Bust/waist/hip measurements

They match the three inflection points of the female body shape.

In human body measurement, these three sizes are the circumferences of the bust, waist and hips; usually rendered as xx–yy–zz in inches, or centimeters.

The three sizes are used mostly in fashion, and almost exclusively in reference to women,[1] who, compared to men, are more likely to have a narrow waist relative to their hips.

Breast volume will have an effect on the perception of a woman's figure even when bust/waist/hip measurements are nominally the same.

The result is that the latter woman will appear "bustier" than the former due to the apparent difference in bust to hip ratios (narrower shoulders, more prominent breasts) even though they are both technically 38–27–38.