Know Korean Sizes So You Don’t Look Like This! – Seoulistic

Know Korean Sizes So You Don’t Look Like This!

Lucky you! You found that awesome Girl’s Generation t-shirt that you’ve been wanting for so long and buy it instantly! But when you get home and finally try it on, you look like this! Make sure this doesn’t happen when you shop in Korea. Be sure to know Korean sizes!

If you’re going to shop in Korea at some of the global brand stores, you will find the typical small, medium, large sizes that can be found around the world. Generally, these sizes will be pretty close to where you’re from (not always though!). But if you shop at local Korean retailers, you might be confused with the sizes.Β There are different sizes in Korea for clothes, shoes, pants and even underwear. And no one wants to wear underwear that’s too small for them!

Note: The larger sizes (XL, XXL+) can often be difficult to find in Korea. Itaewon, the foreigner district of Seoul, definitely has large size clothing.

Women’s Clothing Sizes in Korea

International XS S M L XL XXL
Korea 44 (85) 55 (90) 66 (95) 77 (100) 88 (105) 110
Japan S M L XL XXL
USA & Canada 2 4 6 8 10 12
UK & Australia 4-6 8-10 10-12 16-18 20-22
France 34 36 38 40, 42 44, 46, 48 50, 52, 54
Italy 80 90 95 100 105 110
Europe 34 36 38 40 42 44

Men’s Clothing Sizes in Korea

International XS S M L XL XXL
Korea 85 90 95 100 105 110
USA 85-90 90-95 95-100 100-105 105-110 110+
14 15 15.5-16 16.5 17.5
Japan S M L LL, XL
36 38 40 42 44 46
UK 0 1 2 3 4 5
France 40 42, 44 46,48 50,52 54, 56, 58 60, 62
Europe 44-46 46 48 50 52 54

 




Korean Shoe Sizes

Korean Size (mm) 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290
USA (Men) 5 6.5 7.5 9 10 11 12
USA (Women) 4 5 6 7.5 8.5 10 11 12 13
Japan 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
Europe (Men) 36.5 38 39 41 43 45 46
Europe (Women) 34 35.5 36 37.5 38.5 40 42 43 44
UK (Men) 4.5 6 7 8.5 9.5 10.5 11.5
UK (Women) 2 3 4 5.5 6.5 8 9 9.5 10

Source for above charts: naver.com.

Bra Sizes in Korea

Korea
& China
70A 70B 70C 70D 70DD 75A 75B 75C 75D 75DD 80A 80B 80C 80D 80DD
Japan AA70 A70 B70 C70 D70 AA75 A75 B75 C75 D75 E75 AA80 A80 B80 C80 D80 E80
US/UK 32AA 32A 32B 32C 32D 34AA 34A 34B 34C 34D 34DD 36AA 36A 36B 36C 36D 36DD
Europe 70AA 70A 70B 70C 70D 75AA 75A 75B 75C 75D 75E 80AA 80A 80B 80C 80D 80E
France 85A 85B 85C 85D 85DD 90A 90B 90C 90D 90DD 90E 95A 95B 95C 95D 95DD 95E
Australia 10AA 10A 10B 10C 10D 12AA 12A 12B 12C 12D 12DD 14AA 14A 14B 14C 14D 14DD

Source for Korean bra sizes: k-styleme.com

Tip: Watch this fun clip about having big boobs in Korea

Keith
Keith
Keith Kim is a Korean-American who has been living in Korea for almost a decade. Being in a unique position as both a Korean and a non-Korean, he's put all his experience and knowledge for surviving in Korea in Survival Korean . Read it to learn how you can survive in Korea. Follow him on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

38 Comments

  1. Jason says:

    I have to say all these things are really relative.

    I bought a pair of 280 Converse sneakers that were 9.5 in US size and a size 11 Merrell boots that were listed as 290.

    I regularly encounter “XL” Korean shirts that fit like a US medium or small on me.

