Shopping has literally gone global. One of the most common issues online shoppers face is the difference in clothing and footwear sizes depending on the location. Chinese clothing brands have become trendsetters recently, and this sizing issue is a significant problem for them.
Understanding the sizing differences between Chinese clothing and footwear brands is essential to choosing the right-sized products through online purchasing. Especially if you are from the USA, finding an equal size from the Chinese clothing brands can be tiresome.
For clothing suppliers, also, equalizing the clothing size is important. Providing the correct size information is crucial if they are sourcing their products from places like China and are selling in countries like the USA.
Why is Size Translation Necessary?
Size translation is necessary as there are no universal sizing guidelines available. The sizing for clothes, footwear, etc., depends on the user’s location. There are various sizes like UK, US, Chinese, etc. There are many essential differences existing between these sizes, too.
You cannot possibly purchase the same size from all over the world, as they essentially differ. So, you have to find a size equal to your regional size whenever you try to buy from foreign pages or websites.
If you are a seller, you have to provide ample information on the region-based size variations available for your products. This will enable customers from almost all regions of the world be able to shop from your website.
Here are more reasons why size translation is essential for an online store owner.
- Size translation helps the store owners avoid potential sizing issues and returns. Usually, Asian sizes run smaller than their corresponding European sizes. If you have not provided this information along with the product, chances are high for the customer to purchase the wrong size. This can result in a return of the product, which would cause unwanted fuss for the store owner.
- Getting the products right the first time can help you avoid spending too much money on the return and refunding process. It can also help prevent a great deal of complaints from the customers.
- Delivering products of the correct size can help your business grow. It can yield positive customer reviews, leading to a good reputation for your brand online. Wrong sizing and unhappy customers can also lead to your brand’s downfall.
Popular Region-Based Sizing Charts
Many countries use the same sizing chart for clothing and footwear. There are also countries like India that use an exclusive size chart for them. Here is some information about the various popular sizing charts throughout the world.
- Countries like Australia and New Zealand use the UK sizing chart.
- Several other European countries, like Portugal, Spain, and Belgium, use French sizes.
- Italians also use a similar sizing chart as that of the French one.
- Countries like Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Austria widely use German sizes.
- India has an exclusive sizing chart.
Chinese Size
Chinese clothing and footwear brands follow specific sizing guidelines that are much different from the rest of the world. They usually represent their top-wear sizes in dual numbers.
These two numbers indicate the height and the chest circumference of the user. These measurements are measured in centimeters.
For example, the US size XS is represented in the Chinese size chart as 160/84-87. The 160 means 160 centimeters in height, and the 84-87 indicates the chest size in centimeters.
The bottom wear section in China does not use dual number sizing. They are represented as XS, S, M, etc.
In the children’s clothes section, some unique differences are available for the Chinese. They measure the children’s sizes in two different ways.
- Based on the age of the child.
- Based on the height of the child in centimeters.
In the age category, sizes are available from 1 year to 15 years. In the height category, sizes range from 73 cm to 155 cm.
The Chinese maintain a different sizing chart for clothes to be exported to other countries. They use a sizing chart that contains sizes like XS, S, M, etc. These sizes are called Alpha sizes in China. But they are in no way similar to the other global sizes.
Chinese sizes always run smaller than the international sizes. The M size in a Chinese clothing brand would usually only fit an S-sized person in the USA or other foreign countries.
Chinese Size Chart Translation
Chinese size chart is usually translated based on the US size. Although these sizes run highly different, referring to the US size helps all international customers understand the Chinese size better. Usually, Chinese clothing and footwear sizes run much smaller than the US size.
Here are some of the differences that the Chinese sizes have with those of the US ones.
1. Sizing System
As mentioned before, the Chinese sizing system mainly features two numbers. The US sizing system uses various alphabets to denote the sizes. Also, the Chinese system measures the size based on the users’ bust size, weight, and height.
However, the US system uses the general body size of the user. Also, the Chinese system indicates the measurements in centimeters. But the US system measures everything in inches.
2. Size Comparison
When compared, it is obvious that the Chinese sizes run much smaller than the US. In fact, Chinese sizes run smaller than most of their counterparts.
So, if you are a US-size medium and purchase a Chinese-size medium, it is likely that you end up with a product with US size small. Clothing experts advise US shoppers to buy at least two to three sizes higher than their US size whenever they order from Chinese websites.
