You walk into a clothing store, pick out a knit sweater you like, and then feel confused when the size tag says 44, 55, or 66 instead of S or M. "What do these numbers mean?" you wonder. Actually, these numbers aren't just arbitrary labels — they come from actual body measurements. ## The number that comes from half your bust measurement Korean women's clothing sizes have traditionally been based on bust measurement. If your chest measurement is around 88cm, the size becomes half that, 44; a bit bigger and it's 55; bigger still and it's 66. So 44 is close to what we know as XS or S, 55 is close to S or M, and 66 is close to M or L. It's a labeling system made to point to clothes that fit your body with a single number, so even though it looks unfamiliar, it was actually more specific information than S/M/L. ## Since it differs by brand, check it this way The problem is that these days, the actual size behind 44/55/66 varies slightly depending on the brand and the type of clothing. So instead of trusting only the number on the label, it's most accurate to double-check the shoulder width, chest measurement, and total length in cm on the "actual measurement size chart" posted in stores or online shops. If you're buying clothes at Dongdaemun or from an online shopping mall, make sure to click on the size chart below the product description before choosing.