Kate BiolTravelling to Korea has never been more popular — and it’s easy to see why. The Hallyu wave (or Korean wave) has taken the world by storm, drawing travellers who are eager to experience Korea’s vibrant culture, stunning nature, addictive entertainment, delicious food, and of course, its amazing shopping scene.
Seoul in particular is often hailed as a shopping paradise for fashion lovers and K-pop fans alike. From trendy boutiques in Hongdae to mega malls in Gangnam, you’ll find plenty of stylish picks to bring home. But before you jump on the next flight to Seoul for a shopping spree, there’s one important thing you should know: Korean clothing sizes can be very different from what you’re used to back home.
Shoppers from Singapore (and many other countries) are generally more familiar with international sizing standards such as US, UK, or European sizes. In Korea, however, clothing sizes follow a different system — and without the right reference, it’s easy to pick out the wrong fit for yourself, your family, or your friends.
To make things easier, we’ve put together some handy Korean size conversion charts below. Save them to your phone and use them as a quick reference while shopping in Korea. Trust us, they’ll save you time, confusion, and maybe even a few returns!
Korean clothing sizes for women and men
Shopping for Korean clothes can be a little tricky, especially for females, because sizes are measured according to Korean frames. For example, a Korean female extra-large size is equivalent to an American large size.
The most produced size for women’s clothing is “55” (international size “S”) and many trendy Korean brands do not carry sizes larger than “66” (also international size “S”). This may cause disappointment to women whose bodies usually fit into international size “M” or larger. Men, on the other hand, are less likely to come across this problem as the whole range of international sizes from “XS” to “XL” are commonly produced and found in stores.
Many stores that sell less-commercialised brands carry free sizes. Free-sized clothing is supposed to fit many average-sized bodies but one can never be too sure. If there is a chance to try it on before buying, please do. Otherwise, you can try to gauge the size of the item by measuring it against similar clothing items with a stated size.
Korean shoe sizes
For shoes, major Korean brands provide custom-made services if your size is not available. There is no extra charge for this service, but delivery charges may apply for some stores.
Korean clothing sizes for babies and children
For children’s clothing, labels have height and weight specified on them instead of age, and this tends to be a better indicator of size. If it is not possible to bring the child along during the shopping trip, do remember to note down the height and weight of the child.
With these handy size conversion charts, you are now more than ready to embark on your shopping mission in the streets of Korea!
