Women's dress and skirt sizes
French dress and skirt sizes are even-numbered (34, 36, 38, 40...) and correspond to specific bust/waist/hip measurements. A women's French 40 typically fits a 92-95 cm bust and 68-71 cm waist. Our table gives the detailed correspondence for each market.
US sizes follow a different logic (0, 2, 4, 6...) and are approximately 32 less than the FR size (FR 40 = US 8). Italian sizes add 4 (FR 40 = IT 44). Correspondence gaps and brand vanity sizing make comparison tricky — rely on your actual measurements for online shopping.
| France / Spain | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 |
| United Kingdom | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 |
| United States | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 |
| Italy | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 | 54 |
| Germany | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 |
| Japan | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 19 |
| France | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 |
| Unisex | XXS | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL | ||||||||||||
| US | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | ||||||||||||
| UK | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| Chest circumference (in cm) | 82 | 86 | 90 | 94 | 98 | 102 | 106 | ||||||||||||
| Hip circumference (in cm) | 92 | 95 | 98 | 101 | 103 | 106 | 109 | ||||||||||||
| Waist circumference (in cm) | 68 | 72 | 76 | 80 | 84 | 88 | 92 | ||||||||||||
| Inseam (in cm) | 83 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 83 |
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert my FR dress size to US?
Subtract 32 from your FR size: FR 40 = US 8, FR 42 = US 10, FR 44 = US 12. It's an approximate equivalence — our table gives the exact match for each size.
What's the difference between dress and skirt sizing?
In France, the same grid (34, 36, 38...) applies to both. The difference is that dresses cover the whole body (bust + waist + hips) so bust is often the critical measurement, while for skirts only waist and hips matter.
How do I measure to pick the right dress size?
Take 3 measurements: bust (widest point), waist (narrowest), hips (widest point). Compare with the brand's table — if between two sizes, size up for comfort or check the cut (fitted vs loose).
Why doesn't a Zara 38 fit like an H&M 38?
'Vanity sizing': brands label clothes freely, often below the actual size to flatter customers. A Zara 38 may fit like an H&M 36 or Mango 40. Always check the brand's own size table before buying.
Does fabric matter for size choice?
Yes. Non-stretch fabrics (linen, thick cotton) need exact or slightly larger size. Stretch fabrics (jersey, elastane) allow one size smaller. Loose fabrics (fluid viscose) work at normal size or below.