Women's Clothing Size Conversions (USA, France & UK)

Paris shopping: Women's Clothing Size Conversions

Shopping in large French department stores like the Galeries Lafayette in Paris can be a heady experience.  What woman wouldn't want to spend at least one afternoon trying on the latest fashions?  To make the experience even more enjoyable (and less mysterious!) we offer the following conversion charts for women's sizes in the USA, the UK and France.  Please visit again soon for a future article on menswear.



Basic Apparel

In Europe, dress size depends on both height a figure type.  Junior is suitable for a height between 5'2" and 5' 5" with a slender figure.  Misses is suitable for women between 5'5" and 5'7" with a well proportioned figure.  Women's is suitable for ladies 5'5" through 5'8" with a fuller and rounder figure. Women's sizes do not correspond to bust measurements. A half size is somewhat shorter than a misses size and a bit fuller and rounder. A petite size is somewhat shorter than a misses size, with heights running from 4'8" to 5'4". The more expensive the dress, the more likely the manufacturer is to label the dress with a size or two smaller than its true size.  The following is a general conversion chart to get you started.  As always, it's best to try the garment on before purchasing anything.

Misses Dresses

USA UK France
4 6 34
6 8 36
8 10 38
10 12 40
12 14 42
14 16 44
16 18 46
Bra Size

Note: cup size is the same in all Western countries -
A, B, C, D, etc.

Just as in America, European bra sizes consist of the band size (a number) and the cup size (a letter). The band size is found by measuring around the rib cage just below the bust line, adding 5, and rounding up to the nearest even number. The cup size is found by measuring along the fullest part of the bust and subtracting the band size. The letters correspond to the result as follows: A (1"), B (2"), C (3"), D (4"), DD (5"), and DDD (6").  Conversion Example:  If your bra size in the United States is 36C, it is the same in the UK, 96C in France, and 80C on the global European scale.

Bras

USA UK France Euro
32 32 90 70
34 34 90 75
36 36 95 80
38 38 100 85
40 40 105 90
42 42 110 95

Ladies Shoes

In the USA, each whole shoe size differs by 1/3 of an inch. In Europe, whole shoe sizes differ by 2/3 of a centimeter (about 1/4 of an inch). This makes the correspondences between US and European shoe sizes only approximate. European shoe sizes are the same for men and women. In the US a woman's shoe is about 1 to 1-1/2 sizes greater than the same length men's shoe. Infant shoe sizes run from 0 (4 inches) to 13 (8-1/4 inches). These correspond to European sizes 15 to 31. Boy's shoe sizes run from 1 (8-1/2 inches) to 12 (12-1/4 inches). Girl's shoe sizes run from 1 (8-1/4 inches) to 9-1/2 (11 inches). Add 1 to the boy's size to get the equivalent girl's size. Of course, there's a lot of variability, so it is imperative to try on a shoe before purchasing. If the shoe fits, wear it.

Paris shopping: Galleries Lafayette

Panties & Swimwear

S-M-L USA UK France Euro
S 6 10 38 36
M 8 12 40 38
L 10 14 42 40
XL 12 16 44 42

 

Shoes
USA UK France
5 2½ 35
6 3½ 36
7 4½ 37½
8 5½ 38½
9 6½ 40
10 7½ 42
12 9½ 44

Due to popular demand here is a list (Junonia, Avenue, Torrid ...etc..) of internet Plus-Size stores with Coupon Codes.


For men's sizes, please visit Men's Clothing Size Conversions (USA, France & UK)


ladies sizes

This is a wonderful reference point, but do shops in Paris sell plus sized clothing? I noticed that the chart stops at a size 16. My sister and I are definitely fuller figured women who will need a little more room.

Yea I heard that there are no fat women in France, but I'm not sure if I actually believe that.

So is it possible to be fat and stylish in Paris?

Look up "grandes tailles"

Look up "grandes tailles" and Paris for stores that carry larger sizes for women - there are a couple I've heard of, like Grandiva, and NoComplex, but there are lots, actually.

Fat and stylish in Paris

No. Not in the NorthEast USA either.

Fat and stylish in Paris

My goodness carls - have you nothing better to do than be nasty? What goes around come around, you know. AKA, karma.

