Women's Shirt Size Chart: XS to 3XL with Bust & Waist
Vanity sizing has made women's sizes a moving target. Here's the chart, the US/UK/EU/AU conversions, fit tips by body type, and the rule for when bust and waist disagree.
A US size 4 at one brand fits a 35-inch bust. A size 4 at another brand fits a 33-inch bust. Same number, two-inch gap.
This is vanity sizing. Brands quietly shrunk their numbers over the past 30 years so a 35-inch bust now reads as a "size 4" instead of the "size 10" it used to be. The result is total chaos. Your size at one brand is two sizes smaller at another, three sizes bigger at a third.
The fix is to ignore the number and shop by your bust and waist measurements. Once you know those numbers, every brand's chart becomes a 10-second lookup.
This guide gives you the complete women's shirt size chart from XS to 3XL, the US/UK/EU/AU conversions, fit tips by body type (apple, pear, hourglass, rectangle, inverted triangle), and the rules for picking the right size when bust and waist disagree.
How Women's Shirt Sizes Work
Three numbers determine a women's shirt size.
Bust circumference
Waist circumference
Hip circumference
Most women's shirts size primarily by bust. Tailored and fitted styles also factor waist. Loose blouses and oversized shirts ignore the waist entirely.
Women's Shirt Size Chart (US, UK, EU, AU)
| Letter | US | UK | EU | AU | Bust | Waist | Hips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 0–2 | 4–6 | 32–34 | 4–6 | 31–33" / 79–84 cm | 24–26" / 61–66 cm | 33–35" / 84–89 cm |
| S | 4–6 | 8–10 | 36–38 | 8–10 | 33–35" / 84–89 cm | 26–28" / 66–71 cm | 35–37" / 89–94 cm |
| M | 8–10 | 12–14 | 40–42 | 12–14 | 35–37" / 89–94 cm | 28–30" / 71–76 cm | 37–39" / 94–99 cm |
| L | 12–14 | 16–18 | 44–46 | 16–18 | 38–40" / 97–102 cm | 31–33" / 79–84 cm | 40–42" / 102–107 cm |
| XL | 16–18 | 20–22 | 48–50 | 20–22 | 41–43" / 104–109 cm | 34–36" / 86–91 cm | 43–45" / 109–114 cm |
| XXL | 20–22 | 24–26 | 52–54 | 24–26 | 44–46" / 112–117 cm | 37–39" / 94–99 cm | 46–48" / 117–122 cm |
| 3XL | 24–26 | 28–30 | 56–58 | 28–30 | 47–49" / 119–124 cm | 40–42" / 102–107 cm | 49–51" / 124–130 cm |
These ranges are global averages. Specific brands run smaller or larger by 1 to 2 inches.
How to Use the Chart
Three steps.
Measure your bust, waist, and hips
See the linked measurement guides at the bottom of this post.
Find the row that matches your numbers
Read across — bust, waist, hips.
Cross-reference the country column
Match the right column for the country the brand is sold in.
Bust and waist disagree?
Fit Tips by Body Type
Five common body shapes. Each one has a sizing rule that off-the-rack charts ignore.
Apple shape
Sizing rule: order by bust. Choose styles that skim the waist instead of cinching. V-necks and open collars balance the upper body. Avoid fitted tops that pull at the bust.
Pear shape
Sizing rule: order by bust for shirts that end above the hip. Order by hip for tunics and longer shirts. Look for brands that offer petite or regular bust sizing separately.
Hourglass shape
Sizing rule: order by bust. Tailored and fitted shirts work well. Avoid boxy cuts that hide the waist. Look for shirts with darts or seaming that match your shape.
Rectangle shape
Sizing rule: order by bust. Look for shirts with darts, ruffles, peplum, or belted styles that create the appearance of a waist. Boxy and oversized cuts also work well as intentional silhouettes.
Inverted triangle shape
Sizing rule: order by bust. The shirt will be loose at the waist and hip, which is fine. Avoid puff sleeves and shoulder pads. Look for V-necks and open collars to soften the upper body.
