Finding Chico’s clothing that flatters your body and elevates your style? That’s easy! Finding your Chico’s size? Also easy—once you learn how to navigate Chico’s unique sizing system. Chico’s sizing uses a unique numerical scale running from 000 to 4 (rather than the standard US 0–22).

Here’s how to figure that out, and also a little history on why Chico’s sizes (and designs) clothing differently than other brands.

• Complete Chico’s Size Conversion Chart

• Why Are Chico’s Clothes Sized Differently?

• How to Take Your Measurements for Chico’s Sizing

• What’s the Difference Between Chico’s Petite vs. Regular Sizing?

• How to Find The Right Size Chico’s Pants

• How to Find The Right Size Chico’s Jeans

• How to Find A Chico’s Top In Your Size

• What Size Dress do You Wear at Chico’s?

• Frequently Asked Questions About Chico’s Sizing

• Chico’s Sizing: Designed to Fit You

Complete Chico’s Size Conversion Chart 

Use this quick-reference chart to see how Chico’s numerical sizes translate to standard US sizes and letter sizes:

A couple of quick examples: if you typically wear a US size 8, you’re a Chico’s size 1. If you wear a US size 12, that’s a Chico’s size 2. And if you’re right in between—say, an 8 and a 10—a Chico’s size 1.5 is built exactly for you.

View the full Chico’s size chart with body measurements for bust, waist, and hip measurements.

Why Are Chico’s Clothes Sized Differently?

Traditional women’s clothes size charts are notorious for inconsistency and can even be discriminatory against certain body sizes and types. We felt the need to develop a unique, simple sizing system to ensure that once you know your Chico’s size, you’ll always find the right fit, whether you’re seeking sleek jeans or a carefree dress, a close-fitting ponte pant, or a dreamy tunic.

You’ll note that we offer a “translation” of missy and petite sizes from 000 to 22, and from size XS to XXL. For example, a size 6 at other brands correlates to a size .5 at Chico’s. Our sizing is stable, though, so while you might find yourself buying a 6 in most brands but sometimes a 4, 8, or 10, depending upon the manufacturer, at Chico’s, you’ll be a reliable .5 every single time. This often will be the case if you’ve gained or lost weight; our jeans, for example, will not only fit you but slim your silhouette even if your body has changed.

At Chico’s, we offer sizes for women of all body types. There’s no unique distinction for a “plus size.” When we design any apparel item, our first question is, “How can we make this look chic on any woman?”

How to Take Your Measurements for Chico’s Sizing 

To ensure you choose a Chico’s size that fits you perfectly, get out your measuring tape and accurately measure the circumference of your bust, waist, hips, and arms. Then you’ll know for sure what your size is. 

• Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your chest, keeping the tape parallel to the floor. Don’t pull it tight—you want a comfortable, natural fit.

•  Waist: Measure around your natural waistline, which is typically the narrowest part of your torso, just above your belly button.

•  Hips: Measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat, usually about 7 to 9 inches below your natural waist.

• Arm length: For jackets and long-sleeve tops, measure from the center back of your neck, across your shoulder, and down to your wrist.

For pants and jeans, inseam length matters. To measure your inseam, stand straight and measure from the crotch seam down to your ankle. This tells you whether Regular, Petite, or Tall inseam lengths will work for you.

A word of advice: If you’re at the store, you can trust our style experts to give you an honest dressing room assessment of whether you need to go up or down a size. For petite fashion advice, including how to find the best inseam lengths and proportions for shorter frames, our style experts have you covered.

Navigating half sizes at Chico’s 

If you’ve measured yourself and find you’re sitting between two standard sizes, Chico’s half sizes are your answer. A size 1.5, for example, lands squarely between a US 8 and a US 10, offering that middle-ground, tailored feel that neither whole size quite achieves. Half sizes are especially useful for structured pieces with minimal stretch, like jackets, ponte pants, and fitted bottoms. If your measurements hover near the upper end of one size bracket, the half size up will often give you a more comfortable, polished fit without the excess room of the next full size.

What’s the Difference Between Chico’s Petite vs. Regular Sizing?

Chico’s petite sizes are designed for women 5’4” and under. But petite isn’t just about shortening hems. Petite styles at Chico’s also feature shorter sleeves, narrower shoulders, raised waistlines, and reduced pant inseams compared to regular sizes. Every proportion is adjusted to flatter a shorter frame rather than simply cutting fabric off the bottom.Petite items are designated with a ‘P’ in the size label (for example, 1P or 2P). If you’re shopping for a structured jacket or dress and find that regular sizing tends to swallow your frame or land too low at the waist, petite sizing is likely your best fit. It’s also worth noting that ‘Short’ and ‘Petite’ are not interchangeable at Chico’s. Short inseams are longer than petite inseams, and the overall cut doesn’t carry the same proportional adjustments. If you’re between 5’2” and 5’4”, trying both is a smart move.

How to Find the Right Size Chico’s Pants

To find your Chico's pants size, match your hip measurement to the size chart; your hip is the most important number for bottoms. Chico's pants run in the same 000 to 4 scale as the rest of the line, so if you already know your Chico's size, you're set. As long as you can tuck in a shirt comfortably, and pockets aren’t flaring out, you can feel certain your Chico’s pants aren’t too tight. On the other hand, if the pants seem baggy in the rear or the waistline sinks throughout the day, you might need to go down a size. 

Favorites like wide-leg pants and the Brigitte are designed to look slimming and flattering on all body types, and the pull-on waist ensures no uncomfortable digging from buttons or zippers.

How to Find the Right Size Chico’s Jeans

Your Chico's jeans size is the same as your pants size. If you already know your number, just pick your cut and check the inseam length options (Regular, Petite, or Tall) to make sure the leg lands right. Don’t listen to myths that a certain jean cut is “out,” or only for a specific age group. Looking great in denim is always in style, which is why Chico’s offers timelessly styled straight-legged, boot cut and wide leg, jeggings, slim leg, skinny, ankle, and pull-on jeans, so you can sing the blues (or wear a white, black or colored rinse) any way you choose.

How to Find a Chico’s Top In Your Size

For tops, your bust measurement is the key number. Find your bust measurement on Chico's size chart and that's your size.It’s important to choose the size that fits you best because a well-fitting Chico’s top will flatter your bust and waist. A quick check in with that measuring tape will let you know what your correct Chico’s size is for tops, tees, and blouses.

Many women are a different size on the top than they are on the bottom—in fact, very few of us are that prototypical “hourglass” shape, with a bust and hips evenly proportioned. Many of us are petite on top and curvier on the bottom, while some of us are a bit more voluptuous with slimmer hips, so it is possible to need a smaller or larger top than what you wear in jeans or pants.

Of course, your mirror is your ultimate guide. If buttons are straining or your bra line is visible, go up a size, and if the arm holes are hitting you well below your underarms, it’s safe to assume that you need to size down.

What Size Dress Do You Wear at Chico’s?

If your top and bottom measurements land in different sizes, go with the larger of the two. Chico's designs dresses to fit a range of proportions, so the fit is more forgiving than you'd expect from a traditional brand. Dressing up is a treat, but choosing a dress can be challenging—especially if you’re getting all jazzed up for a specific occasion. After all, if all eyes are on you, you want to look chic! Making matters more complicated, dresses can be the most difficult type of clothing to fit into perfectly, because they need to fit parts of your body that might be different sizes (as anyone who has had to spend a pretty penny at the seamstress can attest). A loose-fitting dress sidesteps a lot of that complexity—the silhouette works across a wider range of proportions and still looks polished.

This is why Chico’s often designs dresses to fit a range of measurements, rather than the very narrow set of measurements most brands fit to. For example, a Chico’s size 1 fits women who wear both an 8 and a 10 in traditional stores—so you’ll look and feel perfectly chic regardless of your body shape, no alterations required.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chico’s Sizing

How does Chico’s sizing compare to Talbots?

Both brands have a consistent sizing approach, but the systems differ. Talbots uses standard US numeric sizes (2, 4, 6, etc.) while Chico’s uses its own 000 to 4 scale. A Chico’s size 1 (US 8) is roughly equivalent to a Talbots size 8 to 10.

Do Chico's clothes run large or small compared to standard sizing?

Most shoppers find Chico’s runs slightly larger compared to standard US brands. This is intentional. Chico’s uses sizing designed to feel comfortable across its core demographic. When in doubt, measure yourself and compare to the size chart rather than guessing from your usual number.

Is Chico's sizing flattering for curvy body types and apple shapes?

Yes, Chico’s sizing flatters a wide range of body types, including curvy and apple shapes. The So Slimming collection is specifically built to contour and flatter. For apple shapes, Chico’s relaxed tops and pull-on pants work especially well.

Chico’s Sizing: Designed to Fit You

Whether you’re searching for pants, jeans, tops, or dresses in your size, Chico’s takes the guesswork out of finding your fit with its unique sizing system. Shopping for clothes should be fun, and never stressful. Once you know what size to wear, it’s time to create some fun ensembles, play with color, and accessorize.

Consult our handy size chart, available online, or ask a style expert for assistance in one of our stores to ensure your Chico’s clothing fits perfectly.