Thrift clothing comes from all over the world, and so do the size labels. One shirt says “M”, the next says “50”, a jacket from Korea says “100” and a pair of jeans says “81”. This guide explains how US, UK, European and Korean sizes work, where to find the size on a garment, and how to convert them, so you can shop preloved clothes in Pakistan without guessing.
First, find the label
- Shirts and jackets: the label at the back of the neck, or the care tag sewn into the inside side seam near the hem.
- Jeans and trousers: the patch on the back of the waistband, and the tag inside the waistband or on an inside seam.
Many care tags list sizes for several countries at once, which makes converting easier.
US and UK sizes
American and British brands mostly use letters for tops (S, M, L, XL). Dress shirts are sized by collar in inches, such as 15½ or 16, and jeans by waist and length in inches, such as W32 L32. Our shirt size guide and jeans size guide explain those in detail.
European sizes
European brands often use numbers. Shirt collars are measured in centimetres, and jackets and suits use numbers such as 46, 48, 50 and 52. These conversions are approximate:
| European size | Means roughly |
|---|---|
| Collar 39 | 15½ inch collar |
| Collar 41 | 16 inch collar |
| Collar 43 | 17 inch collar |
| Jacket 48 | 38 inch chest |
| Jacket 50 | 40 inch chest |
| Jacket 52 | 42 inch chest |
Korean and Asian sizes
Korean brands often label men’s tops by chest size in centimetres. Korean and other Asian brands also tend to run about one size smaller than American sizing, so a Korean L often fits like a US M.
| Korean size | International |
|---|---|
| 90 | S |
| 95 | M |
| 100 | L |
| 105 | XL |
| 110 | XXL |
Jeans in centimetres
Some brands give the waist in centimetres. Divide by 2.54 to get inches:
| Waist (cm) | Waist (inches) |
|---|---|
| 76 cm | W30 |
| 81 cm | W32 |
| 86 cm | W34 |
| 91 cm | W36 |
Women’s sizes
Women’s sizes differ between countries even when they are all numbers. These are common approximate matches:
| UK | US | EU |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 4 | 36 |
| 10 | 6 | 38 |
| 12 | 8 | 40 |
| 14 | 10 | 42 |
Korean women’s clothing often uses 44, 55, 66 and 77, which roughly match XS, S, M and L.
Shoe sizes
For men’s shoes, US sizes usually run about one size above UK sizes, and for women’s shoes about two sizes above. European sizes differ slightly by brand: for example, a men’s EU 42 is a UK 8 with Adidas but a UK 7.5 with Nike. When in doubt, compare the insole length in centimetres with a pair you own. Browse our preloved footwear with this in mind.
The safest way: measurements
Labels change by country and brand; inches don’t. That’s why every piece at Lundapur is listed with its real measurements. Compare them with clothes you already own and you’ll get the right fit far more often than by trusting the label. Shop shirts, jeans and jackets at Lundapur, an online thrift store in Pakistan delivering nationwide.