Is a European size 54 the same thing as a North American 44?

The answer is actually NO.

European sizes are based on HALF of the customer's chest measurement for the selected size. So, a 54 is designed to fit a person with a chest measurement of 108 centimeters (54x2=108). To convert this to a North American size in inches, you have to divide 108 cm by 2.54. This gives you 42 1/2 inches (rounded to the nearest eighth of an inch). Well, there's no such thing as a size 42 1/2, so the next size up would be 43, and of course 43 is not 44.

So why is it in many stores you'll see the manufacturer's label indicating size 54, and the store's label indicating 44? It's probably because it's just simpler to remember that way.

We hope you'll find the conversion charts below to be a helpful reference tool for establishing the best size conversion for your customers. (You can add this page to your 'favorites' or 'bookmarks' list for quick reference later.)

Converting European Sizes to North American
  Jacket Sizes (46-70)
European Jacket Size 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70
Chest Circumference 92 96 100 104 108 112 116 120 124 128 132 136 140
Closest North American Size 36 38 39 40 43 44 46 47 49 50 52 54 55
Actual Circumference (in inches) 36½ 37¾ 39 3/8 41 42½ 44 1/8 45 5/8 47¼ 48 1/8 50 1/8 52 53½ 55 1/8

  Pant Sizes (46-70)
European Pant Size 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70
Waist Circumference (cm) Based on 7cm Drop 78 82 86 90 94 98 102 106 110 114 118 122 126
Closest North American Size 31 32 34 35 37 39 40 42 43 45 46 48 50
Actual Circumference (in inches) 30¾ 32¼ 33 7/8 35 3/8 37 38 5/8 40 1/8 41¾ 43¼ 44 7/8 46½ 48 49 5/8

Converting North American Sizes to European
  Jacket Sizes (36-52)
Jacket Size 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52
Closest European Size 46 46 57 50 50 52 54 54 56 58 58 60 62 62 64 64 66
Actual Circumference (cm) 91.5 94 96.5 99 101.5 104 106.5 109 115 114.5 117 119.5 122 124.5 127 129.5 132

  Pant Sizes (30-46)
Pant Size 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46
Closest European Size 46 46 48 50 50 52 54 54 56 56 58 60 60 62 64 64 66
Actual Circumference (cm) 76 78.5 81.5 84 86.5 89 91.5 94 96.5 99 101.5 104 106.5 109 112 114.5 117

Back:  How Do I Sell Made to Measure?

Next:  Sizes, Body Measurements and Finished Measurements
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