You grab your usual size in three different stores. One fits perfectly, one refuses to zip, and the other falls off your hips. Vanity sizing and inconsistent cuts mean the number on the tag is just a wild guess. If you are looking for a real women’s clothing size comparison, you are in the right place. I tested jeans, pants, and shirts across 10 popular brands to map out how their sizing actually runs in the real world. Here is the direct breakdown so you know exactly when to size up or down.
Quick Women’s Clothing Size Comparison Table
| Store | Jeans | Pants/Skirts/Dresses | Shirts | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Eagle | 6 | 4-6 | S-M | Stretch denim runs forgiving |
| J.Crew | 26 (2) | 2-4 | Small | Extreme vanity sizing, size down |
| Urban Outfitters | 28 | Medium | Small | Rigid cotton runs small |
| Free People | 26-27 | 4-6 | S-M | Tops huge, jeans run tight |
| Madewell | 27 | 4 | S-M | Consistent, stretch loosens |
| Gap | 27 | 2-4 | S-XS | Generous in hips and thighs |
| Ann Taylor LOFT | N/A | 2-4P | Small | Major vanity sizing, size down |
| Forever 21 | N/A | S-M | Small | Very inconsistent, check fabrics |
| H&M | N/A | 4-6 | 4-8 | European block, runs small |
| Banana Republic | 27P | 2-4 | XS-S | Generous, check reviews |
1. American Eagle Size Guide
American Eagle can be confusing if you assume your size here translates anywhere else. I wear a 6 in their skinny stretch jeans. For years I assumed I was a 6 or 28 everywhere else, which is completely false.
- Jeans: 6. Their high-elastane blends are incredibly forgiving.
- Shirts: I take a Small in structured button-downs. For casual tees and flannels where you want a relaxed fit, a Medium works best.
- Dresses: Small.
- Skirts: 6, but buy a 4 if it is a high-waisted cut.
Sizing Smart Tip: Pay attention to the fabric makeup. Their high-stretch denim gives out nearly half a size by the end of the day. Size down if you are between sizes.
2. J.Crew Vanity Sizing Experience
J.Crew is one of the biggest vanity sizing offenders on the market. Their system is designed to make you feel smaller so you buy more. I tried on their famous Minnie stretch capri pants in a 6. They felt fine in the store but fell off me after two hours. I exchanged them for a 4. Still too big. A size 2 was the actual correct fit.
- Jeans: 26, which translates to a size 2. A 26-inch waist fitting a size 2 is mathematically absurd.
- Pants: 2 in stretch fabrics, 4 in rigid fabrics.
- Skirts & Dresses: 2 or Small.
- Shirts: Small.
Sizing Smart Tip: Never assume your standard size here. Always grab one size smaller than your usual to take into the fitting room.
3. Urban Outfitters Size Fit Notes
Urban Outfitters mostly targets the college demographic, which means their sizing runs younger and slightly narrower. Their house brand BDG is the standout here.
- Jeans: 28.
- Skirts / Pants: Medium.
- Shirts: Small.
Sizing Smart Tip: If you buy 100% cotton BDG denim, you must size up. It has zero give and will shrink slightly in the wash.
4. Free People Size Fit Guide
Free People is incredibly difficult to pin down because their entire aesthetic relies on massive, unfitted, oversized draping. You could grab almost any size top and it would work. Their jeans are a totally different story.
I tried a 27 in a boyfriend jean and the waist was huge. I switched to a 26 in skinny jeans, barely got them over my knees, and lost oxygen circulation to my legs once buttoned.
- Jeans: Boyfriend styles 26, Skinny styles 27.
- Dresses: 4 or 6.
- Tops: Small or Extra Small. You can easily size down twice in their oversized knitwear.
5. Madewell Sizing Experience
Madewell sizing is highly consistent once you figure out your baseline. They are the most reliable store on this list for denim.
- Jeans: 27.
- Pants / Skirts / Dresses: 4.
- Shirts: Small for fitted cuts, Medium for relaxed cotton tees.
Sizing Smart Tip: Madewell denim with elastane stretches out beautifully to mold to your body. If it feels slightly snug on day one, do not size up. It will fit perfectly by day two.
6. Gap Women’s Clothing Sizes
Gap is generous with their fabric cuts. They tailor more toward comfort, offering wider hips and thighs compared to youth focused brands.
- Jeans: 27.
- Pants: 4.
- Skirts: 2 for relaxed fits, 4 for tight pencil skirts.
- Shirts: Small, but drop to an Extra Small if you are layering it under a sweater.
7. Ann Taylor LOFT Sizing: Does It Run Big?
If you are searching to find out if Ann Taylor runs big, the answer is an absolute yes. LOFT takes vanity sizing even further than J.Crew. Their clothes run exceptionally large across the board. If you are comparing Ann Taylor sizing to Banana Republic, know that Ann Taylor will almost always fit looser and larger for the same tag size.
- Pants: 2 or 4 Petite.
- Shirts: 2 or Small.
- Dresses & Skirts: 2 or 4 Petite.
Sizing Smart Tip: If you are under 5’4″, definitely explore their Petite section. Standard lengths here drag heavily on shorter frames. Always size down.
