If you’ve ever picked up a European size 38 garment and wondered what that means in UK numbers, you’re not alone. The same label can refer to a dress, a pair of shoes, or a men’s jacket — and each category maps to a different British size.

4 related posts

EU size 38 women’s clothing: UK 10 · EU size 38 women’s shoes: UK 5 · EU size 38 men’s shoes: UK 5.5–6 · EU size 38 regular (clothing): Approx. UK 10–12 · EU size 38 bust (women): 87–89 cm (34–35 in)

Quick snapshot

1Women’s Clothing
2Men’s Clothing
3Women’s Shoes
4Men’s Shoes

Five key equivalences cover the most common questions about size 38 across women’s, men’s and children’s products.

Category Equivalence Source
Women’s dress size EU 38 = UK 10 (US 6) John Lewis
Women’s shoe size EU 38 = UK 5 (US 7.5) ASOS
Men’s shoe size EU 38 = UK 5.5–6 (US 7–7.5) Zalando Lounge
Men’s chest measurement EU 38 = 96 cm (≈38 in) John Lewis
Children’s shoe size 38 UK 5–6 (age 10–12 years) Zalando Lounge

What is a size 38 in clothing?

Size 38 is a European numeric label used across women’s and men’s apparel. Its UK equivalent depends on the garment type.

Size 38 for women’s tops and dresses

  • EU 38 corresponds to UK 10 for women’s clothing (John Lewis).
  • Bust measurement: 87–89 cm (34–35 in) (John Lewis).
  • Waist 69–72 cm, hip 92–95 cm (John Lewis).

The pattern: women’s clothing moves in two-size increments — EU 36 = UK 8, EU 38 = UK 10, EU 40 = UK 12.

Size 38 for men’s clothing

  • EU 38 in men’s apparel typically refers to a chest measurement of 96 cm (approx. 38 in) (John Lewis).
  • This usually fits a slim or small build in UK brands.

The trade-off: a men’s size 38 jacket may be labelled S or XS depending on the retailer, so always check the chest measurement.

What size is a 38 for a woman?

Women encounter size 38 in dresses, pants, and shoes. Each category has a distinct conversion.

Women’s dress size 38

  • EU 38 = UK 10 (US 6) (John Lewis).
  • The dress is designed for a bust of 87–89 cm, waist 69–72 cm, hip 92–95 cm.

Women’s pants size 38

  • EU 38 in trousers corresponds to UK 10 with a waist of 69–72 cm (John Lewis).
  • Hip measurement matches the dress standard (92–95 cm).

Women’s shoe size 38

  • EU 38 = UK 5 (US 7.5) (Foot Locker UK).
  • Foot length approximately 237 mm (ASOS).
Why this matters

A woman who wears a UK 5 shoe will find that EU 38 is her consistent match across most European and British brands, removing guesswork when shopping from continental retailers.

The implication: once you know your EU 38 shoe size, the UK equivalent remains reliable across brands.

Is 38 a size 7 or 8?

This question puzzles many shoppers because shoe size numbering systems differ between regions.

Shoe size conversion for women

  • Women’s EU 38 = UK 5 (not 7 or 8) (Laughing Hens).
  • US equivalent is 7.5 (Wide Fit Shoes).

Shoe size conversion for men

  • Men’s EU 38 = UK 5.5–6 (EMP UK).
  • US equivalent is 7–7.5 (Zalando Lounge).

Children’s shoe size 38

  • EU 38 for children corresponds to UK 5–6 (age 10–12) (Zalando Lounge).

The catch: EU 38 is never a UK 7 or 8 for adults. That confusion arises because US sizes run larger — a women’s UK 7 is US 9, not 38.

Which size is equal to 38?

Three different systems — EU, UK, US — each interpret size 38 differently depending on product category.

Three categories, one common source for comparison: the conversion tables from John Lewis (UK department store size guide) and Fashion Times.

