Petit Bateau Size Guide
Petit Bateau is a French children's and womenswear brand established in 1893, renowned for combining timeless design with exceptional comfort. The brand's philosophy centres on three core principles: liberty to move, liberty to create, and liberty to breathe. This translates into garments designed with soft, breathable fabrics and relaxed cuts that allow children and adults to play, explore, and move freely. Petit Bateau sizing is generous and forgiving, reflecting the brand's commitment to comfort over constraint. Whether you're selecting daywear, underwear, nightwear, or accessories, the size guides below account for natural growth and layering needs.
How to Measure
- Wear fitted (not tight) clothing or underwear when measuring.
- Height: Stand barefoot against a wall. Measure from the top of your head to the floor in centimetres.
- Chest: Measure around the fullest part of the chest, keeping the tape measure parallel to the ground and relaxed (not pulled tight).
- Waist: Measure around the natural waist (the narrowest part, typically just above the hip bone), keeping the tape measure snug but not constrictive.
- Hips: Measure around the fullest part of the hips and bottom, approximately 20 centimetres below the waist.
- For footwear: Measure foot length from the back of the heel to the tip of the longest toe whilst standing, ideally in the evening when feet are slightly swollen.
Baby Daywear, Underwear and Nightwear
| Size | Height (cm) | Chest (cm) | Chest (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| N46 | 47 | 46 | 18.1 |
| NAI | 50 | 47 | 18.5 |
| 1M | 54 | 50 | 19.7 |
| 3M | 60 | 54 | 21.3 |
| 6M | 67 | 60 | 23.6 |
| 9M | 71 | 67 | 26.4 |
| 12M | 74 | 71 | 28.0 |
| 18M | 81 | 74 | 29.1 |
| 24M | 86 | 81 | 31.9 |
| 36M | 95 | 86 | 33.9 |
Baby Footwear (Socks, Tights and Slippers)
| Size | EU Shoe Size | Foot Length (cm) | Foot Length (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/1M | 15–16 | 9.5–10.2 | 3.75–4.0 |
| 3M | 17–18 | 10.2–11.4 | 4.0–4.5 |
| 6M | 19–20 | 12.1–12.7 | 4.75–5.0 |
| 12M | 21–22 | 12.7–14.0 | 5.0–5.5 |
| 18M | 23–24 | 14.0–15.2 | 5.5–6.0 |
Children's Daywear (Boys and Girls, ages 2–18)
| Age / Size | Height (cm) | Chest (cm) | Waist (cm) | Hips (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2Y | 86 | 50 | 48 | 53 |
| 3Y | 95 | 52 | 49 | 55 |
| 4Y | 104 | 54 | 50 | 57 |
| 5Y | 110 | 56 | 51.5 | 60 |
| 6Y | 116 | 58 | 53 | 63 |
| 8Y | 128 | 64 | 57 | 69 |
| 10Y | 140 | 70 | 61 | 75 |
| 12Y | 152 | 78 | 65–66 | 84 |
| 14Y | 164–172 | 82–84 | 66.5 | 89.5 |
| 16Y | 172 | 88 | 70.75 | 93.5 |
| 18Y | 174 | 92 | 75 | 97.25 |
Children's Footwear (ages 2–10 years)
| Age | UK Size | EU Size | Foot Length (cm) | Foot Length (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2–3 Years | 7–8 | 24–25 | 14.6–15.6 | 5.75–6.1 |
| 4–5 Years | 8.5–9.5 | 26–27 | 15.9–16.8 | 6.25–6.6 |
| 6–7 Years | 10–10.5 | 28–29 | 17.1–17.8 | 6.75–7.0 |
| 8–10 Years | 11–12.5 | 30–31 | 18.1–19.4 | 7.1–7.6 |
Women's Daywear
| Size | Size Code (EU) | Height (cm) | Chest (cm) | Waist (cm) | Hips (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XXS | 12A / 34 | 168 | 80 | 62.5 | 85.75 |
| XS | 14A / 36 | 172 | 84 | 66.5 | 89.5 |
| S | 16A / 38 | 172 | 88 | 70.75 | 93.5 |
| M | 18A / 40 | 174 | 92 | 75 | 97.25 |
| L | 20A / 42 | 174 | 96 | 79.5 | 101 |
| XL | 22A / 44 | 174 | 100 | 83.8 | 104.6 |
Women's Footwear
| Size Code | UK Size | EU Size | Foot Length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10–12A | 31–34 | EU 7.5–8.5 | 19.5–21.6 |
| 14–16A | 35–38 | EU 9–9.5 | 22.2–24.1 |
| 18A | 39–42 | EU 9.75–10.5 | 24.6–26.7 |
Men's Daywear
| Size Code | EU / Conversion | Height (cm) | Chest (cm) | Waist (cm) | Hips (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 40 | 165 | 88 | 76 | 91 |
| M | 42 | 170 | 96 | 84 | 94 |
