Woman's Sizes

[Gina Taylor]

Not sure if anyone has posted about this. 

Today I was out looking for some new clothes and for the life of me I couldn't really tell what I was doing.  My biggest problem was simply how do you convert a man's size of pants to a woman's size.  For example I wear a 34 x 30 in jeans what would that equate to in a woamn's size?

[Devlyn]

This is from the site's reference library: https://www.susans.org/reference/size.html

Hugs, Devlyn

[Paige]

For example I wear a 34 x 30 in jeans what would that equate to in a woman's size?

Yes I've been trying to figure this out lately too.  As I can tell you really need inseam, hip and waist measurements.  My problem is my waist is 31 and my hips are 38.  So my hips would be size 9 jeans but my waist suggest size 13 jeans or something like that.  And then you find out all the companies sizes all fit differently.  I guess the only way, is to try them on.

[Paige]

This is from the site's reference library: https://www.susans.org/reference/size.html

Thanks Devlyn

[Gina Taylor]

Thanks Devlyn. That really gives me a better idea for the next time I go shopping. At least I'll know what size I'll be looking for.  Hey Joules, if I could find something loose fitting like what you're wearing in your avatar, I'd really be ahead of the game.  BTW, I always wear a medium in blouses.

[Robin Mack]

I used size calculators, etc... I discovered that, for me, the best approach was to visit a local thrift store and try different styles of dresses, skirts, blouses, etc, so I could see what looked good on me, how different sizes in different styles fit, etc.  At first I was afraid to try them on in the store, but after a few prospecting trips I got over it.  Plus it's getting close to Halloween, if you feel uncomfortable, remember there's a tradition of cross-dressing for Halloween parties.

The reason I suggest this is that this way you can both build your wardrobe and get a sense of how different materials stretch, what styles are flattering, which aren't, and spend comparatively little money.  $40 can go a long way when skirts/blouses/pants are $1.50 and dresses are $5 or less.  That same $40 can buy one or two items at a retail shop.

Happy hunting!  The right clothes can help *sooooo* much! 

[Andaya]

A great place to start if you are wary about trying on women's clothes in stores are stores that cater to both genders. I really like Old Navy. Grab a bunch of things from all over and try them on in the privacy of changing rooms

[MadeleineG]

I have found (the hard way) that women's clothing tends to be small in the chest and shoulders, while they tend to be large in the hips and waist for my frame.  That is likely true in general for those with a more masculine build.

That's certainly been true for me and I wouldn't consider myself to have a particularly masculine frame. The shoulders of most women's tops seem to make me feel like my arms are penguin flippers, roughly speaking glued to my torso. 

[Carrie Liz]

I'm going to concur with the "try them on" sentiment.

One of the things about women's clothes... the sizes are MUCH less consistent than men's clothes. When you buy a male pant that has a 34 waist, you can probably buy it without even trying it on because all men's clothes of equal sizes are within about 5% of each-other. So if you know your measurements, you're good. Women's clothes... no. Sometimes I seriously wonder what some manufacturers are smoking. I've tried on size-16s that were like 2 inches too big, and others that I couldn't even zip up. In my present wardrobe, I have everything from sizes 14 to 18. And I have shirts ranging from Medium to 2XL that pretty much all fit the same. When I'm trying on shirts labeled "large," some of them will be WAY too small, some will fit perfectly, and others will be too big.

With women's clothes, it's really a crapshoot. The sizes are all over the place. You can use the charts to get a general idea, but the odds of anything in that same size fitting exactly alike, unless it's from the same manufacturer, is pretty much 0. To find clothes that actually fit, you're going to have to try them on and see for yourself. There really is no other way. Especially since we trans girls tend to have weird body proportions that take a bit of effort to fit well in women's clothes.

[Gina Taylor]

I used size calculators, etc... I discovered that, for me, the best approach was to visit a local thrift store and try different styles of dresses, skirts, blouses, etc, so I could see what looked good on me, how different sizes in different styles fit, etc.  At first I was afraid to try them on in the store, but after a few prospecting trips I got over it.  Plus it's getting close to Halloween, if you feel uncomfortable, remember there's a tradition of cross-dressing for Halloween parties.

The reason I suggest this is that this way you can both build your wardrobe and get a sense of how different materials stretch, what styles are flattering, which aren't, and spend comparatively little money.  $40 can go a long way when skirts/blouses/pants are $1.50 and dresses are $5 or less.  That same $40 can buy one or two items at a retail shop.

Happy hunting!  The right clothes can help *sooooo* much! 

Thta's kind of ironic, ya know Robin. that's exactly were I went to look for clothes. But they had a very wide variety and it was jsut so overwhelming. I did however find a cute black purse before I left.    Thanks again for the good advice! I'll definately keep it in mind whenever I go shopping.

