European fashion is adorable, especially when it comes to clothes for babies and children. The eclectic styling holds appeal for many parents and it's fashion you simply can't find in the United States. It's tempting if you're in a Paris boutique or shopping online from a European-based store to pick up some new duds for your child.
Whether you're shopping for your own family or planning to send a gift of clothing to the U.S., you need to be aware that finding the right size can be tricky. Converting standard sizes in clothing from the United Kingdom and European Union is not an easy thing.
Luckily, we have size charts for clothes and shoes to help you out. Also, you might be able to get a partial refund of the VAT tax charged on many European goods if you plan ahead.
Clothes Size Chart
European sizing for clothes in E.U. countries is based on height, which must be converted from inches to centimeters (cm). In the U.K., they use a size that is similar to the U.S. standards of sizing by a child's age, though there are some subtle differences you'll want to take note of.
When you think about it, basing clothing sizes on height rather than age is the most logical approach. After all, every 3-month-old is not the same height or weight and neither is every 5-year-old. It's a simple fact that children grow at different rates.
Use this chart to discover the size you need when shopping. You'll also want to keep in mind that buying a larger size is the best approach because kids are constantly growing and that super-cute outfit will likely be a perfect fit before you know it.
Age Range
Child's Height (in inches)
European Size (height in cm)
U.K. Size
U.S. Size
Preemie
Below 22
Below 56
Preemie
Up to 3 Months
22–24
56–62
0–3m
Newborn, 0–3m
3–6 Months
24–27
62–68
6m
3–6m
6–9 Months
27–29
63–74
9m
6–9m
9–12 Months
29–31
74–80
12m
9–12m
12–18 Months
31–34
80–86
12m
12–18m
18–24 Months
34–36
86–92
18–24m
18–24m
2 Years
36–38
92–98
2–3
2T
3–4 Years
38–41
98–104
3–4
3T–4T
4–5 Years
41–43
104–110
4–5
5
5–6 Years
43–46
110–116
5–6
6
6–7 Years
46–48
116–122
6–7
6X–7
7–8 Years
48–50
122–128
7–8
7–8
8–9 Years
50–53
128–134
8–9
9–10
9–10 Years
53–55
134–140
9–10
10
10–11 Years
55–57
140–146
10–11
11
11–12 Years
57–60
146–152
11–12
14
ShoeSize Chart
Finding the right shoe size, even in the E.U., is even more difficult, so you will need this sizing chart to help you navigate your purchase. There is no logical way to correspond foot length to E.U. shoe sizes like there is with clothing. However, if you're in the U.K., shoes are typically one-half or one-whole number lower than U.S. shoes.
When you're shopping overseas, you'll also want to know about and consider if your purchases qualify for a refund of thevalue-added tax(VAT). Many countries in Europe, including those in the E.U., chargethis tax on consumer goods.
The good news for travelers is that when you export a good from one of those countries, you can receive a refund of the VAT. There are, of course, conditions and steps you need to take in order to get any money back. On average, the VAT is between 15 and 25 percent of the purchase price. That's a considerable amount of money, so the paperwork may be worth it, depending on how much you spend.
According to aUSA Today article that explains this process in great detail, you will need to ensure thatthe things you buy are not used, but brand new. That means you can't put your sweet little one into that adorable jumper you just bought until you cross the border or get on a plane and go through customs.
Additionally, you can make the process easier by seeking out stores that deal directly with the paperwork involved with a VAT refund. Many shops will post a sign that says "tax-free" or something to that extent. These merchants will help you out, or you can look into an agency that handles VAT for travelers.
The key is to look into this issue fully before you buy anything that may qualify for the minimum amounts. Having some knowledge about the matter can end up saving you a significant amount of money and you get the joy of seeing your child in really cute clothes you wouldn't normally buy at home.
Source:
Perkins E. VAT Refunds 101: How to Save on Shopping in Europe.USA Today. 2014.
European baby clothing sizes are labeled based on maximum centimeters in height — meaning a size 70 should fit a baby up to 70 centimeters, or around 27.5 inches long (though there's a range). As with U.S. sizes, when shopping European baby clothing, it's important to review the exact brand's size chart.
In general, baby clothing is sized by age. Newborn clothing is marked as NB (for newborn), infant clothing is marked by month (for example, 0-3M) and toddler clothing is marked by age (for example, 2T for two-year-olds).
But here's a general rule: to decide what size clothes to buy for your baby, double your baby's age. For example, if you're buying for a 3-month old, buy a 6-month-old size; if you're shopping for a 6 month-old, buy a 12-month-old size, and so on.
Toddler clothes are typically measured by weight, while children's clothing sizes are determined by height. Most children aged 18 months to 8 years wear size 4-7, while children aged 8-14 wear size 7-14. While busy parents consider baby clothing the same, some clothes are small enough for toddlers and older kids.
Convert men's US sizing to Euro Sizing by adding 33 to your US shoe size. For example, if you wear a men's US size 10 shoe then size 43 is likely your Euro size. Convert women's US sizing to Euro Sizing by adding 31 to your US shoe size.
Yes, European sizes are typically smaller than US sizes. This difference means you may need to size up when purchasing clothing from European brands. For example, if you are a US size 8, you might be a European size 38 or 40. Always refer to the specific brand's size chart for the most accurate sizing.
The simplest way to gauge a baby's size in utero is to measure an expecting mom's fundal height. Fundal height measures the distance from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus in centimeters. Your health care practitioner will also palpate your abdomen to get an idea of your baby's size.
The longest a baby usually wears newborn is about 1-2 weeks after their due date (even if born early- by the due date they are usually in newborn size). Therefore, for a new baby gift, I would go with a 3M (0-3M) or 6M (3-6M) size to get a little longer wear.
One way to estimate fetal size is based on your belly measurement, specifically from your pubic bone to the top of your uterus (called fundal height). If your bump measures larger than expected for how far along into pregnancy you are, your baby may be also larger than average.
Our study suggests that the two parental genomes may be acting at different times during the pregnancy in order to control the baby's size. Whilst greater fetal growth appears to be promoted by the father's genes early on, it must still require careful regulation by the mother to ensure a successful birth.
But because baby clothes sizes in America are based on age, rather than baby's actual height and weight, they differ from brand to brand— meaning 3-6M in one brand could fit much differently than 3-6M in another brand. The most common sizing options you'll see include: Preemie. Newborn (NB)
What is size 80 in children's clothing? Size 80 in children's clothing is equivalent to 12-18 months in US/UK sizes. The average weight for a child of this size is between 20-28 lbs (9.1 to 12.7 kg) and the height is between 28-32 inches (71.1 to 81.3 cm).
So, if you have a 3-month-old, they will likely be ready to graduate from 0-3 month sizes into 3-6 month sizes if they haven't already. When in doubt, it's best to size up. Babies grow fast and pants and sleeves can be rolled up if an item is too big for your little one.
“My personal rule is considering that the tag means 'up to. ' So if a label says '3 months,' I think of it being about it being able to fit somewhere between 0-3 months, or if it says '6 months,' it can fit somewhere between 3-6 months.”
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