Translating Womens' Clothing Sizes

[LTB]

I have recklessly decided to take the dangerous but rewarding risk of surprising my lady with something nice to wear... Now, if I can get some input on how to choose the right sizes...

Her (Russian) shoe size is 38 or 39 and her dress size is 44 or 46. What would the American equivalents look like?

Thanks!
Lance

[SteveM]

... in response to Translating Womens' Clothing Sizes, posted by LTB on Nov 7, 2001

For those of you with wives/fiancees outside of the ranges already posted, here is a complete table:

http://www.iie.org/fulbright/fpa/ori/ori6.htm

Happy shopping,

Steve M.

[Quasimoto]

... in response to Translating Womens' Clothing Sizes, posted by LTB on Nov 7, 2001

American
             European

Small    6/40   8/42  

Medium  10/44   12/46

You might be better to find out what her measurements are, and then add inches to her proportions according to the intended use. Casual clothes fit looser, evening wear, usually tighter. For example, my girlfriend wears a 40-42 in casual clothes, and usually a 36-38 in evening wear. Your ladies hips are probably about 37 or 38 inches. So non stretch fabrics should fit about 2-3 inches larger than her hip measurement. If you have seen her, and know that she wears form fitting clothes, and if you can find out her measurements (they will all tell you), then you can go to Victoria's Secrets website and look at their size chart. Just look under CLOTHES - DRESSES - click on a specific dress, and then hit the size chart link. There clothes have a tendency to be more athletic cut and form fitting. You can then get the truest picture of a size 8 or 10 or whatever.

One problem you have buying some American, especially cheaper brands, is that American women have a tendency to have bigger waists, so the dress may need altered before use. 24-26inch waists are common over there, but even a woman with 36 inch hips here will have a tendency to have a waist size about 3-4 inches bigger.

Women's Shoes
 
American/European  
 6/37.5
 6.5/38  
 7/39  
 7.5/39.5
 8/40  

Personally I think it is a real catch 22. First the shoes there are terribly expensive. If you do buy there, try to find a shoe store that carries British shoes, not just Italian. There isn't that much difference in quality. But you can spend $100-300 there on Italian shoes, and $20-30 on British shoes. However, if you buy here, you also have fit in width and comfort issues. I really think you should put off the shoe thing until you get there, as they are really picky about shoes.

[Lynn]

... in response to Translating Womens' Clothing Sizes, posted by LTB on Nov 7, 2001

Women's Shoes: 6=36, 7=37, 8=38, 9=40

Women's Suits and Dresses: 8=36, 10=38, 12=40, 14=42, 16=44, 18=46

Women's stockings: 8=0, 8.5=1, 9=2, 9.5=3, 10=4, 10.5=5

[GeorgiaGal]

... in response to Re: Translating Womens' Clothing Sizes, posted by Lynn on Nov 7, 2001

Lynn, these numbers provided by you are correct for translating American sizes into Western European ones. There are also "Soviet" sizes which are different even from Western European ones. Some people in FSU still use the "Soviet" system.

I remember all of us gilrs back there had a problem when Western European clothes became available in the FSU, we would almost end up getting something several sizes larger

OK, here is the size translation from WE to "Soviet":

WE   Soviet
36 = 42
38 = 44
40 = 46
42 = 48
44 = 50

Hope this helps. I think you need to ask your fiancee whether she meant WE sizing chart of "Soviet". But still the absolute best would be to get her measurements and translate them into inches, as Quasimoto said. The main reason for this is that size 8 of Victoria's Secret is not quite equal to size 8 of Jones New York, for example.

Also, how tall is she? This is very important too. Standard height for "department store" sizes is about 5'7. If she is above 5'9 you definitely need something in "tall" sizes, if below 5'5 - petite sizes. This doesn't apply to underwear, of course.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

[Quasimoto]

... in response to Be careful with sizes!!!, posted by GeorgiaGal on Nov 7, 2001

Excellent GeorgiaGal. I couldn't figure out why Tatyana said she wore a 42/44 when her measurements say a 36-38 WE. Now I know! Yours has been the most helpful post I have found on this topic.

Steve

[wsbill]

... in response to Translating Womens' Clothing Sizes, posted by LTB on Nov 7, 2001

calibrate ourselfs to it.

[William]

... in response to Re: Somebody post a scale so we can all, posted by wsbill on Nov 7, 2001

Try this site.  
http://www.sears.ca/e/info/sizew.htm#sizing