Decoding Women's Clothing Sizes: What is a Euro Size 42 in US?

Navigating women’s clothing sizes can often feel like deciphering a secret code. With varied sizing systems across the globe, it’s no wonder confusion arises, especially when converting between European and US sizes. If you’ve ever wondered “What is a Euro size 42 in US sizes?”, you’re not alone. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of women’s size conversions, ensuring you find the perfect fit, whether you’re shopping online or abroad.

Understanding women’s sizing complexity is the first step. Unlike men’s and children’s sizes which are generally more straightforward, women’s clothing incorporates various body types, including petite, tall, and curvy, in addition to standard, plus, and maternity sizes. Then there’s “vanity sizing,” a practice where clothing sizes are labeled smaller than actual measurements to flatter customers. To accurately determine your size, understanding your body measurements is key.

Essential Body Measurements for Women’s Clothing

To accurately convert sizes and ensure a good fit, you’ll need to take a few key body measurements:

Chest: Measure around the fullest part of your bust, keeping the tape measure level.
Waist: Find the narrowest point of your natural waist, typically around your belly button or slightly above.
Hips (First Hip/Low Waist): Measure around the point between your hip bone and your waist.
Hips (Second Hip): Measure around the fullest part of your hips and buttocks.
Height: Stand straight against a wall and measure from the top of your head to the floor.
Arm Length: Measure from the edge of your shoulder to your wrist with your arm slightly bent.

Once you have these measurements, you can confidently use size charts to find your corresponding size in different systems.

Woman measuring her waist for clothing sizes

General Women’s Clothing Size Chart: US vs. International

This chart provides a general overview of women’s clothing sizes, including US sizes and corresponding measurements. Keep in mind that these are general guidelines, and sizes can vary slightly between brands and clothing styles.

General Size	US Size	Chest (Inches)	Waist (Inches)	Hips (Inches)
XS	0	32	24	34.5
XS	2	33	25	35.5
S	4	34	26	36.5
S	6	35	27	37.5
M	8	36	28	38.5
M	10	37	29	39.5
L	12	38.5	30.5	41
L	14	40	32	42.5
XL	16	41.5	33.5	44
XL	18	43	35	45.5

Women’s Size Conversion Chart: International to US

For quick conversions, especially when dealing with European sizes, this chart is invaluable. It shows how US sizes relate to UK, German, French, and Italian sizing systems. Specifically, to answer the question about Euro size 42 to US, you’ll find the answer here.

International size	US size	UK size	German size	French size	Italian size
XS	0	4	30	32	36
XS	2	6	32	34	38
S	4	8	34	36	40
S	6	10	36	38	42
M	8	12	38	40	44
M	10	14	40	42	46
L	12	16	42	44	48
L	14	18	44	46	50
XL	16	20	46	48	52
XL	18	22	48	50	54
XXL	20	24	50	52	56
XXL	22	26	52	54	58

According to this chart, a Euro size 42 generally converts to a US size 10. However, for more specific clothing items like pants or jeans, further details are needed.

Women’s Pants Size Chart: Euro Size 42 to US

Pants sizing can be particularly tricky. This chart provides a more detailed look at pant sizes, including waist and hip measurements, and specifically addresses Euro size 42 in US pants sizes.

Waist (Inch)	Hips (Inch)	US Size / International	Euro Size	Waist (CM)	Hips (CM)
24 – 25	33 – 34	XXS	32	61 – 63	84 – 87
25 – 26	35 – 36	XS	34	64 – 66	88 – 91
27 – 28	37 – 38	S	36	67 – 70	92 – 95
28 – 29	38 – 39	S	38	71 – 74	96 – 98
29 – 30	39 – 40	M	40	75 – 78	99 – 101
31 – 32	40 – 41	M	42	79 – 82	102 – 104
33 – 34	41 – 42	L	44	83 – 87	105 – 108
35 – 37	43 – 44	L	46	88 – 93	109 – 112
38 – 39	44 – 45	XL	48	94 – 99	113 – 116
40 – 41	46 – 48	XL	50	100 – 106	117 – 121
42 – 43	48 – 50	XXL	52	107 – 112	122 – 126
44 – 46	50 – 52	XXL	54	113 – 119	127 – 132
47 – 49	53 – 54	3XL	56	120 – 126	133 – 138
50 – 52	55 – 57	3XL	58	127 – 133	139 – 144
53 – 55	57 – 59	4XL	60	134 – 140	145 – 150
56 – 58	60 – 61	4XL	62	141 – 147	151 – 156

For pants, a Euro size 42 corresponds to a US size Medium (M), and typically fits a waist of 31-32 inches and hips of 40-41 inches.