US, UK, EU, AU Sizing Differences
US
UK
EU
Australia
Asian sizing (Japan, South Korea, China)
Vanity Sizing: Why Your Size Keeps Changing
Vanity sizing is the practice of relabeling clothing with smaller numbers to make customers feel better about their size.
In 1958, a US size 8 was a 31-inch bust. Today, a US size 8 is a 36-inch bust. The bodies didn't change. The labels did.
Different brands vanity-size differently. Mass-market brands (Old Navy, Banana Republic, J.Crew) tend to run more generous. Designer and luxury brands (Reformation, Prada, Saint Laurent) tend to run smaller and closer to historical sizing.
A US 4 at one brand is not a US 4 at another
Brand-Specific Variations
- Reformation, Aritzia: run slim. Order one size up if between two sizes.
- Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic: run true to standard chart or slightly generous.
- J.Crew: used to run small, now closer to standard. Check recent reviews for current fit.
- Zara: inconsistent across collections. Some lines run 1 size small, others run 1 size large.
- H&M: European sizing. Tends to run small for US shoppers.
- Lululemon: athleticwear. Runs true to standard but uses 0 to 14 numerical only.
- Eileen Fisher: designed for relaxed fit. Runs roomy. Size down if between two sizes.
When in doubt, read recent reviews on the specific item.
Five Mistakes That Wreck Women's Shirt Sizing
Buying by past size
"I've always been a size 6" doesn't apply when brands change their sizing standards every few years. Always re-measure.
Skipping the bust measurement
Some shoppers measure waist and hips and skip bust because they think they "know" their bra size. Bra size is not bust size. Bust circumference is what shirts use.
Ignoring brand-specific sizing
Each brand publishes its own size chart for a reason. Generic charts are starting points only.
Sizing up for tailored shirts
Tailored shirts that are too big in the body lose their structured look. Match the chart precisely.
Trusting the model's photo
Models wear sample sizes for photos and are styled to make every size look perfect. The label, not the photo, predicts how the shirt will fit you.
When to Size Up vs. Size Down
If your numbers fall between two sizes:
- Fitted shirts and blouses: size up. Loose drape can be tailored. Tight pulls cannot.
- Tailored shirts and button-downs: match the chart. Tailoring fixes minor issues but cannot make a too-small shirt larger.
- T-shirts and casual tops: size down for fitted, size up for relaxed.
- Bodysuits and crop tops: size up. These cuts are unforgiving when too small.
- Sweaters and knits: size up. Knits stretch and look better with a little ease.
FAQs
Why is my size different at every brand?
Vanity sizing. Each brand sets its own measurements. Always check the brand's specific chart.
Should I trust the brand's chart or my measurements?
Both. Take your measurements first. Then check them against the brand's chart, not a generic one.
My bust and waist are different sizes. What do I order?
For fitted shirts, go by bust. For tailored shirts with seaming, go by the larger of the two and tailor down.
What is "bra size" vs "bust size"?
Bra size is band + cup (34B, 36C). Bust size is the circumference around the fullest part of your chest while wearing the bra you'll wear with the shirt. Shirt sizing uses bust circumference, not bra size.
Do my measurements change with my menstrual cycle?
Yes. Bust can change by 1 inch and waist by 0.5 to 1 inch. Measure on a normal day, not before or during your period.
How do US women's sizes convert to UK?
UK is generally 4 numbers higher than US. US 4 = UK 8. US 8 = UK 12. Australia uses the same numbering as the UK.
Save Your Numbers Once
Three numbers are all you need to shop women's shirts online from any brand in any country.
- Bust circumference (inches and cm)
- Waist circumference (inches and cm)
- Hip circumference (inches and cm)
Plus your body type for fit recommendations.
Write them down once. Match them to the chart. Forget the number on the label and stop trusting "your size" from five years ago. Stores running Tailor Size Guide let shoppers save these numbers and reuse them across every blouse and shirt in the store.
Need help measuring? See how to measure your bust, how to measure your waist, and how to measure your hips.
Selling women's shirts or blouses on Shopify?
Vanity sizing chaos is your conversion problem in disguise. Tailor Size Guide adds smart size charts, custom measurement forms, and body-type fit recommendations to your product pages so customers find their actual size in seconds.