Women's Clothing Sizes for Guys: Measure Yourself and Convert Sizes Without Guessing
Most returns and bad fits happen for one hidden reason: sizing. Women's sizes are not a code you can guess from your men's size, and brands disagree with each other by a full size or more. The fix is ten minutes with a tape measure and a conversion table, once, and then you never guess again.
This is the page to bookmark before you order anything. Measure once, write the numbers down, and check them against the size chart every time you buy, because the chart is the only thing that tells you what a brand means by medium.
Measure yourself first
Stand straight, breathe out normally, and measure over thin clothes, not a hoodie. Hold the tape level and snug, not tight, and write down three numbers:
- Bust or chest: around the fullest part, tape level, arms relaxed.
- Waist: at your natural waistline, the crease when you bend to the side. Not where your jeans sit, where your waist actually is.
- Hips: around the widest part of your hips and bottom, feet together.
Measure twice. If the two readings differ, take the middle one. These three numbers are your sizes from now on: every size chart is written in these three numbers, and your men's size is not on any of them.
Conversion tables
Use these as a starting point, then always check the brand's own chart, because brands vary by a full size.
| Women's top size | Bust (inches) | Waist (inches) | Men's size, roughly |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 31 – 32 | 23 – 24 | XS – S |
| S | 33 – 35 | 25 – 26 | S |
| M | 36 – 38 | 27 – 29 | M |
| L | 39 – 41 | 30 – 32 | L |
| XL | 42 – 44 | 33 – 35 | XL |
| 2XL | 45 – 47 | 36 – 38 | 2XL |
| Women's bottoms | Waist (inches) | Hips (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 2 | 24 – 25 | 34 – 35 |
| 4 – 6 | 26 – 27 | 36 – 37 |
| 8 – 10 | 28 – 30 | 38 – 40 |
| 12 – 14 | 31 – 33 | 41 – 43 |
| 16 – 18 | 34 – 36 | 44 – 46 |
Dresses use the top size, and the waist number is the one that matters most: a dress that fits the bust but not the waist will pull at the waist and gape at the chest. Skirts are bought by waist first, hips second. If your waist and hips fall in different sizes, buy for the larger one and take the other in, or choose a stretch fabric that forgives the difference.
Brand variation: the same size is not the same size
Fast fashion runs small, premium brands run closer to the chart, and vintage runs small by a full size or more. That is why the chart matters more than the letter: a medium from one brand is a large from another. Before ordering, read the size chart on that product page, and read the reviews for fit notes. Reviews that say "runs small, size up" are worth more than the size guide. If a shop has no size chart, that is a reason not to order from it.
Between sizes
When your numbers fall between two sizes, the answer depends on the garment. For skirts and dresses, size up: a too-small waistband is unwearable, a too-big one can be belted. For stretch fabrics, size down: stretch closes the gap. For structured pieces with no stretch, size up and tailor down. And always check the return policy before you order a between-size item, so a wrong guess costs a return label, not a wasted purchase.
Thrift and secondhand sizing
Secondhand adds one more trap: the label lies more than usual. Vintage sizes are smaller than modern ones, and the garment may have shrunk or stretched. Measure the garment itself, not the label: lay it flat, measure the waist across and double it, and compare that number to your waist measurement. A seller who lists measurements is a seller you can buy from with confidence. A seller who only lists "M" is a guess.
Size questions
What is my women's size if I wear a men's medium?
There is no direct conversion, because men's sizes are cut for a different shape. Measure your chest, waist, and hips and use the tables above. As a rough starting point, a men's medium usually lands near a women's large in tops and a women's 8 to 10 in bottoms, but your measurements are the real answer, not the men's label.
What if I am tall?
Length is the problem tall guys hit first: sleeves, dress hems, and skirt lengths all run short. Look for tall ranges where they exist, and check the garment length in centimetres on the size chart, not just the size letter. A longer rise in trousers and a longer torso in dresses matter more than the size number.
What size thigh highs do I need?
Thigh highs are sized by thigh circumference and length, not by shoe size. Measure around your thigh where the band sits, and check the band size on the listing. My femboy thigh highs guide covers sizing, staying up, and styling, and the pieces link out to extra-long thigh highs on Femboy Fashion if you want to browse the styles.
If you want the whole system behind this article, Femboy Fashion Guide — sizing is step one. The guide turns correct sizes into complete outfits for different body shapes and occasions.
Keep reading: Your First Skirt: A Femboy's Buying and Wearing Guide for the first garment to buy in your new size, and Femboy Skirts: 6 Styles Compared for the skirts themselves, with links out to a black micro mini skirt on Femboy Fashion.