| L | 44 | 175 | 104 | 92 | 102 |
| XL | 46 | 180 | 112 | 100 | 109 |
Product-Specific Guidance
Daywear (T-shirts, Dresses, Tops): Petit Bateau daywear is cut with ample ease through the chest and torso to allow freedom of movement. If you are between sizes, choose the smaller size for a more tailored fit or the larger size if you prefer a relaxed, oversized silhouette. Children's daywear is designed to accommodate growth, so sizing up by one size is common practice for longer wear.
Underwear and Nightwear: These garments run true to size and should fit snugly without restriction. Petit Bateau uses soft cotton and breathable fabrics, so a comfortable (not tight) fit is ideal. Baby sizes (N46 to 36M) are generous; if your baby is between sizes, the larger size offers more room for nappies and layering. Women's underwear and nightwear follow standard Petit Bateau sizing and are designed for a relaxed, comfortable fit overnight or under clothing.
Socks, Tights and Slippers: Baby and children's socks and tights are sized by age or shoe size range. Tights should fit snugly at the waist without bunching or slipping. Children often grow out of socks and tights before clothing, so measure feet periodically. Women's socks and tights are sized by shoe size code; if your foot length falls between two sizes, choose the larger for comfort.
Outerwear (Jackets, Cardigans): Lightweight jackets and cardigans from Petit Bateau are designed to layer comfortably over daywear. Choose your usual daywear size unless you plan to wear thick jumpers underneath, in which case consider sizing up. Baby and child outerwear is often roomy to allow for growth and layering through seasons.
Hats, Caps and Accessories: Baby hats and caps are sized by age range (e.g. N/1 month, 3–6 months, 12–24 months). Measure around the head just above the ears and eyebrows. Children's and adult hats use standard size codes (e.g. T1, T2, T5, T6); if unsure, opt for the larger size as hats can be adjusted with internal drawstrings or fastenings. Scarves and mittens are often sized as one-size-fits-most or by age/age range.
Sizing Tips
- Refer to each product page: Petit Bateau provides detailed size guides on individual product pages. Click the "Size Guide" link next to the size selector to view measurements specific to that item, as cut and fit can vary slightly between styles.
- Account for growth in children's sizing: Petit Bateau daywear is designed with room to grow. Many parents size up one size for children to extend wear and accommodate growth spurts, particularly in body length.
- Layer-friendly cuts: Petit Bateau garments are designed to accommodate layering. If purchasing for cooler months or for a child who wears thick base layers, you may choose a larger size without loss of style.
- Cotton breathability: Most Petit Bateau garments are made from soft cotton or cotton-blend fabrics. These materials breathe well and may feel slightly looser than synthetic alternatives; this is intentional and supports the brand's philosophy of comfort and freedom.
- Exchange policy: If you receive an item that is too small or too large, Petit Bateau welcomes exchanges in-store or through their customer service. You can select the perfect size without additional cost if the item is in stock.
- Measure in the evening: Feet swell slightly throughout the day. When measuring foot length for shoes or socks, measure in the late afternoon or evening for the most accurate fit, and always measure both feet as one may be slightly larger.
- Baby growth milestones: Baby sizes are named by age milestone (N46, 1M, 3M, etc.) rather than traditional clothing sizes. If your baby is between milestones, refer to the height and chest measurements in the size chart to find the best fit, and consider room for nappies when measuring chest.