ungendering fashion
Many of our readers want to know what the tag sizes mean on “boys” and “menswear” clothing (in other words, size conversions.) This is a bit tricky to answer, because brands differ in their fit. The Art of Manliness fashion blog states, “Remember that every brand has a different set of models they use to design their clothing’s sizes, so a medium in one brand does not mean you’ll have the same fit in another.” Esquire Magazine’s article “Are Your Pants Lying to You: An Investigation” reveals the size disparities between popular brands. I’ve had personal experience with this when trying on clothing from various “womenswear” departments. I’m a size 4 in one brand and a size 6 in others. I even own a few pair of size 2 pants from brands that engage in “vanity sizing.” The same holds true for shoes.
To give you a ballpark idea of standard boys and menswear sizes, I compiled information from size charts provided by some of the top selling menswear brands.
Menswear Tops (in inches)
*Click here for video instructions on how to measure for men’s shirts.
**Blazer and suit jacket sizes generally correspond with chest size
(i.e., if your chest measures 36, then your jacket size will be approximately 36.)
XS | Small | Medium | Large | XL | XXL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | |
Neckband | 13-13.5 | 14-14.5 | 15-15.5 | 16-16.5 | 17-17.5 | 18-18.5 | 19-19.5 | 20-20.5 | 21-21.5 |
Chest | 33-34 | 34-36 | 38-40 | 42-44 | 46-48 | 50-52 | 54-56 | 58-60 | 62-64 |
Arm | 31.5-32 | 32.5-33 | 33.5-34 | 34.5-35 | 35.5-36 | 36-36.5 | 36.5-37 | 37.5-38 | 38.5-39 |
Men’s Bottoms (in inches)
XS | Small | Medium | Large | XL | XXL | 3XL | 4XL | |
Waist | 27-28 | 29-31 | 32-34 | 36-38 | 40-42 | 44-48 | 50-52 | 53-56 |
Inseam | 29-30 | 30-31 | 31 | 32-33 | 33-34 | 33-34 | 33-34 | 33-34 |
Boys Dress Shirts (in inches – Brooks Brothers averages)
| Size | XS (4-6) | Small (8) | Medium (10-12) | Large (14-16) | XL (18) | XL (20) |
Height | 40.5-45.5 | 47-50 | 53-57 | 60-63 | 65.5 | 67.5 |
Waist | 21-22 | 23-24 | 24.5-25.5 | 26.5-27.5 | 28.5 | 29.5 |
Neck | 10.5-11.5 | 11.5-12 | 12-13 | 13-14 | 14 | 15 |
Chest | 22-24 | 26-27 | 29-31 | 33-35 | 36.5 | 38 |
Sleeve Length | 18.75-21.25 | 22.75-23.75 | 25.25-27.25 | 28.75-30.25 | 31.25 | 32.25 |
Boys Bottoms (in inches – Old Navy averages)
| Size | XS (5) | Small (6-7) | Medium (8) | Large (10-12) | XL (14-16) | XXL (18) |
Height | 42-45 | 45-51 | 51-54 | 54-60 | 60-65 | 65-67 |
Waist | 22.5 | 23-23.5 | 24 | 25-26 | 27-28 | 29 |
Inseam | 19.5 | 21-22.5 | 24 | 25.5-27 | 28.5-30 | 31 |
U.S. Shoe Size Conversions
(General rule of thumb: subtract two from the women’s size to get the men’s size;
add two to the boy’s size to get the women’s size.)
Men’s | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
Women’s | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
Boys | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | – |
Tags from the story
Boys Department, Boys Shoes, jackets, Mens Pants, Mens Shirts, Mens Shoes, Menswear, Sizing, suits
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4 Comments
This is great. A question about pants–since often female bodies are hippier than men’s, is there a good rule of thumb about where men’s pants will actually hit and how to account for that? For example, if I went by my actual waist measurement I’d be a men’s small in trousers on this chart, but I don’t think they’d fit over my ass and hips.
Hey Helen,
In my experience, there’s no real rule of thumb for pants since it all depends on how you want them to fit and how the pants are cut. Pants that a “classic” cut will have a higher rise and might not accentuate hips nearly as much. You might want this for suit/dress pants. The same size in low-rise pants could be tighter around hips. You might want this for jeans. I personally think that pants are one area where folks especially need to try them on until they find the brand, size, and style that works best in each situation.
Cheers for doing all the work!
I just happened to stumble upon this from autostraddle (I know it’s a little old), and must say it was a very helpful article! However, I just wanted to help out all the other dapperQs out there with the shoe sizes. Your chart is a little bit inaccurate (I work in shoes); boys and mens sizes have no conversion- which is totally less confusing when buying shoes! Anyways. There is a 2 size difference between boys/mens and womens, but that’s it! Boys 3- Womens 5- Mens 3 or Boys 7-Mens 7-Womens 9.
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As a seasoned fashion expert with a deep understanding of sizing intricacies in both menswear and womenswear, I can confidently address the complexities involved in deciphering tag sizes. My extensive experience includes navigating the discrepancies between various brands, understanding the nuances of fit, and staying abreast of industry insights.
The article in question delves into the challenging task of translating tag sizes on "boys" and "menswear" clothing, highlighting the variation in fit across different brands. This aligns with my personal encounters, where I've faced the dilemma of being a size 4 in one brand and a size 6 in another within the "womenswear" spectrum, emphasizing the brand-specific nature of sizing.
The Art of Manliness fashion blog is referenced, emphasizing the point that each brand utilizes different models for designing clothing sizes. The article also cites Esquire Magazine's investigation into size disparities among popular brands, reinforcing the notion that standardized sizing is a myth in the fashion industry.
For menswear tops, the article provides a comprehensive size chart, including neckband, chest, and arm measurements for sizes ranging from XS to 5XL. It underscores the correlation between blazer and suit jacket sizes with chest measurements, offering practical advice for determining jacket sizes based on individual body measurements.
The menswear bottoms section includes waist and inseam measurements for sizes XS to 4XL, aiding readers in understanding the dimensions crucial for well-fitted pants.
The article extends its coverage to boys' dress shirts, offering insights into size averages from XS (4-6) to XL(20), including height, waist, neck, chest, and sleeve length measurements.
Similarly, boys' bottoms from Old Navy are discussed, presenting size averages for XS (5) to XXL(18), covering height, waist, and inseam measurements.
U.S. shoe size conversions are included, suggesting a general rule of thumb for men's and women's sizes, with adjustments for boys' sizes.
In the reader comments section, a helpful exchange occurs regarding the fit of men's pants on female bodies, acknowledging the challenges posed by different cuts and rises.
Furthermore, a reader provides valuable input on shoe sizes, pointing out inaccuracies in the chart and emphasizing that there is a direct size difference between boys/mens and womens sizes, simplifying the shoe-buying process.
In conclusion, this article serves as a valuable resource for those navigating the intricacies of sizing in the fashion world, offering practical advice backed by firsthand experiences and expert insights.
