Shopping abroad: Shoe size conversion and clothing size conversion

Who doesn’t love shopping on a vacation? However, it can be a bit confusing, especially when it comes to clothing size conversions when shopping abroad.  Your clothes must fit to feel good. You don’t want to be walking around with tight-fitting shoes or baggy clothes. It’s annoying when clothes don’t fit properly, and it’s even trickier when shopping in a foreign country where shoe and clothing size conversions can be confusing.

Shopping as you travel can offer excellent bargains as well as the chance to explore truly unique finds. But the experience can be overwhelming, and there are several different clothing size conversions, namely, European, American, Asian, and Australasian. But fret not, you do not have to be an expert in the size comparison chart. Some simple hacks and tips can help you shop abroad freely.

We can later debate the merits of using the Imperial versus Metric system, but this article will cover how to get the right size clothes when you shop abroad. In this article, we breakdown some easy techniques to get the most out of your shopping experience while abroad and easily convert your size accordingly.

Exploring clothing size conversion across different markets

Even within the different sizing systems, the actual clothing sizes still vary from country to country From European shoe size conversion to US size chart- there are many variations across markets. This is because fashion retailers primarily cater to the local population. For example, in Asian countries like Japan or the Philippines, clothing sizes generally run on the smaller side. So, don’t feel discouraged if you are choosing an XXL rather than your regular L. There have been attempts to standardize clothing size conversions.

Still, in the end, there are no international rules about how clothing brands size their items, so ultimately, it will even vary from retailer to retailer. In addition to using the international clothing size chart provided, it is generally advised to learn to eye-ball sizes.

To avoid awkward gymnastics in changing rooms, it is always a good idea to start by trying on the larger sizes, then working your way down. And don’t feel hesitant to take in three sizes at the same time once you find an item you like.

So, for example, if you are looking at women’s pants size chart, do not shy away from trying the larger sizes or the smallest ones based on what size patterns you observe. This can be much easier than running back and forth than asking for assistance and dealing with a language barrier in foreign countries when dealing with clothing size conversions. In our home country, we can be so used to going for our normal size we don’t learn to just look at clothing items and intuitively size them up. You can practice this technique at home by holding up items from your own wardrobe on their hangers and paying attention to their dimensions and shape.

How sizes work: Looking at the international clothing size chart

Let us talk about shoe size conversions

Not only do shoe sizes differ from country to country but also between women and men. For women, there is a difference between the U.S. and U.K. sizing system (the barleycorn measurement) which roughly equals 1/3 of an inch, where each size below 12 inches is taking off one barleycorn, or 1/3 inch.

The U.K. and the U.S. are the only two countries that use shoe size conversions using smaller numbers while the rest of the world uses the metric system to give the actual length in centimetres. In the U.K., shoe sizes run smaller than in the U.S., and if a woman wears a size eight, they will wear a size six in the U.K.

If you thought shoe size conversions for women were confusing, men have got it even worse. Shoes in the U.K. are a half-size smaller compared to the U.S. Add in Asian and European sizing charts, and you’ve got random half-sizes. Like women’s shoe size conversions, measurements can vary on several factors like where the shoes are manufactured and sold. At least with shoes being sold internationally, one can find sizes on the small tag on the inside of each shoe.

How clothing size conversion works

The U.K.’s clothing conversion charts can be a real head-scratcher for women shopping abroad. Compared to the U.S., everything is about a size or two bigger. A woman who fits in size 8 in the U.S., for instance, will need to look for size 10 in England. For countries like Germany, Portugal, Italy, France, Spain, and Scandinavia, the clothing size conversions are all based on waist measurements.

Men have it easier when shopping internationally. The main challenge comes down to the labelling between S, M, L, and XL. Some clothes fit better than others, and you may end up getting two sizes larger or smaller than anticipated. You’ll need to try on shirts to make sure that they fit.

Luckily, if you’re in the market for a new jacket, in the U.K. the sizing is the same as in the U.S. When it comes to men’s pants and trousers, these are physically measured starting at the waistline. Both the U.S. and U.K. use inches.

Size Comparison Charts

Women’s International Shoe Size Conversion Chart

Men’s International Shoe Size Conversion Chart

Kid’s International Shoe Size Conversion Chart

International Clothing Size Conversion Chart

Shopping abroad made easy with clothing size chart and shoe size chart

Although there are clothing and shoe size conversions to consider when shopping abroad, when you find that special one-of-a-kind article of clothing that fits just right, you’ll feel like a million bucks. Don’t let different measuring systems frustrate you. Advancements are being made in the area of clothes sizing that involve 3D scanning and collecting international sizing data to more precisely standardizing clothing sizes. But for now, when in doubt, use shoe and clothing size conversion charts or ask for help in the store.