8. Forever 21 Clothing Fit Differences
Forever 21 uses hundreds of different wholesale suppliers, which completely destroys any size consistency. I tried a 27 in jeans, found the waist massively baggy, yet the ankles were tight enough to cut off my circulation.
The first skirt I tried was a Small. I could not even get the zipper to move. Then I grabbed pants in a Medium and they were huge.
- Jeans: Avoid them unless you have a completely straight figure. The cuts do not accommodate curves.
- Bottoms: Medium in any rigid or thick material. Small in silky, flowy fabrics.
- Shirts: Usually small, but case-by-case testing is strictly required.
9. H&M Size Differences
H&M relies on a European sizing block, which means everything runs narrow and small compared to American stores. One shirt I tried was a size 4. Another identical style fit best in a size 8. It makes zero sense.
- Pants: 6 or Medium.
- Skirts: Small or 4 for elastic waists. Medium or 6 for structured pencil skirts.
- Dresses: Usually a 4, but size up if there is no stretch.
- Shirts: Anywhere from a 4 to an 8.
10. Banana Republic Sizing: Does It Run Small or Large?
People constantly ask “is Banana Republic true to size?” and the reality is their sizing swings wildly depending on the fabric. They do not run small. In fact, they lean toward running large, but they are incredibly inconsistent.
I own perfectly fitted skirts from them in a size 2, but a faux leather skirt required a size 4 to even zip. I own several Small shirts, but a classic button-down in Small was loose enough to function as a tent.
- Jeans: 27 Petite.
- Bottoms & Dresses: 2 or 4 depending on fabric stiffness. Size up for rigid materials.
- Shirts: Extra Small or Small. They run wide in the shoulders.
Sizing Smart Tip: When dealing with Banana Republic sizing, always check the reviews for that specific item before buying. If the material has zero stretch, buy your true size. If it looks relaxed, size down immediately.
Suggested Reading: Find your perfect fit in seconds, use our Dress Size Calculator and shop with confidence every time.
Why This Women’s Clothing Size Comparison Matters
This little experiment shows just how wildly sizes can vary. Whether you are shopping for jeans, dresses, or tops, using a direct women’s clothing size comparison can save you time, expensive returns, and fitting room frustration. I’d love to crowdsource more info, share your height, body type, and what sizes you wear at different stores in the comments. The more people who join in, the better we can decode this sizing madness together.
FAQ: Women’s Clothing Size Chart Comparison
Why do my sizes change so much from store to store?
Short answer: brands cut for different customers and play with something called vanity sizing. Many labels make the number on the tag smaller than the garment’s actual measurements because people tend to buy more when they think they are a smaller size. There is no single US standard, so fits drift by brand and season.
What is vanity sizing, in plain English?
It is size inflation. A pair of pants that measured as an 8 a decade ago might be labeled a 4 today. It feels good in the fitting room, but it makes online shopping and cross-brand comparisons messy. Studies and retail reporting have tracked this shift across many brands. ScienceDirect
Are some retailers known for sizing large or small?
Patterns exist, even if they change over time. Reporting has flagged LOFT and Old Navy for generous cuts, while Zara often runs snug with slimmer blocks. Readers also swap the same notes in forums, like sizing up from American Eagle to Old Navy, or down at LOFT. Use this as a starting point, then check each product’s measurements.
Do “one size fits most” brands help or hurt?
They simplify inventory, but they rarely fit most bodies. The model excludes many shoppers and fuels frustration around body image. If you like a style, look for community photos and garment measurements before you buy.
How can I figure out my best size online without trying things on?
I do three things: measure myself, compare to the brand’s size chart, then check the garment’s actual measurements if listed. If there is no garment spec, I read recent reviews for fit notes and look for tools like Fit Finder or brand-specific fit help pages. These steps reduce returns a lot.
What measurements matter most for jeans and pants?
Waist, hip, and rise. For straight or slim cuts, the hip and rise can change the whole feel even when the waist is “right.” When I am between sizes, I look at fabric stretch and the hip measurement to decide. Research that mapped dozens of brands found major variance in these points, which is why your usual number can swing.
Why do petite, tall, and curvy lines fit better for some bodies?
These lines change the pattern proportions, not just length. Curvy denim adds room at hip and thigh with a smaller waist. Petite and tall adjust rise, knee placement, and sleeve length so seams land where they should. Shoppers consistently report better luck when they match cut to body type.
Is there any movement toward standardized sizing?
There have been past attempts and academic proposals, but no universal standard has stuck for fashion retail. Brands keep flexibility to design for their customer and marketing goals, which is why I still bring two sizes into the fitting room.
Are luxury brands more consistent?
Not really. Some luxury houses historically cut smaller, while many mid-market chains cut larger. Inclusivity is improving in places, but coverage is still uneven and size blocks vary by label. Treat each brand as its own sizing universe.
What is the smartest return policy strategy?
Before I click buy, I check return windows, restocking fees, and whether the brand offers free returns or local drop-offs. For new-to-me labels, I order two sizes when shipping and returns are free, then keep the better fit. This is the least stressful path with today’s sizing spread.
Ann Taylor sizing compared to Banana Republic: Which runs bigger?
Ann Taylor and LOFT consistently run bigger than Banana Republic. Ann Taylor relies heavily on vanity sizing, meaning their garments are cut much looser. If you wear a size 6 at Banana Republic, you will likely need a size 4 at Ann Taylor.
