Many clothing items are manufactured in Asia, and the size charts can confuse U.S.-based dropshippers. This guide will clarify the differences between Asian and U.S. clothing sizes and how to convert between them.
Why accurate size conversion matters
Accurate size conversion is crucial when selling clothes online. Without precise conversion, customers can order wrongly-sized clothes, giving them a bad experience and causing high return rates.
Many clothing items are manufactured in Asia and sized according to local standards. When selling them to U.S.-based customers, you should convert the Asian size to the U.S. standard to avoid confusion. This conversion isn’t difficult, given you follow the recommended charts.
Understanding the differences between Asian and U.S. sizes
Asian clothing sizes are usually smaller than American sizes. This occurs because of a difference in average body size and the lack of standardized sizes in all Asian countries.
For example, a large Asian size can be medium in the U.S. A medium Asian size can be smaller by U.S. standards. Because the sizing practices differ, you should utilize online size charts to convert them.
The charts aren’t always 100% accurate because sizing can differ for clothing types, such as tops vs. pants and shorts. Hence, you should also consider the garment type and manufacturer and read reviews from other dropshippers who have worked with the clothing supplier.
Global sizing systems explained
Different regions of the world have different clothing sizing standards. Each region has body shape norms, whereas some have higher average body sizes than others. Regions also have varying cultural clothing preferences, such as Americans preferring a looser clothing fit and Japanese liking a more tailored fit.
Likewise, measurement units differ worldwide, such as the U.S. using inches and most of the world using centimeters. These differences cause the varying clothing sizing systems, and it’s necessary to convert when selling to a global customer base.
Regional size variations
Regions like Asia also have internal sizing differences. For example, the sizing standard in China is different from that of Singapore and India, and the sizing system of Vietnam differs from that of Malaysia. These differences might be small or large, but they’re crucial when selling clothing to foreign customers.
You should consider this when working with suppliers in different Asian countries. Note your supplier’s country of origin and use it as a guide during size conversion.
Asian to U.S. size conversion charts
Women’s clothing conversion chart
Men’s clothing conversion chart
Children’s clothing conversion chart
Footwear conversion chart
Women’s footwear
Men’s footwear
Kid’s footwear
How to measure yourself for accurate sizing
As mentioned, size charts aren’t 100% accurate because of varying standards in different Asian countries. You can measure your body and use it as a guide to improve conversion accuracy.
Measuring for tops and outerwear
When measuring for tops and outerwear, the main parts to focus on are the bust, shoulders, and length.
The bust is the fullest part of your chest, determining how fit or loose a clothing item will be.
Measure from one edge of your shoulder to another and the sleeve length, i.e., from the shoulder to the wrist bone, if it’s a long-sleeved top.
Measure from your collarbone to your waist to determine the overall length. These metrics will help you determine the correct conversion standards.
Source: Ruuji
Measuring for bottoms and pants
The waist, hips, and inseams are the parts to focus on when measuring for bottoms and pants.
Assess your waist size from the narrowest part, usually above your belly button. Ensure you’re relaxed and not sucked in during measurement.
Measure the fullest parts of the hips with your feet standing together. The inseam measurement is from the top of your thigh to the ankle (or wherever the pants end).
Source: Gullinbursti
When you order samples from an Asian supplier, measure the above metrics to see how they correlate with your conversion chart. Then, make any needed adjustments to improve the conversion accuracy.
Measuring for footwear
Foot length, width, and instep are the metrics to focus on when measuring for shoes. The length is the distance from your heel to your longest toe. Repeat this measurement for both feet and use the longer of the two measurements (the two feet aren’t always equal).
The width is the widest part of your toes, usually across the ball, just below the toes. It tells how wide the footwear is and helps guide conversions.
The instep is the part where your foot arches upwards. It’s crucial because some customers have high or low arches. You can provide this measurement on your store to help buyers evaluate shoes better.
Source: ICS Store
Additional fit considerations
The fabric type and stretch also affect conversion measurements. For example, cotton has a lower stretch capacity than spandex. Hence, spandex allows more flexibility in conversion measurements, as it can easily stretch to compensate for slight inaccuracy.
In contrast, you should be more precise when converting cotton sizes, as this material doesn’t have much stretching capacity to compensate for inaccuracies.
Also, consider your customers’ preferences when converting from Asian to U.S. sizes. Survey your audience to see if they prefer looser or tighter fits, and use this information to guide size conversions.
Tips for online shopping with Asian sizes
Use brand-specific size charts
Because standards vary across Asian countries, many brands provide size charts to guide buyers’ choices. Check if your supplier offers this chart and, if available, use it as a conversion guide. This will improve your conversion accuracy and minimize the chances of disappointing customers and processing costly returns.
Read dropshipper reviews
Read reviews from dropshippers who have previously worked with a supplier. These reviews tell whether the supplier’s size charts are accurate and if dropshippers have any other issues.
If you observe overwhelmingly positive reviews about a supplier’s size measurements, it’s a hint to trust their size charts. Otherwise, you might need to order samples and measure these items yourself to provide precise metrics to customers.
Understand fabric and fit
You should study how fabric types and cuts affect apparel fit and comfort. For example, cotton is a comfortable, breathable fabric but doesn’t have much stretching room. Spandex has great elasticity but is less breathable than cotton.
