Size category
Women's tops
Korean numeric sizing for women's tops, blouses, knits, and tees. 44 to 99.
Korean women's tops follow the numeric sizing system standardised under KS K 0050 (Korean industrial standard for women's ready-to-wear). The numbers - 44, 55, 66, 77, 88, 99 - are not arbitrary; they trace back to mid-20th-century Korean grading. Most non-Korean visitors meet this system for the first time at Olive Young's beauty-adjacent fashion floors, at Musinsa flagship Hongdae, or at Apgujeong Rodeo street brand shops, where the label may show only the number (no S/M/L equivalent).
The conversion rule of thumb: 44 = XS, 55 = S, 66 = M, 77 = L, 88 = XL, 99 = XXL. But Korean cuts run roughly one size smaller than Western (a Korean 66 / M fits closer to a Western S in the bust). Tall Western visitors should size up especially on tees and knits, which are cut for the Korean median height (around 161 cm for women per Korean Statistical Information Service).
The label split is bimodal across the market: Korean-domestic brands (MIXXMIX, STYLENANDA, FREDDY) tend to label only the numeric size. Global-export brands and Korean brands on Musinsa-international (Andersson Bell, ADER, MATIN KIM) usually carry both the number AND the letter (e.g. "66 / M"). Free Size - common on Instagram-native brands - is the most fit-unforgiving label: it usually targets a Korean S body and does not stretch to a Western M.
Conversion table
| KR | KR letter | JP | US | UK | EU | Bust (cm) | Height (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | XS | 5 | 0-2 | 4-6 | 32-34 | 80-83 | 150-155 |
| 55 | S | 7 | 2-4 | 6-8 | 34-36 | 84-87 | 155-160 |
| 66 | M | 9 | 4-6 | 8-10 | 36-38 | 88-91 | 160-165 |
| 77 | L | 11 | 6-8 | 10-12 | 38-40 | 92-95 | 165-170 |
| 88 | XL | 13 | 8-10 | 12-14 | 40-42 | 96-99 | 170-175 |
| 99 | XXL | 15 | 10-12 | 14-16 | 42-44 | 100-103 | 170+ |
How to read your size
- Find your bust measurement in cm.
- Match to the closest row.
- If your row falls between two sizes, size up - Korean cuts run slim.
- For tees and knits, size up by one if you are above 170 cm.
Fit notes
- Korean cuts run ~1 size smaller than Western equivalent.
- Free Size = XS / S only; intentional oversize on certain brands does not stretch above Western M.
- Length sits shorter on Western 170+ frames; crop tops sit even shorter.
- Shoulder seams sit narrower than Western brands at the same nominal size.
Brand quirks
- MATIN KIM Free Size only on most pieces. Fits XS-S, intentional oversize drape on outerwear.
- Mardi Mercredi Free Size with intentional oversize drape.
- CHUU Slim cut; size up if you are between Korean sizes.
- ADER Error Oversized. Size DOWN one for regular fit.
- STYLENANDA Slim. Size up; especially on knits.
Other size categories
Sources
Last verified 2026-05-24.
