Frequently asked questions
Why are US sizes different from EU sizes?
The US and Europe developed separate sizing standards independently. US women's sizes use a number scale (0, 2, 4, 6…) based on measurements from a 1940s Army study. EU sizes use a centimetre-based system. Neither is inherently more accurate — both are approximations that vary by brand.
What is vanity sizing?
Over the past 50 years, clothing brands have gradually made the same physical garment larger while keeping the size label smaller, so that customers feel good about wearing a "smaller" size. A US women's size 8 in 2024 is physically larger than a size 8 in 1970. This makes vintage size charts unreliable.
Why do some brands run XS–XXL instead of numbered sizes?
Letter sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL) are less specific and easier to produce in a smaller range of cuts. Many casual and activewear brands use letters; formalwear, jeans and tailored clothing tend to use numbered sizes. Online shopping across borders makes the confusion worse since brands interpret letter sizes differently.