3. Women’s Clothing
The women’s clothing from China and the US differ very much as the body types and proportions of the women from each country are different. Chinese women’s clothes are usually available with a tight waist and hips. They prefer to keep the waist portion fitted.
But for the clothes in the US, the women prefer overall form-fitted clothes. They usually don’t prefer the clothes to be form-fitted in only specific areas. So, when you purchase from Chinese websites, the sizing will be in such a way as to highlight the hip area.
4. Men’s Clothing
Men’s clothing in China and the US are different not only in the sizing but also in the fit. Chinese men prefer boxy fits. So, the Chinese men’s clothing brand usually createsloose-fit clothes.
But in the US, men prefer well-tailored clothes. So, the US men’s size chart primarily considers the chest size and height of the user. However, the Chinese size chart considers the user’s weight and height.
Chinese Size to US Clothing
Chinese Women Top Wear
1. US Size XS
- Chinese Alpha Size: S
- Chinese Size: 160-165/ 84-86
- Chest in Inches: 33
- Height in feet and inches: 5’3”
2. US Size S
- Chinese Alpha Size: M
- Chinese Size: 165-170/ 88-90
- Chest in Inches: 34
- Height in feet and inches: 5’5”
3. US Size M
- Chinese Alpha Size: L
- Chinese Size: 167-172/ 92-96
- Chest in Inches: 36
- Height in feet and inches: 5’6”
4. US Size L
- Chinese Alpha Size: XL
- Chinese Size: 169-173/ 98-102
- Chest in Inches: 38
- Height in feet and inches: 5’7”
5. US Size XL
- Chinese Alpha Size: XXL
- Chinese Size: 172-176/ 106-110
- Chest in Inches: 40
- Height in feet and inches: 5’8”
Chinese Women Bottom Wear
1. US Size XXS
- Chinese Alpha Size: XS
- Chinese Pant Size: 32
- US W/L Size: 25/ 30
2. US Size XS
- Chinese Alpha Size: S
- Chinese Pant Size: 34
- US W/L Size: 26/ 30
3. US Size S
- Chinese Alpha Size: M
- Chinese Pant Size: 36
- US W/L Size: 28/ 31
4. US Size M
- Chinese Alpha Size: L
- Chinese Pant Size: 38
- US W/L Size: 30/ 31
5. US Size L
- Chinese Alpha Size: XL
- Chinese Pant Size: 40
- US W/L Size: 32/ 32
6. US Size XL
- Chinese Alpha Size: XXL
- Chinese Pant Size: 42
- US W/L Size: 34/ 32
Chinese Men Top Wear
1. US Size XS
- Chinese Alpha Size: S
- Chinese Size: 160/ 84-87
- Chest Size in Inches: 34
2. US Size S
- Chinese Alpha Size: M
- Chinese Size: 165/ 88-90
- Chest Size in Inches: 37
3. US Size M
- Chinese Alpha Size: L
- Chinese Size: 170/ 96-98
- Chest Size in Inches: 39
4. US Size L
- Chinese Alpha Size: XL
- Chinese Size: 175/ 101-104
- Chest Size in Inches: 41
5. US Size XL
- Chinese Alpha Size: XXL
- Chinese Size: 180/ 106-109
- Chest Size in Inches: 43
6. US Size XXL
- Chinese Alpha Size: XXXL
- Chinese Size: 185/ 111-130
- Chest Size in Inches: 45
Chinese Men Bottom Wear
In some of the following sections, some US sizes may repeat. This is because of the fact that Chinese men’s bottom wear have more sizes than those of the US ones.
