Size category
Women's bottoms (jeans, pants, skirts)
Korean denim follows Western inch waist (24-32). Skirts and trousers use S/M/L.
Korean women's denim is sized in inches (waist), which makes the conversion deceptively easy for US shoppers. A Korean 26 jean targets a 26-inch waist - same nominal sizing as Levi's, AG, Mother. The trap: Korean denim runs roughly one inch tighter than the printed label because Korean denim mills standardise on the un-stretched measurement. A Korean 27 in denim fits closer to a Western 26 on the day.
Skirts, trousers, and shorts that are not denim follow a letter-size scheme (XS / S / M / L / XL) tied to the bust + hip combined. Korean tops + bottoms are sometimes cut to be co-sized: a 66 top and a 28 jean both fit a Korean M body. Where you have to pick one or the other, denim inch is the more reliable signal for fit.
Two practical points. First, Korean denim brands (CHUU's "Minus 5kg", Vibrate, ROOK) often print a label that intentionally undersizes - the "Minus 5kg" line runs a full inch tighter than the printed size. Try before you buy. Second, Korean skirts and trousers cut for the Korean median female height (~161 cm) often hit shorter than the Western expectation; petite-sized Western shoppers find the rise sits exactly where intended, taller frames find skirts hit higher than the photo suggests.
Conversion table
| KR (in) | KR letter | JP | US | UK | EU | Waist (cm) | Hip (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | XS | 5 | 0-2 | 4-6 | 32-34 | 60-62 | 84-86 |
| 25 | S | 7 | 2-4 | 6-8 | 34-36 | 63-65 | 87-89 |
| 26 | S | 7 | 2-4 | 6-8 | 34-36 | 66-68 | 90-92 |
| 27 | M | 9 | 4-6 | 8-10 | 36-38 | 69-71 | 93-95 |
| 28 | M | 9 | 4-6 | 8-10 | 36-38 | 72-74 | 96-98 |
| 29 | L | 11 | 6-8 | 10-12 | 38-40 | 75-77 | 99-101 |
| 30 | L | 11 | 8-10 | 12-14 | 40-42 | 78-80 | 102-104 |
| 31 | XL | 13 | 10-12 | 14-16 | 42-44 | 81-83 | 105-107 |
| 32 | XL | 13 | 10-12 | 14-16 | 42-44 | 84-86 | 108-110 |
How to read your size
- Measure your natural waist in inches. Add 0.5-1 inch for ease.
- Match to the closest Korean inch label.
- If between two sizes, size up - Korean denim runs tighter than printed.
- For non-denim trousers and skirts, use the letter equivalent.
Fit notes
- Korean denim runs ~1 inch tighter than printed label.
- Brand "Minus 5kg" / "shape-up" lines run even tighter.
- Rise sits at Korean median waist height; petite frames get true-to-photo, taller frames get higher rise.
- Hip-to-waist ratio assumes Korean median body shape; pear-shaped Western buyers may size up on hip.
Brand quirks
- CHUU Denim, inch waist. "Minus 5kg" jean fits one inch tighter than printed.
- Vibrate Skater / wide leg. True to printed inch.
- ROOK Slim Y2K. Size up half a size.
Other size categories
Sources
Last verified 2026-05-24.
