For many, especially those of us with petite frames, navigating clothing sizes in the United States can feel like a constant challenge. Even when brands offer petite sizing, the fit is often not quite right. This is a common experience, particularly for Asian individuals living in the US who often find standard American sizes to be ill-fitting. The dream of finding clothes that fit perfectly straight off the rack can often seem elusive.
This very struggle led to an exciting discovery during a recent trip to Japan. Rumors abound that popular Japanese chain brands like UNIQLO and Muji, despite having stores in the US, tailor their clothing cuts differently for the Asian market. Could shopping at Uniqlo in Japan finally solve the persistent sizing issues faced in the States? Even with US Uniqlo’s smallest sizes, the fit consistently fell short – torsos and leg lengths were often too long. This was particularly disheartening considering Uniqlo’s Japanese roots, leading to the expectation that the sizing would naturally cater to petite Asian body types.
Initial online research to compare UNIQLO sizing between the US and Japan proved surprisingly unfruitful. Comprehensive comparisons, especially regarding the sizes typically stocked in US versus Japan stores, were hard to come by. This gap in information is what motivated this article – to share a firsthand experience and shed light on the sizing differences. Hopefully, this guide will be invaluable for anyone planning a trip to Japan or Asia with Uniqlo shopping on their itinerary!
Quick Takeaway:
- Generally, Japanese UNIQLO sizing runs approximately one size smaller than the US sizing.
- Beyond just size, the cuts of garments in Japan are noticeably shorter compared to their American counterparts.
Let’s delve deeper into the specifics and examine the size charts to understand these differences in detail.
Unpacking UNIQLO’s US Size Chart
Focusing on the smaller end of the size spectrum, as these are most relevant for this comparison, the US size chart reveals the following for XXS and XS:
Height
- US XXS: 5’1″ – 5’3″
- US XS: 5’1″ – 5’3″
Bust
- US XXS: 29″ – 31″
- US XS: 31″ – 33″
Waist
- US XXS: 22″ – 23″
- US XS: 24″ – 25″
It’s worth noting that finding XXS sizes in US physical stores, even in major cities like New York City, is a rare occurrence. While occasionally available online as part of their extended sizes range, in-store availability is limited.
Discovering UNIQLO’s Japan Size Chart
Here’s where the size story becomes more nuanced. The Japanese sizing chart does not include an XXS size; XS is the smallest available. Let’s compare the XXS and XS US sizes with the XS and S Japan sizes, converting centimeter measurements 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, a key difference emerges in height ranges. Japanese XS caters to a shorter height range (4’9″ – 5’1″) compared to the US XXS and XS (both starting at 5’1″). While US XS and Japanese S share a similar upper height limit (5’3″), Japanese S accommodates individuals an inch shorter at the lower end (5’0″).
Bust
- US XXS: 29″ – 31″
- US XS: 31″ – 33″
- JP XS: 29″ – 31.5″
- JP S: 30″ – 33″
In terms of bust measurements, US XXS and Japanese XS are closely aligned. Similarly, US XS and Japanese S are comparable, with Japanese S slightly accommodating a smaller bust at the lower end (30″ vs 31″ for US XS).
Waist
- US XXS: 22″ – 23″
- US XS: 24″ – 25″
- JP XS: 22″ – 25″
- JP S: 24″ – 26″
Waist measurements reveal that US XXS is smaller than Japanese XS at the lower end (22″ vs 22″-25″). US XS covers up to a 25″ waist, while Japanese S extends slightly larger, accommodating up to a 26″ waist.
Interestingly, just like in US stores, the smallest sizes (XS in Japan) are often scarce in Japanese UNIQLO stores. Stock typically leans towards S, M, and L, suggesting that even in Japan, the smallest sizes might have limited availability in physical locations.
Deciphering the Size Charts: US vs. Japan UNIQLO
Based purely on size charts, Japanese S appears to correspond to US XS in height, bust, and waist measurements. This creates a puzzle. Personal experience consistently showed that US XS sizes from Uniqlo felt too large, while Japanese S sizes seemed to fit perfectly. This discrepancy raised a critical question: Was there a misunderstanding? Was the experience of clothes fitting better in Japan simply a matter of perception, influenced by the excitement of being in Japan? Was it possible that the same items, readily available in the US, were being purchased in Japan under the illusion of a better fit?
The Side-by-Side Size Experiment: Japan S vs. US XS Shirt
To resolve this sizing confusion definitively, a practical experiment was conducted. A direct comparison was made between a Small size shirt purchased from UNIQLO in Japan and the exact same shirt in XS from UNIQLO in the US.
An interesting observation emerged immediately: price variation. The Japanese UNIQLO shirt was priced under $20 USD equivalent, while the US version retailed for nearly $30 USD, suggesting potential cost savings when purchasing in Japan.
The shirts were laid flat on a table, US XS first, followed by Japan S on top, carefully aligning collars, shoulders, sleeves, and body.
The visual comparison was striking. As clearly depicted in the photos below, the Japan S shirt exhibited sleeves and a hem at least an inch shorter than the US XS counterpart. The body width, however, appeared virtually identical.
The experiment conclusively demonstrated that despite seemingly similar size chart measurements, the Japanese S and US XS are not equivalent in cut. The Japanese cut features significantly shorter sleeves and overall shirt length. This fundamental difference in cut explains why the Japanese sizes provide a much better fit for petite body types.
Pants and Jeans: Further Sizing Nuances
The sizing differences extend beyond just tops. With pants, even though US XS and Japanese S are theoretically designed for similar height ranges, Japanese S pants feel shorter and slimmer, particularly in the hip and seat areas. While size charts might suggest comparable dimensions, the actual fit indicates a slimmer cut in Japanese sizing, likely tailored for individuals who are slightly shorter and have smaller hip measurements compared to the intended US XS customer.
Jeans sizing revealed another interesting facet. A size 22 (56 cm) in Japan UNIQLO jeans was a comfortable fit. In contrast, US UNIQLO rarely stocks anything smaller than a size 25, and even in other US brands, a size 24 is usually required (like in J Brand jeans). Trying on a size 24 in Japan resulted in an overwhelmingly large fit. This raises a fascinating question: Could Japanese pants sizing potentially employ “vanity sizing,” in contrast to US sizing norms? The experience suggests a possibility, but further investigation would be needed for a definitive answer.
Bonus Tip: Shopping Smarter at UNIQLO Japan
For the ultimate UNIQLO shopping experience in Japan, the UNIQLO Tokyo flagship store in Ginza is a must-visit. Spanning 12 floors, this global flagship offers the most extensive product selection imaginable. From dedicated floors showcasing best-selling items and special collaborations to multiple floors for women’s, men’s, and children’s wear, the Ginza store is a treasure trove. It consistently stocks a wider range of sizes and colors, often including items sold out in other locations.
For international visitors, tax-free shopping at UNIQLO is a significant perk. Purchases exceeding 5000 JPY are eligible for tax exemption. Depending on the store, tax-free processing might be available at dedicated counters (like in the Shibuya Spanish Steps location) or at any register (as in the Ginza flagship). Always inquire about tax-free options to maximize your savings.
Happy shopping adventures in Japan! If this article proved helpful, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
For more insights into Japan travel, explore related articles such as How to Order at Ichiran Ramen in Japan and other Japan travel guides.
