Clothes

METRICATION:  50% complete
	Metric	Non-metric
	Men’s shirt sizes in centimetres.	Men’s shirt sizes in inches.
	Children’s clothing in metric sizes, coded to age.	Women’s dresses in size numbers.

Clothing metrication leaflet – 1974

Men’s wear

Shirts

Shirt sizes are given by the size of the collar. This is equal to the circumference of the neck plus at least 1 cm for comfort.

Old size (inches)	Dual unit labelling	Metric size (cm)
11	11 in 28 cm	28
11½	11½ in 29 cm	29
12	12 in 30‑31 cm	30
		31
12½	12½ in 32 cm	32
13	13 in 33 cm	33
13½	13½ in 34‑35 cm	34
		35
14	14 in 36 cm	36
14½	14½ in 37 cm	37
15	15 in 38 cm	38
15½	15½ in 39‑40 cm	39
		40
16	16 in 41 cm	41
16½	16½ in 42 cm	42
17	17 in 43 cm	43
17½	17½ in 44‑45 cm	44
		45
18	18 in 46 cm	46

In 1974, dual-unit labelling was introduced for shirt sizes. When shirt manufacturing goes fully metric, it is expected that sizes 31 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm and 45 cm, will be added to the range available to the customer. In 1974, this was anticipated to happen by the end of 1975. As of 2022, we are still in the dual-unit transition stage.

Hats

Metric hat sizes are equal to the circumference of the head in centimetres.

Old size	Metric size (cm)
6¼	51
6⅜	52
6½	53
6⅝	54
6¾	55
6⅞	56
7	57
7⅛	58
7¼	59
7⅜	60
7½	61

Women’s wear

Clothing metrication magazine advertisement – 1974

Body measurements

Size number	Bust (cm)	Hips (cm)
8	78‑82	83‑87
10	82‑86	87‑91
12	86‑90	91‑95
14	90‑94	95‑99
16	95‑99	100‑104
18	100‑104	105‑109
20	105‑109	110‑114
22	110‑114	115‑119
24	115‑119	120‑124
26	120‑124	125‑129
28	125‑129	130‑134
30	130‑134	135‑139
32	135‑139	140‑144

Bust

Size number	Old size	Metric size (cm)
10	32 in	81
12	34 in	86
14	36 in	91
16	38 in	97
18	40 in	102
20	42 in	107
22	44 in	112
24	46 in	117
26	48 in	122
28	50 in	127
30	52 in	132

Waist

Size number	Old size	Metric size (cm)
10	23 in	58
12	24 in	61
14	26 in	66
16	28 in	71
18	30 in	76
20	32 in	81
22	34 in	86
24	36 in	91
26	38 in	97
28	40 in	102
30	42 in	107

Hips

Size number	Old size	Metric size (cm)
10	34 in	86
12	36 in	91
14	38 in	97
16	40 in	102
18	42 in	107
20	44 in	112
22	46 in	117
24	48 in	122
26	50 in	127
28	52 in	132
30	54 in	137

Children’s wear

Following metrication, children’s wear labelling continued size markings based on age and height, and, in the case of baby wear, weight.

The British Standards Institution drew up the following table for the guidance of manufacturers of children’s wear. For boys and girls, sizing is based on height in 6 cm steps. The measurements above 5 years of age relate only to girls.

Body measurements

Age	Height (cm)	Chest (cm)	Waist (cm)	Weight (kg)
3 months	62	45		5.5
6 months	68	46		8
9 months	74	48		9.5
12 months	80	50	50	11
18 months	86	52	51	12.5
2 years	92	53	52
3 years	98	55	53
4 years	104	57	54
5 years	110	59	55
6 years	116	61	57
7 years	122	63	58
8 years	128	66	59
9 years	134	69	61
10 years	140	72	62
11 years	146	76	63
12 years	152	79	64
13 years	158	83	66
14‑15 years	164	87	67

An in-store school wear height guide – 2012