Category EU UK US
Women’s dress 38 10 6
Women’s shoes 38 5 7.5
Men’s shoes 38 5.5–6 7–7.5
Men’s chest 38 38 (in) 38 (in)

What does ‘regular’ mean for size 38?

  • In women’s clothing, EU 38 is often labelled ‘regular’ or ‘medium’ by brands that use letter sizes (John Lewis).
  • For men, a 38 chest is typically a ‘small’ or ‘extra small’ in UK sizing.

The pattern: ‘regular’ indicates a standard proportion (not tall, not petite) at the 38 bust or chest, but the letter association varies.

Is size 38 considered large?

Perceptions of size 38 differ between women’s and men’s wardrobes and across markets.

Size 38 in women’s sizing

  • EU 38 is a UK 10–12, which is a standard or average size in the UK and continental Europe (John Lewis).
  • It is not considered large; large typically begins at EU 44–46 (UK 16+).

Size 38 in men’s sizing

  • A men’s 38 chest is a small or extra small in most UK brands (John Lewis).
  • For men, large chest sizes start around 42–44 in.
The paradox

EU 38 is a medium in women’s apparel but a small in men’s — the same number carries opposite connotations depending on the aisle you’re shopping in.

What this means: size 38 is not a fixed indicator of being large or small—it depends entirely on the garment category.

Confirmed facts and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • EU women’s shoe size 38 = UK 5 (Foot Locker UK, ASOS, Laughing Hens, Wide Fit Shoes)
  • EU men’s shoe size 38 = UK 5.5–6 (EMP UK, Zalando Lounge)
  • EU women’s clothing 38 = UK 10 (John Lewis)
  • Children’s EU 38 shoe = UK 5–6 (ages 10–12) (Zalando Lounge)

What’s unclear

  • Whether a specific brand uses ‘regular’ for size 38 varies — some label it medium, others small (John Lewis)
  • Men’s 38 chest may be labelled XS or S depending on retailer (John Lewis)
  • Some charts (e.g., SportFits.eu) show different mappings, indicating regional variance (SportFits.eu)

ASOS maps women’s UK shoe size 5 to EU 38 with a foot length of 237 mm.

ASOS size guide

John Lewis includes a men’s clothing row showing EU 38 aligned with a UK 38 chest measurement.

John Lewis & Partners

EMP UK’s shoe conversion guide maps UK 5 to EU 38 and gives a foot length range of 24.4–25 cm.

EMP UK

Laughing Hens maps women’s UK 5 to EU 38 and US 7.5.

Laughing Hens

For anyone shopping across borders, the rule is simple: women’s clothing EU 38 is UK 10; women’s shoes EU 38 is UK 5; men’s shoes EU 38 is UK 5.5–6. The pattern is consistent across the major UK retailers. For buyers in Ireland and the UK, the choice is clear: trust the conversions from established store guides, or measure your body and foot length directly.

Additional sources

sellthetrend.com, famousfootwear.com, tkmaxx.com

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Frequently asked questions

How do I convert EU size 38 to US sizes?

For women’s clothing: EU 38 = US 6. For women’s shoes: EU 38 = US 7.5. For men’s shoes: EU 38 = US 7–7.5.

What is the difference between a size 38 and a size 40 in UK?

In women’s clothing, EU 40 = UK 12, so the difference is one UK dress size. In men’s shoes, EU 40 = UK 6.5–7.

Is a EU 38 dress size the same as a medium?

In most UK and European brands, EU 38 is considered a medium (M) in women’s sizing. Some brands label it ‘regular’.

What measurements correspond to size 38 in women’s jeans?

EU 38 jeans typically have a waist of 69–72 cm and hip of 92–95 cm, equivalent to UK 10.

Can size 38 be considered plus size?

No. Plus size usually starts at EU 44–46 (UK 16+). EU 38 is standard to medium.

How to measure yourself for a size 38 shoe?

Measure your foot length from heel to longest toe. For EU 38, it should be 24–24.5 cm. Compare to the size chart of the brand you’re buying.

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