Why Clothing Sizes Are So Inconsistent

If you’ve ever ordered a size 10 from one brand and a 14 from another — and both fit — you’re not imagining things. Clothing sizes are not standardised across brands, and this creates massive confusion for shoppers.

This post includes a visual comparison of popular size charts across UK fashion retailers and explains why using your body measurements (not the number on the label) is the only way to shop with confidence.

Clothing Size Comparison Grid (UK Brands)

Below is a side-by-side look at the size 12 measurements for five popular UK brands:

Brand	Chest (cm)	Waist (cm)	Hips (cm)
Zara	92	74	98
ASOS	94	76	100
H&M	96	78	102
Mango	90	72	96
New Look	94	76	102

As you can see, a size 12 is not a universal measurement. The difference in waist size alone is up to 6 cm, which can significantly change how a garment fits.

Why This Matters

If you buy based on label size alone, you might:

Order the wrong size and have to return it
Feel discouraged by "sizing up" unnecessarily
Waste time and money

The issue isn't you. It's the sizing systems.

How Tellar.co.uk Fixes This

Tellar.co.uk uses verified brand size charts and compares them directly to your body measurements. It’s free, fast, and designed to work across 1,500+ brands.

Enter your measurements once, and Tellar tells you your best-fitting size in every store — including Zara, ASOS, H&M, Mango, New Look, and more.

Key Features:

Works in cm or inches
Uses largest measurement for accuracy
Updates in real time
Supports UK, US, and EU conversions

How to Use Tellar.co.uk in 3 Steps

Create your free profile
Measure your chest, waist, and hips
Use the Store Size Lookup to instantly find your correct size in each brand

Bonus: Request a free measuring tape to get started if you don’t have one.

Visual Breakdown: Size 12 Fit Examples

Example Body:

Chest: 94 cm
Waist: 76 cm
Hips: 100 cm

Brand	Tellar Recommendation
Zara	Size L (14)
ASOS	Size 12
H&M	Size 10
Mango	Size L (14)
New Look	Size 12

The differences stem entirely from how each brand defines its sizing — not your body.

FAQs

Q: Why don’t brands just agree on sizing?

A: Each brand has its own design team, target customer, and sizing model. Globalisation and marketing (like vanity sizing) further complicate things.

Q: What if I shop in US or EU sizes?

A: Tellar automatically converts your measurements into UK, US, and EU sizes.

Q: Is Tellar just for women?

A: No. Tellar supports both men’s and women’s clothing across all supported brands.

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Final Word: You’re Not the Problem — Sizing Systems Are

If you’re tired of inconsistent sizes, it’s time to stop relying on labels and start using data. Tellar.co.uk lets you measure once and shop anywhere — no returns, no confusion.

Measure once. Shop smarter. Save money.