1. US Size XS
- Chinese Size: 40
- Waist in Inches: 28
- Inseam Length in Inches: 30
2. US Size XS
- Chinese Size: 42
- Waist in Inches: 29
- Inseam Length in Inches: 30
3. US Size S
- Chinese Size: 44
- Waist in Inches: 30
- Inseam Length in Inches: 32
4. US Size S
- Chinese Size: 46
- Waist in Inches: 32
- Inseam Length in Inches: 32
5. US Size M
- Chinese Size: 48
- Waist in Inches: 33
- Inseam Length in Inches: 32
6. US Size M
- Chinese Size: 50
- Waist in Inches: 34
- Inseam Length in Inches: 32
7. US Size L
- Chinese Size: 52
- Waist in Inches: 36
- Inseam Length in Inches: 34
8. US Size L
- Chinese Size: 54
- Waist in Inches: 38
- Inseam Length in Inches: 34
9. US Size XL
- Chinese Size: 56
- Waist in Inches: 40
- Inseam Length in Inches: 34
Chinese Children Sizes
1. US Size 1Y
- Chinese Size in Years: 1Y – 2Y
- Chinese Size in Height (Centimeters): 73 – 80
2. US Size 2Y
- Chinese Size in Years: 2Y – 3Y
- Chinese Size in Height (Centimeters): 75 – 85
3. US Size 3Y
- Chinese Size in Years: 3Y – 4Y
- Chinese Size in Height (Centimeters): 85 – 95
4. US Size 4Y
- Chinese Size in Years: 4Y – 5Y
- Chinese Size in Height (Centimeters): 95 – 105
5. US Size 5Y
- Chinese Size in Years: 6Y – 7Y
- Chinese Size in Height (Centimeters): 105 – 115
6. US Size 6Y – 7Y
- Chinese Size in Years: 8Y – 9Y
- Chinese Size in Height (Centimeters): 115 – 125
7. US Size 8Y- 9Y
- Chinese Size in Years: 10Y – 11Y
- Chinese Size in Height (Centimeters): 125 – 135
8. US Size 10Y – 11Y
- Chinese Size in Years: 12Y – 13Y
- Chinese Size in Height (Centimeters): 135 – 145
9. US Size 12Y
- Chinese Size in Years: 14Y – 15Y
- Chinese Size in Height (Centimeters): 145 – 155
Chinese Shoe Size Chart
Chinese Men’s Shoe Size Chart
- US Size 6.0: Chinese Size 38
- US Size 6.5: Chinese Size 39
- US Size 7.0: Chinese Size 40
- US Size 7.5: Chinese Size 40.5
- US Size 8.0: Chinese Size 41
- US Size 8.5: Chinese Size 42
- US Size 9.0: Chinese Size 43
- US Size 9.5: Chinese Size 43.5
- US Size 10.0: Chinese Size 44
- US Size 10.5: Chinese Size 44.5
- US Size 11.0: Chinese Size 45
- US Size 11.5: Chinese Size 46
- US Size 12.0: Chinese Size 47
- US Size 12.5: Chinese Size 47.5
- US Size 13.0: Chinese Size 48
Chinese Women’s Shoe Size Chart
- US Size 5.0: Chinese Size 35.5
- US Size 5.5: Chinese Size 36
- US Size 6.0: Chinese Size 36.5
- US Size 6.5: Chinese Size 37
- US Size 7.0: Chinese Size 38
- US Size 7.5: Chinese Size 38.5
- US Size 8.0: Chinese Size 39
- US Size 8.5: Chinese Size 40
- US Size 9.0: Chinese Size 40.5
- US Size 9.5: Chinese Size 41
- US Size 10.0: Chinese Size 42
- US Size 10.5: Chinese Size 42.5
- US Size 11.0: Chinese Size 43
- US Size 11.5: Chinese Size 44
- US Size 12.0: Chinese Size44.5
Chinese Children’s Shoe Size Chart
- US Size 1.0: Chinese Size 32
- US Size 1.5: Chinese Size 33
- US Size 2.0: Chinese Size 33.5
- US Size 2.5: Chinese Size 34
- US Size 3.0: Chinese Size 35
- US Size 3.5: Chinese Size 36
- US Size 4.0: Chinese Size 36.5
- US Size 4.5: Chinese Size 37
- US Size 5.0: Chinese Size 38
- US Size 5.5: Chinese Size 39
- US Size 6.0: Chinese Size 39.5
Taobao Size Chart
Taobao is a popular Chinese online store where all kinds of goods, from clothing to books, are available. The low prices and vast choices are the two primary reasons for the popularity of Taobao.
In the apparel category of Taobao, there are clothes suitable for men, women, and children. They use the Chinese sizing system to measure their clothes. However, the platform has provided a concise Taobao size chart in each clothing category.
The Taobao size chart contains the Chinese size, height in cm, height in feet, weight in kg, and weight in pounds. These charts are available in every apparel category of Taobao, from shirts to skirts.
Conclusion
Providing concise size charts with all the necessary information will help customers find the online shopping experience much more effortless. In the current global scenario, shopping worldwide should be easy enough. And shopping size translation charts are a crucial part of the future of shopping.
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