Women’s size chart: converting clothing and shoe sizes
What is a Dutch size 38 in Belgium, France, Italy, the UK or the US? Use this size chart to convert women’s clothing and shoe sizes.
In short
- The Netherlands and Germany use the same clothing sizes.
- Belgium and France add 2: a Dutch 38 is a Belgian or French 40.
- Italian sizes are 6 higher: a Dutch 38 is an Italian 44.
- UK and US sizes vary by brand. So with second-hand clothing, always compare the centimetres.
A 38 in the Netherlands isn’t a 38 in France, Italy or the UK. And with second-hand clothing, you’ll come across labels from all sorts of countries. Use this size chart to convert women’s clothing and shoe sizes. Bear in mind that it’s only a guide: sizes also vary by brand.
Women’s clothing size chart
| NL / DE | BE / FR | IT | UK | US | At GSYL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 36 | 40 | 6–8 | 2–4 | 34/XS |
| 36 | 38 | 42 | 8–10 | 4–6 | 36/S |
| 38 | 40 | 44 | 10–12 | 6–8 | 38/M |
| 40 | 42 | 46 | 12–14 | 8–10 | 40/L |
| 42 | 44 | 48 | 14–16 | 10–12 | 42/XL |
| 44 | 46 | 50 | 16–18 | 12–14 | 44/XXL |
| 46 | 48 | 52 | 18–20 | 14–16 | 46/3XL |
| 48 | 50 | 54 | 20–22 | 16–18 | 48/4XL |
How to read the chart
- The Netherlands and Germany use the same sizes.
- Belgium and France use French sizes, which are 2 higher. A Dutch 36 is a 38 in Belgium.
- Italy adds 6: a Dutch 38 is an Italian 44.
- The United Kingdom: a Dutch 38 is usually a UK 10 or 12. US sizes are another 4 lower than UK sizes.
Letter sizes: S, M and L
Letter sizes aren’t standardised. One brand links M to a Dutch 36, another to a 40 or 42. That’s why at GSYL the size is always shown as both a number and a letter, for example 38/M, and we measure every garment flat, so you can compare the centimetres too.
Women’s shoe size chart
| EU | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | 3 | 5 |
| 36 | 4 | 6 |
| 37 | 4.5 | 6.5 |
| 38 | 5.5 | 7.5 |
| 39 | 6 | 8 |
| 40 | 7 | 9 |
| 41 | 7.5 | 9.5 |
| 42 | 8.5 | 10.5 |
Is there a European sizing standard?
Yes. The European standard EN 13402 describes clothing sizes in terms of body measurements in centimetres, such as bust, waist and hip circumference, with a pictogram on the label. Using such a standard is voluntary, and many brands stick to their own sizing. That’s why two garments with the same size label often still fit differently.
Why centimetres are more reliable
A size chart gets you started, but it says nothing about the fit of one particular garment. With second-hand clothing, there’s the added factor that older pieces often come up smaller. So compare the measurements with a garment that fits you well. You can read how that works in finding your size: how to measure yourself and your clothes.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Dutch size 38 in France?
A Dutch size 38 is usually a 40 in France and Belgium.
Is a Belgian size the same as a Dutch size?
No. Belgium usually uses French sizes, which are 2 higher: a Dutch 36 is a Belgian 38.
What Dutch size is a UK 10?
A UK 10 usually corresponds to a Dutch 36 or 38; it varies by brand. If in doubt, compare the centimetres.
What size is M?
That varies by brand: M can correspond to a Dutch 36, 38 or even 40 or 42. At GSYL, M goes with size 38.
What UK size is a size 38 shoe?
An EU 38 is usually a UK 5.5 and a US 7.5. Shoe sizes do vary by brand: some brands are half a size off.
Sources
- Kledingmaat (opens in a new tab), Wikipedia
- Normale maten: maattabel (opens in a new tab), Goldner Fashion
- UK, US and EU clothing size guide (opens in a new tab), Foot Locker UK
- Maattabel dames (opens in a new tab), HEMA
- Maattabel dames (opens in a new tab), JBC
- Schuhgrößentabelle (opens in a new tab), BAUR
- NF EN 13402-3: Size designation of clothes, part 3: body measurements and intervals (opens in a new tab), AFNOR (2017)
Find your size in the shop
Filter the shop by your size and compare the centimetres for every garment.