Sizes of clothing

Many similar, yet slightly different clothing sizes are used throughout Europe, so it is important to try a garment on before purchasing, rather than relying on the size written on the label. For instance, a women's size 14 in Australia and Great Britain (size 12 in North America) corresponds to a size 40 in Germany, but also a size 42 in Belgium and France, a size 44 in Spain and a size 46 in Italy. Not only do you have to know your clothing size, but also the sizing system in the country the garment originates from. So BE VERY CAREFUL and try before you buy!!

Women's clothing
For women's clothing, regardles of the sizing system, sizes go in increments of 2.
Germany  34 36 38 40 42 44
UK  8 10 12 14 16 18
France  36 38 40 42 44 46
US  6 8 10 12 14 16
Italy  46 48 50 52 54 56
Australia 8 10 12 14 16 18

Lingerie
Lingerie has a completely different sizing system. At least the cup sizes are consistent!
Germany  70A 75B 80C 85D 
UK  32A 34B 36C 40D
France  85A 90B 95C 100D
US  32A 34B 36C 40D
Italy  70A 75B 80C 85D
Australia 10A 12B 14C 16D

Men's clothing
Surprisingly, men's clothing has more size variations than women's clothing! Underwear has a different sizing system to trousers, and business shirts have a different sizing system to casual shirts! Of course, the sizing system is not consistent within Europe, so be careful when you shop in other countries!

Underwear
Germany  34or3 36or4 38or5 40or6 42or7 44or8
Italy/France 1 2 3 4 5 6
USA  XS S M L XL XXL

Trousers
Trousers come in a range of sizes from 24 to 110.
Sizes 24, 25, 26, 27, 28.
Sizes 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60.
Sizes 90, 94, 98, 102, 106, 110.

Casual shirts
Germany  48 50 52 54 56 58
France  2 3 4 5 6 7
Italy  46 48 50 52 54 56
"International" XS S M L XL XXL

Business shirts
Business shirts have two sizing systems, which relate to neck size.
38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 (sizes above 45 are "oversized")
15 15&1/2 15&3/4 16 16&1/2 17 17&1/2 17&3/4

Children's clothing
The same sizing system is used for boys and girls where the size relates roughly to the child's age according to the following:
Size  92  98   104  116  122
Age 15-18 months 18 months - 2 years 3-4 years 5-6 years 7 years

Size  128 134 140 146 152 158 164 170 176
Age (years) 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Babies' clothing
For general items of clothing, the sizing system is as follows:
Size  56 62 68 74 80 86 92
Age (months) 0-2 2-4 4-6 6-8 8-12 12-15 15-18

For hats (remember it gets very cold in winter and babies lose a lot of heat through their heads!):
Size 47 49 51 53 55
Age 7-9m 9-12m 1-3y 3-6y 6-9y

For babies' socks, the following sizes apply:
Size  14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18
Age(months) 0-2 2-4 4-6 6-9

See 'Shoes' for an explanation of sock sizes for older humans.