General Sizes for Blouses, Shirts, Dresses and Jackets
B = Bust:
Measure around your body, under your arms and over the fullest part of your bust.
W = Waist:
Hold measuring tape at your natural waistline.
H = Hips:
Measure around the fullest part of your body, placing the tape about midway between your crotch and belly button.
I = Inseam:
Take a pair of pants that fit you well and lay them flat. Measure the distance along the inseam between the crotch and the leg hem. This measurement is independent of size as it varies greatly between people. It is used for pants only.
If you don't have a measuring tape, you can use a piece of string and a ruler. When measuring, remember to keep the tape comfortably loose.
WARNING: Size conversion here has been checked accurate for many clothing products and checked with various sizing sources. However, it should be noted that conversion tables do vary, and some online conversion sources vary significantly from the standard. You should always try on clothing prior to purchase. Sizes will vary between brands and styles, and thus should not be taken for granted; there is little consistency between manufacturers. Average body size in regions also varies, Asian sizes are often a label size or two smaller in the USA (M > S).
Brassiere Sizes
Sizes for gloves, socks, and stockings are the same in both the US and Europe. Sock sizes correspond to the length of your foot.
Women's hat sizes measure the circumference directly.
