Keeping in mind that sizing is relative and that you can only afford to produce a limited number of sizes, how do you decide whether to use numbered (2-16) or lettered (XS-XL) sizes? The cognitive shortcut (pt.2) is to do what brands you aspire to hang with do because you don’t have enough information (pt.2) to make a decision if you’re just starting out. If you think the sizing typical of your market could stand re-working or you just want to do your own thing, you can break the mold if your resources permit the risk. If this describes you, here is some guidance to figuring out which size scale to use.
The difference between the two scales is fit specificity, sales potential, cost savings and price points per size. Here’s a comparison of the two sizing strategies: