A 160/84A-style clothing label carries more information than a simple S or M. It usually combines height, bust or chest and a body-type letter.
Quick answer: in a label such as 165/88A, 165 usually refers to height in centimeters, 88 refers to bust or chest in centimeters, and A is a common body-type code.
| Label | Height anchor | Bust/chest anchor | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160/84A | 160 cm | 84 cm | Small women's tops or slim upper-body fit |
| 165/88A | 165 cm | 88 cm | Medium women's tops or light jackets |
| 170/92A | 170 cm | 92 cm | Large women's tops or smaller men's labels |
| 175/96A | 175 cm | 96 cm | Men's shirts, jackets or larger women's outerwear |
The first number is usually the body height the garment is designed around. The second number is usually a key upper-body measurement such as bust or chest. This makes the label useful when a marketplace page gives no US size.
The letter after the numbers is a body-type code. A is common in ordinary retail labels, but it should not be treated as a tailoring guarantee. The garment's cut, fabric and seller chart can still change the fit.
A fitted shirt and an oversized hoodie can both point to the same body-code label while using different garment ease. A coat may need extra room over inner layers. A stretch knit may tolerate a tighter measurement than a woven blouse.
Use the label as the starting point, then compare the seller's centimeter chart. If the chart gives finished garment measurements, compare those to a garment you already own rather than to bare body measurements.
Start with the Chinese size to US women's converter, then verify bust, waist, shoulder and length in the seller chart.
Use the Chinese men's size to US converter for shirt, jacket and pants labels, then check chest or waist.
For children's listings, age labels are weaker than height and centimeter measurements. Use the Chinese kids clothing size chart.