Fuller Figured and Fabulous in Paris

I've tried to shop many times in France and being a 16+ a bit, it tends to be rather a depressing experience. However, you can ALWAYS buy wonderful accessories and these as we all know is really the way to look fabulous and stylish AND minimise the girth a little. And of course SHOES . . . I don't care how fat I get, I'm going to squeeze my feet into wonderful shoes until I'm in my grave !

I don't think we do have

I don't think we do have plus sized clothing.
I am French and I am pretty sure that you won't find more than the size 16. It's not that nobody is fat over here, but the people who really are are not stylish...
I am skinny, so I am not really sure of what I am saying, but I live in Paris, and that's what I think. Maybe you can find more than 16, but not in Paris : no stylish shops sell plus sized clothing.
And the rumor you hear isn't really true.. some of us are fat, but they are really few in great cities like Paris...
I Hope my answer is what you were looking for, and that my english isn't so bad !

pauvre conne ! tu devrais

pauvre conne ! tu devrais aussi proposer aux personnes en surpoids d'aller habiter au fin fond de la cambrousse parce qu'à Paris, elles risquent de faire tâche... Il y a de tout à PARIS des anorexiques et aussi des obèses et d'autres qui sont entre les deux et tout le monde a le droit de vivre et de s'habiller comme bon lui semble. alors va donc te pendre au lieu de raconter n'importe quoi aux étrangers !

You're beautiful!

I am going to start by saying that big is beautiful.
By the way so called French woman at the bottom I am skinny too but I find your comment highly rude and offesive hiding behind a language is absolutely no excuse to be (if you'll excuse my Frech) a complete bitch!
I so think" we don't have fat people in Paris"
This is one of the most nasty things I have ever ever heard anyone say!

I live in central Paris, and

I live in central Paris, and it's true, it's hard here to find clothes that are even a French size 3, or 42 - which is about a 10 US - let alone larger. Women are generally pretty slim here. But of course there are women of all sizes, it's just that the average here is slimmer than in many other places. The bigger department stores are more likely to have sizes 3 and 4 - but they won't have anything for a US size 16+. There are a few stores for larger women - search "paris vetements grandes tailles femmes" on Google. I found one called Grandiva in the 17th arrondissement (website in English http://www.grandiva-aliceb.com/women_clothes_xl_xxl.htm).

Also, the French comment wasn't all that rude - she was objecting to the first post for suggesting that larger women don't exist here and for, in her opinion, trying to be subtly insulting to the original post. She wrote it in French because it was addressed at the french poster.

Plus sizes in France

I leave for Paris in 6 days.
#1 - I do not believe that I will be the only fat women (French or American) walking around Europe.

#2 - Though very difficult, I know I dress quite stylish considering the ghastly selections that plus-sized women have available to them (live here in the US? try www.junonia.com)

#3 - There are A LOT stores that carry plus-sizes in Paris. See the list at the end.

#4 - There seems to be conflicting information out there about what EU size equals what US size. I suspect that an EU size 50 is a US size 26/28. Being a size 32, I doubt I will find anything, but will have fun looking.

I do want to say shame on the Parisian skinny girl for her comments. Though she thought she was being helpful, she should keep her comments to herself if she has nothing to contribute. Saying there are no plus size store in Paris, when in fact there is a surprizing number of them, is simply, once again, showing how stupid and unempathetic thin women can be. Oops, now I've lowered myself to her level. I take that back. It shows her passing on incorrect information without checking her facts first.

I expect I will have a wonderful time. I expect that my butt won't fit in most places, but I'm going to have fun trying, and if it doesn't, I'll cope. I expect that I will have no regrets. I refuse to not live life because of body I have. For as much as I watch what I eat and as much as I work out and walk, I just have to believe that God has a plan for me in this body. I can accept that (but I won't stop fighting!!). Au revoir!!

