When you are the same size

Short answer: The same size does not mean the same fit. The cut differs between men's and women's styles, and a piece that fits by number can sit wrong at the shoulders and hips. Some things can be shared, others only fit the person they were made for.

The cut is not the same

Men's and women's styles differ in width at the shoulder and hip. A men's style is usually wider across the shoulders and straight down, while a women's style is narrower at the top with more room at the hip. That is why two pieces with the same number can fit very differently, even if you are the same height. See bamboo tank top for men.

Socks and soft tops can be shared

These two categories have the widest range of fit. Socks follow the foot, and a soft top with stretch adapts to several body shapes without pulling out of line. Here the cut matters least, and this is where sharing makes the most sense in practice. The rest of the wardrobe is usually best kept separate. See bamboo socks.

Mark clothes if you share

Without a mark, everything ends up in one drawer. When two people have the same size and similar colours, it is hard to tell what belongs to whom, especially after washing. A small mark at the neck or a fixed side of the drawer makes it clear at once. Then no favourite top vanishes for weeks. See men's most popular.

Check the shoulder seam

The shoulder seam is the quickest sign of whether a piece fits. It should sit at the edge of the shoulder. If it sits far down the upper arm, the cut is too wide. If it sits in on the shoulder, it pulls across the back. Try the other person's top in front of a mirror before you decide to share.

The length differs too

Besides the width, the length of tops is often cut differently. A style can be longer at the back or shorter at the front, depending on who it was made for. You notice it most when you lift your arms or sit down. If the width fits but the piece rides up, it is the length that does not suit.

Keep underwear separate

Underwear is cut closely to the body, and a piece made for another shape rarely sits well. It is also what most people prefer to keep to themselves. Keep underwear in separate drawers and, where possible, in different colours. Then there is no doubt when the laundry is folded.

When you want to buy the same

Some couples like to have the same style or colour. That works fine, but buy the version cut for each of you. Then you share the look but each has your own fit. Check the size guide for each style on its own, as the same number can mean slightly different measurements from one style to another.

Share only what you both like

Sharing works best when both like the piece and know it is shared. Agree which items are shared, and keep the rest personal. That way one person is not looking for a top the other is wearing. A few shared pieces are enough to get the benefit of being the same size.

Frequently asked questions

Can two people of the same size share clothes

Partly. Socks and soft tops can be shared, but a cut made for a different body shape rarely fits right, especially at the shoulders and hips.

What is the difference between men's and women's in the same size

The width at the shoulder and hip. A women's top is cut narrower at the shoulder and wider over the hip than a men's style, even with the same number on the label.

How do you keep track of what belongs to whom

With a small mark at the neck or a fixed side of the drawer. Without a mark, everything ends up with whoever puts the laundry away.