US standard clothing sizes were developed from
statistical data in the 1940s-1950s. They were similar in concept to the EN
13402 European clothing size standard.
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.
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. In
addition, dramatic variances in bust and waistline combinations make for
interesting experiences for online shoppers.
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
Catalogs have departed from the US standard sizes since approximately the
1980s. Companies now 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" (165–168 cm) tall, average bust, average back
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 standard
size
12½
14½
16½
18½
20½
22½
24½
26½
28½
Est. height
5' 1/2" (153 cm)
5'1" (155 cm)
5'1.5" (156 cm)
5'2" (157.5 cm)
5'2.5" (159 cm)
5'3" (160 cm)
5'3" (160 cm)
5'3.5" (161 cm)
5'4" (162.5 cm)
Est. weight lb
(kg)
125 (57)
140 (63.5)
155 (70)
170 (77)
180 (81.5)
190 (86)
215 (97.5)
225 (102)
235 (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" (165–169 cm) tall, average bust, average
back
Dimension/size
Closest standard
size
34
36
38
40
42
44
46
48
50
Est. height
5'5" (165 cm)
5'5.5" (166 cm)
5'6" (168 cm)
5'6" (168 cm)
5'6.5" (169 cm)
5'6.5" (169 cm)
5'6.5" (169 cm)
5'6.5" (169 cm)
5'6.5" (169 cm)
Est. weight lb
(kg)
145 (66)
160 (72.5)
175 (79)
190 (86)
205 (93)
220 (100)
235 (106.5)
250 (113)
265 (120)
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 at about 5'4" (163 cm),
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.
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