    And pants, don’t get me started on the pants. Even if you find your waist size, the damn legs will fit like sausage links if you got any sort of meat on them.

  2. kbnhkr says:

    The Korean Bra Size really help increase your self esteem. πŸ™‚
    “Yeah, I have a B-cup! First in my lifetime.” πŸ˜€
    By the way South Korea (and Asia at all) will be my “shopping heaven”, because I’m small.

  3. kbnhkr says:

    *right word: petite

    • Ellie says:

      OK, I don’t completely agree with that. I’m really sick of reading our Asian sizes are 1 to 2 sizes smaller than the regular American/European. I don’t think so. Then why is it, when I buy according to my actual measurements, am I drowning or literally having a skirt Or jeans completely fall off?

  4. Taladris says:

    French size are clearly not the good ones. For instance, men shoes sized 280 in Korea are equivalent to 42

  5. Nic says:

    Yeah, it’s become clear to me that I will not be buying any bras in Korea. I don’t think you can get anything larger than a B cup outside of Itaewon. Heh.

    “One size” is hit or miss, too. In the US I wear an 8 in pants and usually a medium in tops, but some of the Korean “One size” stuff fits me fine. Some is ridiculously tiny.

    • Ellie says:

      Unfortunately you can ? …… Well maybe not unfortunately but, if you were stuck with a D cup, I don’t think you would be happy in any country. And that’s after I reduction ?

  6. Cassandra says:

    What range of shoe sizes would one normally find in your average shop?

  7. Laura says:

    Hey nice video.
    I’m from Australia and im buying my Mum a jacket from China and i’m freaking out.
    She’s a size 18 so ill probably get her a XL or a XXL but im still concerned that the
    size will be to small with how puny the sizings are. I’m going to get the XXL because
    I am paranoid now and hopefully it will be to big rather than not fit well at all. The XXL
    is the largest size they have in the jacket sizes. πŸ™ Fingers crossed I really hope the
    jacket fits. Also I don’t know if you have ever watched New Girl you remind me of the
    character Jess your personality when you’re on here reminds me of hers on the show
    :). Keep up the lovely posts.

    Lauwzs

  8. Laura says:

    Also I can’t believe they have a one size fits all thats rediculous.
    I would only expect that of hats one size fits all sounds right then.
    I was puzzled when I saw free size while shopping for Mum I really
    don’t think free size is the appropriate word for it.

    ~Lauwzs

  9. shawnal says:

    Simon and martina! EYK FOR LIFE XD

  10. Stephanie says:

    I’m only 32C and the thing she said with getting stuck in the dress and not being able to get it back over my boobs happened to me =P the dress fit perfect everywhere and made my boobs look amazing so as I was taking it off i got stuck in it and lucky I had my mom with me because we were going holiday shopping and the dress I was trying on was on clearance. I did get the dress but I know when I wear it I need to have someone help me take it off. It also makes me feel good that i’d be a 70D in korean sizes because a 32C is more or less a glorified 34B XD . But at least i’m an XS in american clothes so I should be pretty good with free-sizing… just have to be careful not to get stuck in a dress again!! =\ =P

    • Kayla says:

      Is 70d an easy size to find? I’m starting a english teaching job in a few months and want to know if I’ll have to stock up on bras. 32c isn’t very big but who knows in korea I could become suddenly busty.

      • Nuri says:

        Even though lots of Koreans are A or B, C is not considered as that “busty” size. No worries, there are lots of size available except for F or G

  11. Cat says:

    Well hell… so even if I go back to Korea (born there), I’m going to have LOTS of issues finding clothing. Yaaaay 38C and having an ass?

  12. Katie says:

    Yay for not even fitting on the scale! lol
    I fit on every scale but bra size… My US size isn’t even mentioned, so… I’m packing bras! πŸ™‚

  13. Jazi says:

    The us sizes in the size chart are not quite right.
    International XS S M L XL XXL
    USA & Canada 2 4 6 8 10 12
    (the usa sizes i’ve seen)
    Xs= 0-2 S = 2-4 M= 4-6 L = 6-9 XL= 10-14 XXL = 16-18
    Making the clothing in an xxl from lets say Korea equal a L. Shoulders and bust lines are normally much smaller as well. American women average a size 12 so between a L and XL. Most Asian clothing will not fit unless made very large.

