Walk into a tailor or a traditional shirt shop in Pakistan, and sizing is often quoted in numbers — 40, 42, 44, 46 — rather than letters like XL or XXL. This creates genuine confusion when shopping online, where most plus size retailers use letter-based sizing instead. If you’re wondering shirt size 42 means xl or xxl in letter sizing, the answer depends on the collar measurement.
What the Numbers Actually Measure
Numbered shirt sizing in Pakistan typically refers to the neck or collar measurement in inches. A size 42 shirt, for instance, is built around a 16.5-inch collar; a size 44 around a 17-inch collar, and so on.
Approximate Conversion Chart
- Size 40 (Collar ~15.5″) ≈ Large / L
- Size 42 (Collar ~16.5″) ≈ XL
- Size 44 (Collar ~17″) ≈ XXL (2XL)
- Size 46 (Collar ~17.5″) ≈ XXXL (3XL)
- Size 48 (Collar ~18″) ≈ XXXXL (4XL)
These are approximate — the exact conversion varies between brands.
Why Chest Measurement Is More Reliable
Collar size alone doesn’t tell you how a shirt will fit through the chest and shoulders. This is exactly why OutfitPlus sizes primarily by chest measurement rather than collar number.
How to Convert Your Own Number Size
If you know your tailored shirt size in numbers, you can estimate your letter size using the chart above — but for the most accurate result, measure your chest directly using a tape measure.
Get It Right the First Time
Every product at OutfitPlus lists exact chest measurements in inches for XXL, XXXL, and XXXXL. See our full Size Guide for the complete measurement process, or browse Plus Size Shirts directly.