People's sizes vary in two basic ways: height and width. Austrians have a distinct size system for their jackets and trousers. As with most size systems, one designation is used for tops and bottoms, but the numbers refer to the tops only. No worries! Our thoroughbred investigators have dug up measurements to help you out.
| Size | Waist (cm) | Waist (in) | Austrian size |
|---|---|---|---|
| X-Small | 72 cm | 28.5" | 80-84 |
| Small | 80 cm | 31.5" | 88-92 |
| Medium | 88 cm | 34.5" | 96-100 |
| Large | 98 cm | 38.5" | 104-108 |
| X-Large | 108 cm | 42.5" | 112-116 |
| 2X-Large | 116 cm | 45.5" | 120-124 |
| 3X-Large | 124 cm | 49" | 128-132 |
| Length | Inseam (cm) | Inseam (in) | Austrian size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short | 70 cm | 27.5" | I-II |
| Regular | 76 cm | 30" | III-IV |
| Long | 82 cm | 32" | V-VI |
| X-Long | 88 cm | 34.5" | VII-VIII |
The actual waistband of the trousers is often the top limit for the user's waist measurement. The waist is measured slightly below the navel with military trousers as the waistband sits high. You can also take existing trousers that fit, measure the waistband flat, and multiply by two.
Do note that most size systems refer to the user's measurements: if the garment is supposed to have a loose fit (e.g., shell trousers), pick the recommended size anyway. The manufacturers design a suitable amount of clearance for the clothes to be worn over everything else.
If you went through the table with precision, you might have noticed that the difference between chest circumference and waist gets smaller as the sizes grow. This difference is 12 cm for sizes Small and Medium, 10 cm for Large and 8 cm for X-Large and 2X-Large. When the body type is normal and the chest becomes larger, the waist usually becomes larger a bit faster.