As a petite individual navigating the world of fashion in the United States, finding clothes that fit perfectly off the rack can often feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. While some US retailers offer petite sizing, the styles and cuts frequently miss the mark. This ongoing struggle led to considerable excitement during my recent trip to Japan, fueled by whispers of how Japanese sizing in popular chain stores like UNIQLO and Muji – brands also present in the US – are tailored with distinct cuts for the Asian markets. Could Japan hold the key to better fitting clothes compared to my experiences in American stores? Even when opting for the smallest sizes at UNIQLO in the US, the fit consistently fell short, often too long in the torso or legs. This was particularly puzzling, considering the brand’s Japanese origins, leading to the assumption that sizing would naturally cater to petite Asian frames.
Prior to my trip, online research yielded limited comprehensive comparisons between UNIQLO sizing in the US versus Japan, especially regarding the sizes typically stocked in each market. This gap in information motivated me to share my firsthand experience. Hopefully, this guide will prove invaluable for anyone planning a trip to Japan or Asia with UNIQLO on their shopping list!
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In a nutshell:
- UNIQLO Japanese sizing generally runs one size smaller than its US counterpart.
- Furthermore, garments in Japan are consistently designed with a shorter cut compared to those sold in American UNIQLO stores.
Let’s delve into the specifics and examine the sizing charts to understand these differences in detail.
UNIQLO’s US Sizing Chart
Focusing on the smallest sizes, which are most relevant to this comparison, the US sizing chart indicates the following for women:
Height
- US XXS: 5’1″-5’3″
- US XS: 5’1″-5’3″
Bust
- US XXS: 29-31 inches
- US XS: 31-33 inches
Waist
- US XXS: 22-23 inches
- US XS: 24-25 inches
It’s worth noting that the XXS size is rarely found in US physical stores, even in major cities like NYC where one might expect a broader selection. While XXS is sometimes available online in the US as part of their extended sizes range, in-store availability is limited. This already hints at a difference in how “big” or rather, how inclusive, the size range is between the two markets.
UNIQLO’s Japan Sizing Chart
Here’s where the comparison becomes truly insightful. The Japanese sizing chart does not include an XXS size; XS is the smallest available. Let’s compare the XXS and XS US sizes to the XS and S Japanese sizes. Centimeter measurements have been rounded to the nearest inch for easier comparison.
Height
- US XXS: 5’1″-5’3″
- US XS: 5’1″-5’3″
- JP XS: 4’9″-5’1″
- JP S: 5’0″-5’3″
Immediately, we see a difference in height range for the XS size. Japanese XS is designed for a shorter height range compared to the US XS, which starts at 5’1″. However, the US XS and Japanese S overlap significantly, both accommodating individuals up to 5’3″ in height. Interestingly, the Japanese S also caters to women as short as 5 feet tall, an inch shorter than the minimum height for US XS. This suggests that when considering height, Japan sizing may cater to a slightly smaller frame compared to America.
Bust
- US XXS: 29-31 inches
- US XS: 31-33 inches
- JP XS: 29-31.5 inches
- JP S: 30-33 inches
In terms of bust measurements, the US XXS and Japanese XS are very similar, covering roughly the same range. The US XS and Japanese S are also comparable, both fitting bust sizes up to 33 inches. Again, the Japanese S starts slightly smaller at 30 inches, indicating a potentially more tailored fit for smaller frames.
Waist
- US XXS: 22-23 inches
- US XS: 24-25 inches
- JP XS: 22-25 inches
- JP S: 24-26 inches
Analyzing waist measurements, the US XXS accommodates a 2-inch smaller waist than the Japanese XS at the lower end. The US XS fits waists up to 25 inches, while the Japanese S extends to 26 inches. This again suggests that Japanese sizing, even when seemingly equivalent to US sizes on paper, may offer a subtly more generous fit at the larger end, while also catering to smaller frames with sizes like XS being more readily available and designed for a shorter stature.
