Clothing Sizes (are wacko!)
We started a project aimed at helping you pick the right sizes. Unfortunately, our research showed that it's hard to find two people in the clothing industry that agree on anything. Every manufacturer has differently sized patterns and a different understanding of what the size numbers and letters mean. Really crazy!
After lurking in department stores and pattern departments we realized it wasn't our imagination, or just the vendors we deal with. In any case, what we show below are what we decided to be "normal" or average representations of sizes in general based on weights and measurements of the average medians (got that?). Use it as kind of a guide or starting point, just remember that we get blanks from all over, and the vendors don't necessarily conform to the charts below. Also, "normal" sized stuff shrinks if not pre-shrunk so you have to allow for the shrinkage when ordering. A very few vendors "cut oversize to allow for shrinkage". This means that after shrinkage, they should fall into the appropriate size ranges, depending on that vendor's interpretation. We mark those items with a "cut oversized" icon. When we realized, though, how much variation there was, we decided to measure everything we carry, before shrinkage, and you will see those measurements on all of our clothing - use that when you need to have a more specific fit, and don't forget to allow for shrinkage!
That's the deal. Confused? Join the club. Anyway, we hope it helps.
I WONDER HOW MUCH IT SHRINKS?
Cotton shrinks! This fact is reported to have been discovered by the ancient Egyptians and has been confirmed by countless distraught women through the ages. You can figure about 3-5% in width and 8-12% in length depending on the type, weight & knit. Sharp changes in temperature cause more shrinkage than gradual changes. High agitation washing machines cause more shrinkage than gentle hand washing. Preshrunk goods shrink less, but still shrink. "Compacted Cotton" has been scrunched up between rollers so that there is built in extra length in the fibers so it seems to shrink less. Some big name T-shirt manufacturers call their T-shirts pre-shrunk, but they are actually only compacted, and have never been washed.
Allow for the shrinkage! In some garments, this means buying a size larger. If the item is "cut oversize to allow for shrinkage" then it will be big at first, and then shrink down to the size on the label. In the end, we have to leave it you to judge the right size to buy.
| JUNIOR WOMEN'S SIZES: | ||||
| Junior sizes run a size smaller than Missy or Ladies, are cut closer fitting and are cut shorter to fall at or above the waist for tops and at or below the waist for bottoms. Adults buying Jr. sizes should buy one size larger than usual. | ||||
| Size: | Chest: | Waist: | Hips: | |
| Small | 3-5 | 32-33" | 24-25" | 34-35" |
| Medium | 7-9 | 34-35" | 26-27" | 36-37" |
| Large | 11-13 | 36-37" | 28-29" | 38-39" |
| WOMEN'S SIZES: | ||||
| Size: | Chest: | Waist: | Hips: | |
| Small | 4-6 | 34-35" | 25-26" | 35-36" |
| Medium | 8-10 | 36-37" | 27-28" | 37-38" |
| Large | 12-14 | 38-39" | 29-30" | 39-41" |
| XLarge | 16-18 | 41-43" | 32-34" | 42-44" |
| 2XLarge | 18-20 | 43-45" | 34-36" | 44-46" |
| T-SHIRT SIZES | |
| (Men's or Unisex Sizes) | |
| Size: | Chest: |
| Small: | 34-36" |
| Medium: | 38-40" |
| Large: | 42-44" |
| XLarge: | 46-48" |
| 2XLarge: | 50-52" |
| 3XLarge: | 54-56" |
| SHORTS & PANTS | |
| (Unisex Sizes) | |
| Size: | Waist: |
| Small: | 28-30" |
| Medium: | 32-34" |
| Large: | 36-39" |
| XLarge: | 40-44" |
| INFANT SIZES | |||
| Size: | Pounds: | Length: | |
| XSmall | Newborn-3 mo. | 0-12 lbs. | to 24" |
| Small | 6 months | 13-17 lbs. | 25-26" |
| Medium | 12 months | 18-22 lbs. | 27-29" |
| Large | 18 months | 23-26 lbs. | 30-32" |
| XLarge | 24 months | 27-30 lbs. | 33-37" |
| TODDLER SIZES | |||
| (Sizes Correspond To Age) | |||
| Size: | Pounds: | Height: | Chest: |
| 2T | 25-33 | 33-37" | 21" |
| 4T | 34-38 | 37-42" | 23" |
| CHILDREN AND YOUTH SIZES | ||||
| (Sizes Roughly Correspond To Age) | ||||
| Size: | Height: | Chest: | Waist: | |
| 6 | 42-46" | 24-25" | 22" | |
| 8 | 50-52" | 27" | 23" | |
| 10 | 53-56" | 28-29" | 24" | |
| 12 | 56-59" | 30" | 25" | |
| 14 | 60-62" | 31-32" | 26" | |
| 16 | 63-64" | 33" | 27" | |
| XSmall | 2-4 | 35-41" | 21-23" | 20-21" |
| Small | 6-8 | 46-52" | 24-27" | 22-23" |
| Medium | 8-10 | 50-56" | 27-29" | 23-24" |
| Large | 10-12 | 53-59" | 29-30" | 24-25" |
| XLarge | 14-16 | 60-64" | 31-33" | 26-27" |
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Greetings, fellow fashion enthusiasts! As someone deeply immersed in the intricate world of clothing sizes, I can empathize with the perplexities outlined in the article. Over the years, my expertise has been honed through hands-on experiences, from scrutinizing patterns in department stores to delving into the nuances of garment manufacturing. Allow me to shed light on the concepts interwoven in the discourse on clothing sizes.
First and foremost, the article aptly highlights the chaotic nature of sizing standards in the clothing industry. Manufacturers, it seems, revel in their uniqueness, with each brand boasting differently sized patterns and interpretations of size numbers and letters. This divergence in understanding is indeed perplexing, as affirmed by the meticulous research conducted.
The provided size charts, categorized into Junior Women's Sizes, Women's Sizes, T-Shirt Sizes (Men's or Unisex), Shorts & Pants (Unisex), Infant Sizes, Toddler Sizes, and Children and Youth Sizes, offer a semblance of order in this sartorial chaos. These charts provide a guide or starting point based on average medians, making them valuable references for anyone navigating the labyrinth of clothing sizes.
The article also wisely advises caution in assuming these charts as gospel truth, acknowledging the variability introduced by garment vendors. A key insight is the acknowledgment of the potential for shrinkage in clothing, especially in cotton garments. The ancient Egyptian wisdom, coupled with the modern revelation that sharp temperature changes and high-agitation washing machines exacerbate shrinkage, underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of fabric behavior.
Furthermore, the distinction between pre-shrunk and "compacted cotton" adds a layer of complexity. It's crucial for consumers to discern the difference, as garments labeled as pre-shrunk may, in reality, only be compacted, affecting the final fit after washing.
The article also introduces the concept of garments "cut oversize to allow for shrinkage." This implies that certain items may initially appear larger but are designed to shrink down to the labeled size after washing. This acknowledgment of variability and the inclusion of a "cut oversized" icon provide valuable information for consumers to make informed choices.
In essence, the article invites readers to embrace a degree of confusion, humorously suggesting they join the club. It underscores the importance of personal judgment in determining the right size to buy, considering factors like shrinkage and vendor-specific interpretations.
In conclusion, as a seasoned connoisseur of clothing intricacies, I assure you that navigating the enigma of clothing sizes requires a blend of art and science. The provided information serves as a compass, guiding you through the maze of sizes, shrinkage considerations, and vendor idiosyncrasies. Happy sizing!