Women’s Pant Size Conversion Chart: US to International

This chart focuses specifically on pant size conversions, allowing you to easily find your international pant size if you know your US size.

US / International Size	UK Size	Euro Size	French Size	Italian Size
3XS	2	28	30	34
XXS	4	30	32	36
XS	6	32	34	38
S	8	34	36	40
M	10	36	38	42
L	12	38	40	44
XL	14	40	42	46

Women’s Jeans Size Chart: Finding Your Perfect Fit

Jeans sizing can be even more brand-specific. This chart helps you understand general jeans size conversions based on waist measurements and European sizes.

Waist (Inch)	US Jeans Size	Euro Size	Waist (CM)
24	0	32	61
24.5	2	32	63
25.5	4	34	65
26.5	6	34	67
27.5	8	36	70
28.5	10	38	73
30.5	12	40	77
31.5	14	42	80
33	16	42	84
34	18	44	86

While Euro size 42 is listed with US Jeans size 14 and 16 in this chart, it’s important to note the waist measurement of 31.5 and 33 inches, which aligns more closely with the pants chart indicating a US size M or potentially L depending on the brand’s vanity sizing. Always check the brand’s specific size chart for jeans.

Other Apparel Sizes: Shirts, Sweaters, and Jackets

Women’s Shirt and Sweater Sizes

US / International Size	UK Size	Euro Size	French Size	Italian Size
XS	6	32	34	38
XS	8	34	36	40
S	10	36	38	42
S	11	37	39	43
M	12	38	40	44
M	13	39	41	45
L	14	40	42	46
L	15	41	43	47
XL	16	42	44	48

Women’s Jacket Sizes

Chest width (inch)	Hip width (inch)	US size	European clothing size	Chest width (cm)	Hip width (cm)
29 – 30	33 – 34	XXS	32	74 – 77	84 – 87
31 – 32	35 – 36	XS	34	78 – 81	88 – 91
32 – 33	36 – 37	S	36	82 – 85	92 – 95
33 – 34	37 – 38	M	38	86 – 89	96 – 98
34 – 36	39 – 40	L	40	90 – 93	99 – 101
37 – 38	40 – 41	L	42	94 – 97	102 – 104
38 – 39	41 – 42	XL	44	98 – 102	105 – 108
40 – 41	43 – 44	XL	46	103 – 107	109 – 112
42 – 43	45 – 46	XXL	48	108 – 113	113 – 116

Bra Size Chart

Finding the right bra size requires a separate, detailed guide. For accurate bra sizing, refer to this comprehensive bra size guide.

Women’s Shoe Sizes

Inch	UK Shoe Size	US Shoe Size	Euro Shoe Size	French Shoe Size	Italian Shoe Size
8.25	1	4	34	35	34
8.5	1.5	4.5	34.5	35.5	34.5
8.625	2	5	35	36	35
8.75	2.5	5.5	35.5	36.5	35.5
9	3	6	36	37	36
9.125	3.5	6.5	36.5	37.5	36.5
9.25	4	7	37	38	37
9.5	4.5	7.5	37.5	38.5	37.5
9.625	5	8	38	39	38
9.75	5.5	8.5	38.5	39.5	38.5
10	6	9	39	40	39
10.125	6.5	9.5	39.5	40.5	39.5
10.25	7	10	40	41	40
10.5	7.5	10.5	40.5	41.5	40.5
10.625	8	11	41	42	41

In conclusion, while generally a Euro size 42 in women’s clothing translates to a US size 10, for pants, it’s closer to a US size Medium. Always consider the specific garment type, brand size charts, and your own body measurements for the most accurate fit. Use these charts as a helpful starting point in your size conversion journey.

Decoding Women’s Clothing Sizes: What is a Euro Size 42 in US?