One consistent observation in Japanese UNIQLO stores mirrors the US experience: the smallest sizes are often scarce. During my visits in Japan, XS sizes were rarely in stock, with S, M, and L being the most commonly available sizes on the racks. This could indicate high demand for smaller sizes in both markets, or a general stocking strategy focused on more standard sizes.
US vs Japan UNIQLO Sizing: Decoding the Charts
Based purely on sizing charts, Japanese S and US XS appear to target individuals with similar height, bust, and waist measurements. This initial comparison led to confusion. My personal experience in US UNIQLO stores with XS sizes consistently resulted in ill-fitting clothes – often feeling too large. Conversely, in Japan, trying on Japanese S sizes felt like a perfect fit.
This discrepancy sparked a crucial question: Had I mistakenly invested time and effort shopping in UNIQLO Japan only to acquire items essentially identical to those available stateside? Was the perception of a better fit in Japan merely a self-deception, influenced by the novelty of being in Japan? The idea that the “size” of the shopping experience, influenced by location and perception, could be misleading was intriguing.
Side-by-Side Size Comparison: UNIQLO Shirt Japan S vs United States XS
To resolve this sizing puzzle and for my own peace of mind, I conducted a practical experiment. I compared a Small size shirt purchased at UNIQLO in Japan with the exact same shirt in XS from a UNIQLO store in the US.
Alt text: Close-up of a UNIQLO shirt tag from Japan, size S, showing Japanese text and price in Yen.
An immediate observation was the price difference. The Japanese UNIQLO shirt was priced under $20 USD equivalent, while the US version retailed for nearly $30 USD, highlighting another aspect of how “big” the difference can be beyond just size.
I laid the US XS shirt flat on a table and placed the Japan S shirt directly on top, carefully aligning the collars, shoulders, sleeves, and body.
The visual comparison revealed that the Japan S sleeves and hem were noticeably shorter by at least an inch compared to the US XS shirt. The body width, however, appeared to be virtually identical.
The experiment confirmed that despite the sizing charts suggesting similar measurements for Japan S and US XS, the Japanese cut features shorter sleeves and overall shirt length. This crucial difference definitively explains why the Asian version provides a significantly better fit for petite frames like mine. It’s not just about the numerical size, but the “size” of the cut and how it’s proportioned.
UNIQLO Pants and Jean Sizing
Regarding pants, my experience suggests that even though US XS and Japanese S are theoretically designed for similar height ranges, Japanese S pants are cut shorter and slimmer, particularly in the hips and seat. While sizing charts might imply comparable dimensions, the practical fit indicates a slimmer silhouette for Japanese sizes. This is likely because Japanese S is intended for individuals slightly shorter and with smaller hip measurements than the US XS, resulting in a generally more slender cut.
In jeans, I found myself needing a size 22 (56 cm waist) in UNIQLO Japan. In US UNIQLO stores, sizes smaller than 25 are rarely available. Conversely, in Japan, size 22 is commonly stocked as one of the smallest options. Interestingly, my typical US jeans size is 24 (J Brand). Trying on size 24 in Japan UNIQLO jeans resulted in an excessively loose fit. This raises the question of whether Japanese pants sizing employs vanity sizing, in contrast to US sizing – a perplexing aspect of size variations across markets.
Bonus: Tips for Shopping at UNIQLO Stores in Japan
For the most extensive UNIQLO product selection, a visit to the world’s largest UNIQLO store in Tokyo’s Ginza district is essential. This flagship store spans 12 floors, featuring dedicated sections for best-selling items, special collaborations, extensive women’s and men’s clothing ranges across multiple floors, and a children’s clothing floor. The Ginza store boasts the widest variety of sizes and colors, often stocking items sold out at other locations.
For tourists, tax-free shopping at UNIQLO is a significant benefit, applicable to purchases exceeding 5000 YEN. Depending on the store, tax-free processing may be available at dedicated tax-free cashiers (as at the Shibuya Spanish Steps location) or at any register (as in the Ginza store). Always inquire about tax-free options to maximize your shopping experience.
Happy shopping! Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below if you found this article helpful.
Explore more Japan travel insights in my other articles like How to Order at Ichiran Ramen in Japan.