Spandex is body-hugging, while cotton follows body shape but doesn’t have a tight fit like spandex. Similar differences apply to other clothing fabrics like polyester, wool, denim, knits, etc. Consider the fabric type when converting Asian size to U.S. standards, as some have more room for size variations than others.
Check return policies
Confirm a supplier’s return policy before adding their item to your store. The supplier’s return policy determines the return policy you can offer customers in case of size mistakes. For example, if a supplier has a 30-day return window, you can offer the same to customers.
Even when you try your best to accurately convert Asian to U.S. sizes, mistakes could happen, and customers can request returns. Hence, have a firm return policy (based on your supplier’s policy) to avoid displeasing customers.
Common mistakes in size conversion
Assuming universal sizes across brands
Many dropshippers assume Asian clothing brands follow universal sizes, but that’s far from the case. Different countries and brands have varying sizing systems, so you should confirm yours to enable accurate conversions.
Always check a supplier’s website and catalog for sizing information and follow what you see. If that isn’t present, then you can use the standard sizing for the country, but always hear from the horse’s mouth first.
Ignoring fabric stretch and fit
As mentioned, different fabrics affect clothing fit and comfort. Whether cotton, polyester, spandex, rayon, wool, etc., each has unique characteristics regarding fit, comfort, and breathability. You should note these characteristics when converting sizes in your store.
Neglecting height differences
Height contributes significantly to a clothing’s fit. Taller people have longer torsos, which elastic fabrics can compensate for. Taller people may find pants too long, and shorter people may find them too long.
When converting sizes, consider the average heights of the supplier’s country and your customer location. This information helps you convert accurately with respect to average heights in your target locations.
Skipping reviews and feedback
Dropshippers often neglect supplier reviews and feedback, which shouldn’t be the case.
You should always read reviews to evaluate what other dropshippers say about a supplier’s sizing standards. This way, you’ll be aware of any problems and correct them before listing items on your store.
Too much negative feedback for a specific supplier is a signal to find an alternative and avoid long-term customer problems.
Tools and apps for size conversion
Popular apps for size conversion
Dropshipping merchants often use apps to give buyers accurate size conversions. A customer wondering, “What is my size in Asian size?” wouldn’t have to worry because these apps help deliver precise conversions.
Kiwi Sizing
Kiwi Sizing offers machine learning-based size conversions with consistent layouts across your store. You can use it to manage hundreds of product sizes and create custom size charts that match your store’s theme. Customers can effortlessly switch between different units, like inches and centimeters, to get precise data.
MP Size Chart & Size Guide
MP Size Chart & Size Guide is a freemium size conversion app for Shopify stores. You can use it to create size charts that fit your website’s theme. These charts can be in-line, floating, or dropdown to provide a seamless user experience. You can place pre-built chart templates, i.e., Asian to U.S. size, and auto-translate charts to different languages.
Size Matters by Eastside Co
Size Matters by Eastside Co makes size conversion easy for online stores. You can quickly create conversion charts to help customers buy confidently and reduce return rates. These charts can be displayed on all relevant products, and you can edit the theme to fit your store. Customers wouldn’t have to worry about, “What is my size in Asian size?” thanks to this app.
Using Shopify for seamless size charts
Shopify is the world’s leading platform for creating e-commerce sites, thanks to its simplicity and extensive customizability. Dropshippers and online retailers can add size conversion apps to their Shopify stores instead of creating size charts from scratch.
These apps have pre-built chart templates, and you can edit the templates to fit your store’s theme and ensure an intuitive user experience. Some are free, and others have paid plans, depending on your chosen features. Size conversion apps reduce considerable stress when selling clothing online.
Shopify also lets you import products from third-party suppliers through their apps. For instance, dropshippers can import products from Zendrop at the click of a button.
Zendrop offers high-quality clothing sourced from vetted Chinese suppliers, and size conversion won’t be a problem when you install the relevant app. Try Zendrop today to launch a successful clothing dropshipping business.
Frequently asked questions
What is the size of Asian clothing converted to U.S. standards?
Asian-to-U.S. clothing size conversions differ depending on the gender and type of clothing. However, Asian sizes are generally smaller and denominated in centimeters, while U.S. sizes are in inches. Online clothing stores usually have conversion charts to help customers avoid mistakes.
Should I always size up for Asian clothing?
Asian clothing generally has smaller sizes, so it’s advisable to size up when converting to U.S. standards. However, it’s not a universal rule because some brands have specific sizing charts that correlate precisely with U.S. standards.
You should first consult the brand’s chart for conversion details, and if that isn’t available, you can size measurements up by default.
How do I convert Asian shoe sizes to U.S. sizes?
You can use conversion charts to convert Asian shoe sizes to U.S. standards. Some shoe suppliers and brands provide custom conversion charts, so examine them where available. Otherwise, you can follow standardized sizing charts to convert with the highest degree of accuracy.
Conclusion
Size conversion isn’t complicated. Your buyers shouldn’t have to worry about “What is my size in Asian size?” when you provide the accurate conversion charts for them.
This guide includes the relevant conversion charts and additional information on improving conversion accuracy. Follow these tips to improve customer satisfaction, reduce costly product returns, and increase profits from your online store.
