A "15 16" waist size usually refers to youth or junior sizing, meaning roughly a 28-30 inch waist for girls/juniors or a 29-31 inch waist for boys, depending on the brand, with some girls' size 16 being around 30 inches and older boys' size 15-16 around 74-79cm (29-31 inches). It's crucial to check the specific brand's size chart for accuracy, as sizes vary.
In general, keep waist circumference to less than half your height. For example, for a 6-foot man (72 inches), a healthy waist size would be anything less than 36 inches. For a 5-foot-2 woman (62 inches), a healthy waist size would be anything less than 31 inches.
US size 28 jeans fits a 28-inch waist and 39-inch hip and corresponds to a US size 6.
If you're still wondering what size is considered curvy, the answer is: there isn't one. Curvy is about shape, not size. You can be curvy at size 6, size 16, or size 26. It's not the number on the tag that matters—it's how your body naturally carries its curves.
A size 34 is often a US Size 14 in dresses/pants or a 34-inch waist in jeans, but it can sometimes lean towards a Size 16, especially in European sizing (EU 34 is a US 2, while EU 40-42 is closer to a US 10-12) or when it's a 34-inch waist for a size 14/16 range; always check the specific brand's size chart, as conversions vary.
The smallest waist belongs to Cathie Jung (USA, b. 1937), who stands at 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) and has a corseted waist measuring 38.1 cm (15 in). Un-corseted, it measures 53.34 cm (21 in).
Comparing a 70cm Waist with National Averages
For men, 70cm is considered small, as their average waist ranges from 75–85cm.
Are you at risk? Male*: more than 94 cm (37 inches) is increased risk; more than 102 cm (40 inches) is substantially increased risk. Female*: more than 80 cm (31.5 inches) is increased risk; more than 88 cm (35 inches) is substantially increased risk.
Cathie Jung holds the world record for the smallest waist on a living person, measuring just 38.1 cm (15 inches), thanks to her passion for Victorian-era fashion and tightlacing with corsets.
For your appearance, a waist circumference of anywhere from 0.4–0.5 times your height will look great, and being on the narrower side might be slightly more attractive. What matters more, though, is the ratio between your waist circumference and hip circumference (study).
Waist Circumference: Another study found that both men and women tend to have an increase in waist size as they age. This means the belly area can get bigger, making the body appear wider. Rib Shape Changes: Age can also affect the shape of our ribs, which might contribute to changes in the body's overall width.