[Gina Taylor]

This+1.  A big factor is stretchy here.  In general, Spandex is a trans-friendly material.  I have an 18W denim skirt that fits just right because of the stretch (and brand).  I haven't found a single other 18 that fits.  Maybe 1 or 2 20s, mostly 22 and 24.  Again, it's all about the stretch.

So that's the secret! Thanks joules. Next time I'm in the thrift store I'll be looking for some clothes with some stretchability, "cos I'll remember that one of my sisters says that they fit best!  Kudos to you!!!

[Robin Mack]

Thta's kind of ironic, ya know Robin. that's exactly were I went to look for clothes. But they had a very wide variety and it was jsut so overwhelming. I did however find a cute black purse before I left.    Thanks again for the good advice! I'll definately keep it in mind whenever I go shopping.

My first dress came from a thrift store.  It was hideous, but it looked like it *might* just fit... so I furtively grabbed it from the rack, draped it over my arm, under a men's shirt I'd picked up for camouflage, and tried to walk nonchalantly through the checkout, preparing my backup story in case the store clerk asked questions.  She didn't even bat an eye, just rung me up and bagged my purchases.

Over time I've grown more confident even in male presenting mode, holding dresses and blouses up to me over the mirror.  The other day an older "gentleman" laughed and said "That would look good on you!"  I winked and said "Thank you", which made him laugh harder as he walked away, shaking his head.  That's the *biggest* reaction I have gotten, and even it wasn't so bad, even though deep inside, a part of me was blushing and wanting to hide.  I'm glad I toughed it out, because the dress was a stunner.

[KarynMcD]

My problem is my waist is 31 and my hips are 38.  So my hips would be size 9 jeans but my waist suggest size 13 jeans or something like that.

It also depends on where the waist falls. In a "low rise" pants, I can fit into a 12, but I need to go to a bigger size as the waist moves up.
Then of course there is Juniors sizing where I'll need to go to up a size to 13 (normally a misses 12 is close to a juniors 11) because it is cut straighter to begin with.

[Gina Taylor]

My first dress came from a thrift store.  It was hideous, but it looked like it *might* just fit... so I furtively grabbed it from the rack, draped it over my arm, under a men's shirt I'd picked up for camouflage, and tried to walk nonchalantly through the checkout, preparing my backup story in case the store clerk asked questions.  She didn't even bat an eye, just rung me up and bagged my purchases.

Over time I've grown more confident even in male presenting mode, holding dresses and blouses up to me over the mirror.  The other day an older "gentleman" laughed and said "That would look good on you!"  I winked and said "Thank you", which made him laugh harder as he walked away, shaking his head.  That's the *biggest* reaction I have gotten, and even it wasn't so bad, even though deep inside, a part of me was blushing and wanting to hide.  I'm glad I toughed it out, because the dress was a stunner.

Hey Robin, I find that kind of funny. I remember a few times that I've bought too many pairs of pantyhose, from Wal-Mart, and I'll go right back in there the next day to the Customer Service as bold as anything and I'll ask for a refund even though the clerks are looking at me strangely. You're still young, and I think you can develop a back bone. Be strong and be who you are. I have a tattoo on my thigh that I live by. It says: NO FEAR, and that's exactly the way I treat life.

[Devlyn]

Thanks Devlyn

I'm the Finder Of Things!

[Just Shelly]

It also depends on where the waist falls. In a "low rise" pants, I can fit into a 12, but I need to go to a bigger size as the waist moves up.
Then of course there is Juniors sizing where I'll need to go to up a size to 13 (normally a misses 12 is close to a juniors 11) because it is cut straighter to begin with.

Yes there is a big difference between jr's and women's then throw in petite!! On top of all this dresses and skirts are not sized the same. You really have to try on things even if you have bought that size before. I just bought a dress and top at Target.....didn't have time to try on and since I have bought so much from their I thought I was safe....ends up they both don't quite fit....the weird thing is that I just bought the same exact top in the same size a couple of weeks ago and it fit fine.

Vanity sizing is what really gets me...what use to be a size 8 years ago is now a size 3!!!

I fit into jr's well since their made more in mind for girls with less butt and hips, I also found out that young girls also fit good and their cheaper!!! Usually only the underwear, yoga pants and some shorts though since most is made for girls 5'4" and under

[Gina Taylor]

Stopped at a few garage sales today and I found some nice outfits (in my size) and a pair of Bongo jeans. I paid a quarter for those. Made out like a bandit! I've seen them sold for around $18.00 at Sears!

[Tatyana]

Not sure if anyone has posted about this. 

Today I was out looking for some new clothes and for the life of me I couldn't really tell what I was doing.  My biggest problem was simply how do you convert a man's size of pants to a woman's size.  For example I wear a 34 x 30 in jeans what would that equate to in a woamn's size?

Be aware too that petite refers to stature more than size.  Women who are 5'4" tall or shorter are considered petite.  Petite clothes are the same size as regular sizes but made for shorter females.