Quick Facts
- International shoppers buying French clothing
- Expats ordering from French boutiques
- Parents buying French children's clothing
- Add 32 to US women's size for French size (US 4 = FR 36)
- Add 10 to US/UK men's suit size for French equivalent (US 40 = FR 50)
- French cuts run slimmer in shoulders and arms - size up if between sizes
- French 38 differs from EU 36 (German sizing) - always verify FR vs EU labels
Essential reference for anyone ordering French fashion online. Master the 'Plus 32' rule for women and 'Plus 10' rule for men to avoid costly international returns.
Ordering from a French boutique feels effortless until the package arrives. You ordered your usual size, but the jacket won’t button, and the sleeves feel tight. This isn’t just about weight; it is a fundamental difference in how French fashion houses measure the human body compared to American or British brands.
American sizing often leans into “vanity sizing” (making labels smaller than the actual fit). French sizing is unapologetically mathematical. If you get this wrong, you face the nightmare of international return shipping. We have stripped away the outdated data to give you the verified conversion standards used by major retailers right now.
The Golden Rules of French Sizing
Before looking at the charts, you need to understand the logic. French sizing (FR) is standard across France, Spain, Portugal, and Belgium. However, it differs from the “European” (EU) standard used in Germany and Scandinavia.
- The “Plus 32” Rule (Women): In general, add 32 to your US numeric size to get your French size. A US 4 + 32 = FR 36.
- The “Plus 10” Rule (Men’s Suits): For suit jackets, add 10 to your US/UK chest size. A US 40 suit is a French 50.
- The Silhouette Difference: French cuts are slimmer in the shoulders and arms. If you are between sizes, always size up for French brands.
Women’s Shoe Size Conversion
French shoe sizing uses the “Point de Paris” system, where one size equals 0.667 cm. This creates a drift between US and French sizes. A common mistake is thinking a US 9 is a 41/42; in reality, it is a solid 40 in France.
| US Size | French Size (FR) | UK Size | Foot Length (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 36 | 3 | 22.5 cm |
| 6 | 37 | 4 | 23.5 cm |
| 7 | 38 | 5 | 24 cm |
| 8 | 39 | 6 | 25 cm |
| 9 | 40 | 7 | 25.5 cm |
| 10 | 41 | 8 | 26.5 cm |
| 11 | 42 | 9 | 27.5 cm |
Men’s Shoe Size Conversion
Men’s conversion is tricky because many online charts are outdated. The standard mapping in 2025 aligns a US 10 closer to a French 44, not 45.
| US Size | French Size (FR) | UK Size | Japan (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 39 | 5.5 | 24 |
| 7 | 40 | 6.5 | 25 |
| 8 | 41 | 7.5 | 26 |
| 9 | 42 / 43 | 8.5 | 27 |
| 10 | 44 | 9.5 | 28 |
| 11 | 45 | 10.5 | 29 |
| 12 | 46 | 11.5 | 30 |
| 13 | 47 | 12.5 | 31 |
Men’s Shirt & Suit Conversion
Ignore generic charts that give you random numbers like “87” or “91”—those are chest measurements in centimeters, not sizes. French dress shirts are sized by collar circumference in centimeters.
If you are buying a suit or jacket, simply take your US chest size and add 10.
| US Alpha Size | US Neck (Inches) | French Size (Collar cm) | Suit Jacket (FR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 14 | 36 | 44 |
| S | 14.5 – 15 | 37 / 38 | 46 / 48 |
| M | 15.5 | 39 / 40 | 50 |
| L | 16 – 16.5 | 41 / 42 | 52 / 54 |
| XL | 17 – 17.5 | 43 / 44 | 56 |
| XXL | 18 | 45 / 46 | 58 / 60 |
Women’s Clothing: Dresses, Coats & Suits
This is where most mistakes happen. If you are used to shopping at major European retailers like Zalando, you might see “EU” sizes. Be careful: A French 38 is an EU 36 (German). Always verify if the label says FR or EU.
| US Size | French Size (FR) | International | Bust (cm) | Hips (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 34 | XS | 80-84 | 86-90 |
| 4 | 36 | S | 84-88 | 90-94 |
| 6 | 38 | S/M | 88-92 | 94-98 |
| 8 | 40 | M | 92-96 | 98-102 |
| 10 | 42 | M/L | 96-100 | 102-106 |
| 12 | 44 | L | 100-104 | 106-110 |
| 14 | 46 | XL | 104-108 | 110-114 |
| 16 | 48 | XXL | 108-114 | 114-118 |
French Children’s Clothing (Age vs. Height)
French children’s clothes are sized by age (Ans) but rely strictly on height. American sizing often accounts for weight, whereas French sizing assumes a leaner, taller build. Practitioner Tip: If your child is average or above average in weight for their age in the US, buy at least one size up in French brands.
| French Label | Approx US Size | Max Height (cm) | Chest (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2A (2 Years) | 2T | 92 cm | 51-53 |
| 3A (3 Years) | 3T | 98 cm | 53-55 |
| 4A (4 Years) | 4T / 4 | 104 cm | 55-57 |
| 6A (6 Years) | 6 | 116 cm | 58-60 |
| 8A (8 Years) | 8 | 128 cm | 63-65 |
| 10A (10 Years) | 10 | 140 cm | 69-71 |
| 12A (12 Years) | 12 | 152 cm | 75-77 |
Where to shop for French Fashion?
Now that you know your size, you can explore the market with confidence. If you are looking for authentic retailers, check out our guide to French clothes online.
Planning a full lifestyle upgrade? Beyond fashion, you might be interested in our curated lists of the top 10 online furniture stores in France or, for a sweeter treat, the best chocolatiers in France.
