Are UK clothes sizes getting smaller? (2023)

Are UK clothes sizes getting smaller?

In the last decade, while the UK population has only gotten bigger, an average size 8 has shrunk by two inches, writes Georgia Aspinall.

Some stores will consider a medium to be a size 10, while others a size 12-14. As an average, a Medium is likely to be a around a size 12.

UK shoe sizes are typically one size smaller than their US counterparts. So to find a US equivalent to your regular UK shoe size, you would need to go one size up.

As you can see in the chart below, the US size is 2 sizes smaller than the UK size. For example, if you need a US women's size 12, you would need to order a UK women's size 16. For a US women's size 18, this would be a UK women's size 22. Simple, right?

Tips When Buying in UK Sizes

If you are a woman go for higher size than your US size when buying clothes. If you are a US 4, in UK size, you will be a UK 8. If you are a man, go for the same size when buying clothes. For example, a size US 30-32 is the same as a UK 30-32.

US 8 - either UK 10 (Waist 27”/28" and Bust 35”/36") or UK 12 (Waist 29”/30" and Bust 37”/38") US 10 - either UK 12 (Waist 29”/30" and Bust 37”/38") or UK 14 (Waist 31”/32" and Bust 39”/40") US 12 - approximately UK 14 (Waist 31”/32" and Bust 39”/40")

UK shoe sizes are actually surprisingly close to US shoe sizes, and usually, the size difference for men is only about 0.5 size and for women 2 sizes. Hence, a US women's shoe size 9, corresponds to a UK size 7 and a US men's shoe size 10.5 to a UK men's shoe size 10.

The average woman's dress size in the UK is a 16 but in the fashion industry if you're over a size 10 you may be described as a "plus-size" model.

European clothing tends to fit approximately 1 to 2 sizes smaller than their corresponding American size.

How big is 2XL UK?

An Asos spokesperson said the size XL in some of its third-party brands had equivalent measurements to a size 14 on its own sizing chart. The same guide dubiously labelled a size 12 as large, when the average UK woman is two sizes bigger, at a size 16.

Of the 5,000 women surveyed (although no word on how it was carried out, or if they were readers of the magazine), 97% said a Size 12 was “fat”. Moreover, six out of 10 think that Size Zero (or a UK Size 4) is sexy. If you thought it couldn't get any worse, you're wrong.

However, at the time of publishing, a size 10 was listed as 'medium' and a size 12 as 'large'.

As it turns out, UK shirt sizes are identical to US shirt sizes.

The average UK women's size is actually a size 16, despite what clothing retailers and the media will lead you to believe. So, why is the average size considered a niche on social media; another social media sub section?

yes, size 10 is slim. especially as you are 5'8". size 12 would be slim, too, on someone your height.

What are UK sizes in US?

If majority rules, a size 10 has a 36″ bust, 28″ waist and a 40″ hip. She's five foot five or six inches tall and weighs 140 pounds.