Plus Size Woman Clothing Stores in Paris
Femmes Rondes - Grandes Tailles
NOCOMPLEX
36 Boulevard de Charonne
75020 Paris
Téléphone : 01 43 73 57 03
Sizes 40 to 60.
http://www.nocomplex.net

Jeanne Rafal
36, blvd. Hausmann, 75009 Paris
11, rue St.Lazare, 75008 Paris

La Pompadour
32 bis, Blvd. Hausmann, 75009 Paris

Marina Rinaldi fashions start at about size 44 (US 14)
133 rue de Sèvres
Gerlane

265 rue St Honoré, 75006 Paris
Tél.: 01 47 34 66 93
http://www.gerlane.com

Angelique Dinan
Locate outside of Paris, but the fashion parade on the internet has some great photos. Click 'Les Infos'.
http://www.angelique-dinan.com

Cholet-Ganne Marielle
10 place du champ clos, 22100 DINAN
Tel: 02.96.87.07.03..

Danish Karen Hansen
CAZAK4, RUE DE MARIGNAN, 75008 Paris
http://www.touteslesmarques.com

Ronde et Jolie (Round and Happy :-)
http://www.rondeetjolie.com
Type 75 for Paris - interesting site with a list of other plus size shops.

Ulla Popken
The Paris store is at 32 boulevard Haussmann 75009, close to the large department stores. In Paris:http://www.ullapopken.fr In USA, site in English, shipped from USA: http://ullapopken.com

Grandiva
The store is at 41 rue Dulong 75017. They have a large variety of women's dresses, separates and lingerie.Grandiva website *

Unjour Ailleurs
There are several stores in Paris. French size 50 as plus sized; good clothes for a working wardrobe as well as for special events.
10, rue Halevy, 75009
Un-Jjour-Ailleurs.com - translated into English

Elena Miro
195 rue Saint Honore 75001
Separates and dresses in European sizes 42-58 (U.S. 10-26). Two stores in Paris and also have some floor space in Galleries Lafyette :

http://www.elenamiro.com

There are two plus size shops on the rue St Placide between rue de Sevres and the rue de Rennes. They are both on the left side of the street as you walk from the Bon Marche towards the St Placide metro station - I'll get the names and post them here.

Department Stores for Plus Size Woman Clothing
Galeries Lafayette has collections from different designers who cater to grand tailles - plus size - from Marina Rinadi, Elena Miro and Alain Weiz. Alain Weiz's clothing is gorgeous.

Printemps - Level 6 - "Mode Classique" has grandes tailles - plus size. The Christine Laure collection is fashionionable and is in sizes 38 to 52.

Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche has a selection of plus sized clothes, look for departments called 'Encore' - meaning 'more' - or Grandes Tailles or Femmes Rondes.

Plus Size Woman Lingerie
Laure Sokol
15, rue du Vieux Colombier, 75006 Paris
137, rue de Sèvres, 75006 Paris
84, rue Francois Miron, 75004Paris

http://www.lauresokol.com

Difference in Plus Sizes
France uses a different sizing system than the United States.

U.S. dress size 18 is a size 50 in France.

If you buy a plus size item of clothing made in France, the tag will show the French size. Buying the same dress in the USA, you would find that the clothing tag will show U.S. sizing as well as showing the foreign origin of the dress, possibly as "Imported" or "Made in France".

Tip! Hire a seamstress or dressmaker in Paris
Hire a Parisian dressmaker if you don't have the time to shop or if you want a dress that is not readily available in the stores. Contact the concierge at your hotel at least two weeks before your arrival date. The Concierge will be able to help you set up an appointment with a local dressmaker. You can select your fabric and pattern and then complete your fittings while you in Paris. The dressmaker can then finish your dress and ship it to your U.S. home or office.

Heading across "the Pond" to England?
If you're going to be in the U.K., there are specialty plus size woman clothing shops such as Ann Brooks which only sell plus size clothing. Other UK plus size labels and stores are New Look, Etam, Marks and Spencers and BHS.

Plus Size Clothing for Men in Paris
Capel K stock big and tall men's clothing - Several shops in Paris. One located at 26 boulevard Malesherbes (Arr 8) Metro: Madeleine. Tel: 01 42 66 34 21

Big and Nice for larger men near NationMen's wear for the fuller figure.
12 cours Vincennes (Arr 12) Metro: Nation
http://www.big-and-nice.com/

Looking for larger shoes in Paris?
Sacapuce Boutique, 13 rue de Clignqncourt75018 Paris
Telephone: 01 46 06 49 06
http://sacapuce.fr