Is there a global sizing standard?
-
Is there a global sizing standard?
We are frequently asked why Iron Heart sizing is different from some other (mainly western) brands.
Most importantly, there is no global standard for clothes sizes, there never has been and I suspect there never will be. There are not national standards either, so saying for instance that you are a US Large is completely meaningless. Brands choose how they determine sizing, end of.
So for example, just because you have always been an M in Ralph Lauren, does not mean that you will be an M in Japanese or British, or indeed some other US brands.
Sizing varies between geographies because peoples size and shape varies between geographies. In The Netherlands, the average male height is a tad over 6 feet and weight is 194lbs, in the USA 5' 8" and 200lbs, and in Japan 5' 6" and 155lbs
The brand that most gets this geographical variance in body size, in my opinion, is Shimano Lifestyle Gear. Here is a sizing label from one of their garments, to me, this truly illustrates that they understand that clothes sizing is a variable based on geography….
Sizing varies with time. The average weight of a male in the US was 165 lbs in 1990 and in 2020 it is 185lbs.
The above are the reasons that:
- We publish sizing tables per garment
- We have links to videos showing how we measure, and thus how a customer can check sizing of something he/she has that fits well
- We reach out to check whether a customer is sure of their sizing before we ship an order. Yeah, it's a pain for all concerned, but far better we try and get the customer something that fits, than have the disappointment, hassle and expense of returning something that does not fit
-
More data…..
Historical increase in size
In almost all countries of the world, the average body size has increased significantly over the last 100 years. While German men were still approximately 13 cm smaller at the beginning of the 20th century, Spanish men increased over 14 cm and Iranians even over 16 cm. With the women, the height of South-Korean-women rose by over 20 cm.These drastic increases are unique in the history of mankind. In no phase of the evolution humans became so much bigger, as since the industrial revolution at the end of the 18. century. In the preceding 1000 years both men and women did not grow at all on average and before that only by 1-2 cm per 1000 years.
-
Sizing varies between geographies because peoples size and shape varies between geographies. In The Netherlands, the average male height is a tad over 6 feet and weight is 194lbs, in the USA 5' 8" and 200lbs, and in Japan 5' 6" and 155lbs
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Japan: 25.0
Netherlands: 25.6
USA: 30.4We win again, losers! USA!!! USA!!! USA!!!
-
The OP also needs to be a sticky in the Facebook group. Perhaps with an explanation of why a small brand like IH doesn’t have any incentive to make a size 8XL.
-
Sizing varies between geographies because peoples size and shape varies between geographies. In The Netherlands, the average male height is a tad over 6 feet and weight is 194lbs, in the USA 5' 8" and 200lbs, and in Japan 5' 6" and 155lbs
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Japan: 25.0
Netherlands: 25.6
USA: 30.4We win again, losers! USA!!! USA!!! USA!!!
Somewhat tangential, but I remember back when I lived in Japan I had to do an annual health check through my employer. The doctor gave me a summary at the end and said everything was just fine apart from my being overweight. I'm 5'10" and back then had a 30" waist. No idea what I weighed, but couldn't have been more than 165 lbs I'm guessin'.
I did not take him seriously.
Especially when one considers all of the additional health issues that come with it.