 32

Hip 34-35 36 38 39 41 42 44

Back-waist length 14 14 14 15 15 15 15

Junior sizes

5'4"5'5" (162.5165 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" (155160 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

Womens sizes

5'5"5'6" (165168 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 17 17 17 17 17 17 18
 Half-sizes

5'2"5'3" (157.5160 cm) tall, lower bust, shorter back

Dimension/size 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24

Bust 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47

Waist 27 29 31 33 35 37 40 42

Hip 35 37 39 41 43 45 48 50

Back-waist length 15 15 15 15 15 16 16 16

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 33 35 40

Waist 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Hip 27 28 29 31 32 34 35 37

Neckband 11 12 12 13 13 14 14 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 24

Height 31 34 37 40 43 46 48

Back-waist length 8 8 9 9 10 10 10

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 58 lb 812 lb 1216 lb 16-20 2024 lb 2427 lb 2730 lb

Height less than 21 in 2124 in 2426 in 2628 in 2830 in 3032 in 3234 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" (165168 cm) tall, average bust, average back

Dimension/size 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

Closest
10 12 14 16 18 20 22
standard size

5'4" 5'4" 5'4.5" 5'5" 5'4" 5'6.5" 5'6" 5'6" 5'6.5"

Est. height
(162.5 cm) (162.5 cm) (164 cm) (165 cm) (162.5 cm) (169 cm) (168 cm) (168 cm) (169 cm)

Est. weight lb 180 195

115 (52) 125 (57) 135 (61) 145 (66) 155 (70) 165 (75) 175 (79)
(kg) (81.5) (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
12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28
standard size

5' 1/2" 5'1" 5'1.5" 5'2" 5'2.5" 5'3" 5'3" 5'3.5" 5'4"
Est. height
(153 cm) (155 cm) (156 cm) (157.5 cm) (159 cm) (160 cm) (160 cm) (161 cm) (162.5 cm)

Est. weight lb 140 180 215 225 235

125 (57) 155 (70) 170 (77) 190 (86)
(kg) (63.5) (81.5) (97.5) (102) (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" (165169 cm) tall, average bust, average back

Dimension/size

Closest
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
standard size

5'5" 5'5.5" 5'6" 5'6" 5'6.5" 5'6.5" 5'6.5" 5'6.5" 5'6.5"

Est. height
(165 cm) (166 cm) (168 cm) (168 cm) (169 cm) (169 cm) (169 cm) (169 cm) (169 cm)

Est. weight lb 160 235

145 (66) 175 (79) 190 (86) 205 (93) 220 (100) 250 (113) 265 (120)
(kg) (72.5) (106.5)

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[5]
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 0020
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[2]
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
1. "A SHORT HISTORY OF U.S. WHITE WOMEN'S MEASUREMENTS USED FOR
PATTERNMAKING" (http://analogme.typepad.com/analog-me/2011/11/history-of-measurements.htmlw
 ebsite=Analog-Me). Analog-Me. Retrieved 2015-03-11.
2. "PS 42-70 Body measurement for the sizing of apparal" (http://gsi.nist.gov/global/docs/stds/womens-ps4
2-70.pdf) (PDF). Retrieved 2014-09-14.
3. "ASTM D5585 - 11e1: Standard Tables of Body Measurements for Adult Female Misses Figure Type,
Size Range 0020" (http://www.astm.org/Standards/D5585.htm). Astm.org. ASTM. Retrieved
2011-11-13.
4. Bob Johnstone. "Video Games Industry Infographics" (http://www.vhcc.edu/redirect.aspx?url=http://alldi
digames.com). ESRB Infographics. ESRB. Retrieved 2014-08-01.
5. "Standard Tables of Body Measurements for Adult Female Misses Figure Type, Size Range 0020" (htt
p://www.astm.org/Standards/D5585.htm). ASTM.org. ASTM. Retrieved 2014-09-14.

Felsenthal, Julia (25 January 2012). "A Size 2 Is a Size 2 Is a Size 8: Why clothing sizes make no
sense.". Slate.com.
Reader's Digest Editors (2002). New Complete Guide to Sewing. Reader's Digest. ISBN 978-0-7621-
0420-8. Provides a complete listing of the standard sizes.
Anthropometric Reference Data for Children and Adults: United States, 20072010 (PDF), U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, October 2012

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