  14. gloria says:

    how about “one size” tshirts? i’ve been wanting to buy couples tshirts for my husband and i… but they just say “regular size” for mens… and “one size” for womens… i usually use medium in the US… how small do the one size tshirts run? anyone? HELP! thnx

  15. Eddy says:

    I know it can be challenging to find big and tall clothes in korea. But theres a store in gangnam that has international brands in xl to xxxxl sizes. They have everything from like Nike, to Northface etc. I bought a couple clothes here and they get them directly from the US. So no worry about weird sizes. The website is bigguy.co.kr They have an online store and a store where you can try out everything before you buy it.

    heres the map. http://bigguy.co.kr/no/map.html

  16. Bells says:

    What is size 8 – 9 years in korea for boys jeans?

    • Maddy72 says:

      Korea goes by 2-3 different children sizes, depending on where you shop.
      So for a 8-9 year old boy, it could be 120-140 (equivalent to your son’s height), or
      9, 11, or 13 (in odd numbers – probably equivalent to your son’s Korean age which is 1+US age), or
      60, 65, 70, 75 (in increments of 5 – and this is normally for inner clothes, i.e., PJs, underwears, etc.).

      So for jeans, at Uniqlo, Zara, or other brand name clothes, I would say 130-140 depending on how tall your son is or
      at local market stores or underground/street shopping centers, probably 11 or 13 depending on how much your son weighs….

      But don’t worry! You just have to know your son’s height (in cm) and weight (in kg), and the store staff will guide you to the right size! Good luck!

  17. Fantastic beat ! I would like to apprentice even as you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a weblog site? The account helped me a applicable deal. I were tiny bit familiar of this your broadcast offered vibrant transparent idea

  18. jude says:

    I usually get shirts and v-necks from the UK and my size is S……so what will be the best Korean size that will fit me….i don’t really know my suit size also…..any help please

  19. Tina says:

    in my country we try the clothes on before we buy it, that is not allowable in korea??

    • Nuri says:

      It is allowable

    • Maddy72 says:

      Most places, they won’t let you try them on (due to the fear that you might damage, stretch, wrinkle, and/or put makeup smudges on). But if you go to the department stores (including E-mart/Homeplus) or name brand stores (like Uniqlo, Zara, H&M, Gap, etc.), they will have fitting rooms for you to try the clothes on! Good luck!

  20. Nuri says:

    I’m Korean and this is the most accurate size conversion I’ve ever seen. It’s helpful when I get clothes online abroad as well

  21. fifi farhana says:

    so no size for 40D?? urghhh..(somehow i’m happy lol ^^)

  22. Emilie says:

    I wear a size 260 here in shoes, and a 9 womens back in the US, and that has been pretty accurate. I DO NOT wear a size 10 in the US, haha, no way. I wear about a 7 in mens shoes. For clothing, I wear between a 14-16 in the US, between a 42-46 in Europe, and 100-110 here in Korea. So what my issue is with this is the US conversion. The mens sizes look pretty accurate, but not the womens sizes.

  23. Stephanie says:

    My size in Europe is 65F or 70E . What is the Korean size?
    Will it be possible to find any bra in south Korea?
    If it’s possible what shops can you recommend?

  24. Courtney says:

    So um I am a 34DDD How am i going to survive this summer

  25. Briana Farrington says:

    Could anyone tell me what size a 3XL is for Americans? I found a beautiful dress and it goes up to a 3XL in their size but I don’t know what size that is in the United States.

  26. idol it says:

    Hi there i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anywhere,
    when i read this paragraph i thought i could also
    make comment due to this brilliant article.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *