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Does the Brand American Vintage Run Big or Small on Clothes Sizing?

Author: Stylist at TellarDate: 2025

American Vintage has become a go-to label for elevated basics — think slouchy knits, effortless tees, and Parisian-style layers that never try too hard. But when it comes to sizing, the brand can be confusing:

Do American Vintage clothes run big, small, or true to size?

If you’ve tried buying one of their iconic soft cotton tees or oversized jumpers online, only to be stuck between an XS and a Medium, you’re not alone. In this sizing guide, we break down how American Vintage fits, category by category — and show how Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s leading sizing tool, removes the guesswork completely.


The Aesthetic of American Vintage

Post Image

Despite the name, American Vintage is a French brand, not US-based. It was founded in Marseille in 2005 and quickly became known for elevated everyday staples — soft cottons, minimalist silhouettes, slouchy cuts, and washed colours. Think effortless, Parisian street style with West Coast ease.

Their collections are designed to look relaxed and understated, but that laid-back silhouette often leads to confusion when it comes to picking the right size.


Does American Vintage Run Big or Small?

The answer: American Vintage tends to run large and intentionally oversized — but not in every category.

Let’s break it down by garment:

Category

Fit Summary

T-shirts

Oversized/slouchy – runs big

Knitwear

Roomy fit – true to size or size down

Shirts & Blouses

Relaxed through shoulders – often runs big

Trousers

True to size – with some relaxed tailoring

Dresses

Varies – oversized in cotton styles, more fitted in viscose

Coats & Jackets

True to size or boxy – depends on the fabric cut

Many items are cut to drape loosely on the body, especially in shoulders and sleeves. If you're between sizes, or prefer a neater silhouette, it’s usually safe to size down.


Real User Feedback via Tellar.co.uk

Tellar.co.uk collects live data from real UK shoppers. Here’s what users typically say after buying American Vintage:

  • “The T-shirt was great but HUGE — I sized down from M to S and it still looked slouchy”

  • “Absolutely love the softness, but I could’ve easily gone one size down”

  • “Knits fit like a dream — roomy but not bulky. Go smaller if you’re petite”

  • “The coat was just right but the tee was drowning me”

So the consensus is clear: the brand is consciously oversized — not poorly sized. You just need to know how to navigate it.


How American Vintage Compares to Other Brands

Here’s how American Vintage stacks up against similar premium casualwear brands:

Brand

Fit Comparison

COS

American Vintage is softer, more relaxed

Arket

AV is less structured and roomier

Massimo Dutti

AV is more oversized, especially in tops

Sezane

Similar French aesthetic, but AV fits larger

Reiss

AV is significantly looser and more casual

So if you’re coming from a more tailored brand like Reiss or & Other Stories, American Vintage will feel much more forgiving and relaxed in silhouette.


Why the Size Chart Isn’t Enough

Most retailers offer only a basic size chart, but American Vintage has unique challenges:

  • One-size-fits-most pieces: Some AV items only come in S/M or M/L

  • Fabric drape affects fit: Their knits and cottons can stretch or hang longer

  • Unisex/boxy cuts: Many tops and outerwear pieces are wide, not shaped

  • Visual styling is misleading: Models often wear oversized garments that don’t reflect true body sizing

Instead of guessing, the smartest option is to use Tellar.co.uk — which factors in body shape, fabric stretch, and real brand feedback.

Get your American Vintage size now


Use Tellar.co.uk for Personalised Sizing

Forget about returning the same jumper in two sizes. Here’s how Tellar.co.uk helps:

  1. Create a free profile in under a minute

  2. Input your chest, waist, and hip measurements — or simply select a brand/size you already own

  3. Choose your units (CM or inches)

  4. Instantly get your best size in American Vintage and 1,500+ other brands

You’ll know when to size down and when to stay true — based on your body, not just labels.

🎯 Try Tellar.co.uk now — it’s 100% free.


Pro Tip: Oversized ≠ Universal

Oversized styles can flatter — but not all oversized fits are the same. American Vintage makes certain cuts to drape specifically around the shoulders or hips, so knowing your frame and measurements matters. If you’re petite or narrow-shouldered, sizing down avoids that “drowning” look.

For example:

  • Their Jacksonville tee is intentionally loose in the arms and hem

  • The Izubird knit is designed to sit boxy but not bulky

  • Loman trousers often run TTS with stretch in the waistband


Get Your Free Measuring Tape from Tellar.co.uk

Need help measuring your bust, waist, or hips accurately? We’ve got you covered.

🎁 Request your free measuring tape here

It only takes 30 seconds, and we’ll post it to you for free — so your Tellar profile can be 100% accurate and up to date.


Related Tellar Posts You’ll Love


Follow Tellar.co.uk for Sizing Guidance & Brand Fit Reviews

American Vintage has become a go-to label for elevated basics — think slouchy knits, effortless tees, and Parisian-style layers that never try too hard. But when it comes to sizing, the brand can be confusing:

Do American Vintage clothes run big, small, or true to size?

If you’ve tried buying one of their iconic soft cotton tees or oversized jumpers online, only to be stuck between an XS and a Medium, you’re not alone. In this sizing guide, we break down how American Vintage fits, category by category — and show how Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s leading sizing tool, removes the guesswork completely.


The Aesthetic of American Vintage

Despite the name, American Vintage is a French brand, not US-based. It was founded in Marseille in 2005 and quickly became known for elevated everyday staples — soft cottons, minimalist silhouettes, slouchy cuts, and washed colours. Think effortless, Parisian street style with West Coast ease.

Their collections are designed to look relaxed and understated, but that laid-back silhouette often leads to confusion when it comes to picking the right size.


Does American Vintage Run Big or Small?

The answer: American Vintage tends to run large and intentionally oversized — but not in every category.

Let’s break it down by garment:

Category

Fit Summary

T-shirts

Oversized/slouchy – runs big

Knitwear

Roomy fit – true to size or size down

Shirts & Blouses

Relaxed through shoulders – often runs big

Trousers

True to size – with some relaxed tailoring

Dresses

Varies – oversized in cotton styles, more fitted in viscose

Coats & Jackets

True to size or boxy – depends on the fabric cut

Many items are cut to drape loosely on the body, especially in shoulders and sleeves. If you're between sizes, or prefer a neater silhouette, it’s usually safe to size down.


Real User Feedback via Tellar.co.uk

Tellar.co.uk collects live data from real UK shoppers. Here’s what users typically say after buying American Vintage:

  • “The T-shirt was great but HUGE — I sized down from M to S and it still looked slouchy”

  • “Absolutely love the softness, but I could’ve easily gone one size down”

  • “Knits fit like a dream — roomy but not bulky. Go smaller if you’re petite”

  • “The coat was just right but the tee was drowning me”

So the consensus is clear: the brand is consciously oversized — not poorly sized. You just need to know how to navigate it.


How American Vintage Compares to Other Brands

Here’s how American Vintage stacks up against similar premium casualwear brands:

Brand

Fit Comparison

COS

American Vintage is softer, more relaxed

Arket

AV is less structured and roomier

Massimo Dutti

AV is more oversized, especially in tops

Sezane

Similar French aesthetic, but AV fits larger

Reiss

AV is significantly looser and more casual

So if you’re coming from a more tailored brand like Reiss or & Other Stories, American Vintage will feel much more forgiving and relaxed in silhouette.


Why the Size Chart Isn’t Enough

Most retailers offer only a basic size chart, but American Vintage has unique challenges:

  • One-size-fits-most pieces: Some AV items only come in S/M or M/L

  • Fabric drape affects fit: Their knits and cottons can stretch or hang longer

  • Unisex/boxy cuts: Many tops and outerwear pieces are wide, not shaped

  • Visual styling is misleading: Models often wear oversized garments that don’t reflect true body sizing

Instead of guessing, the smartest option is to use Tellar.co.uk — which factors in body shape, fabric stretch, and real brand feedback.

Get your American Vintage size now


Use Tellar.co.uk for Personalised Sizing

Forget about returning the same jumper in two sizes. Here’s how Tellar.co.uk helps:

  1. Create a free profile in under a minute

  2. Input your chest, waist, and hip measurements — or simply select a brand/size you already own

  3. Choose your units (CM or inches)

  4. Instantly get your best size in American Vintage and 1,500+ other brands

You’ll know when to size down and when to stay true — based on your body, not just labels.

🎯 Try Tellar.co.uk now — it’s 100% free.


Pro Tip: Oversized ≠ Universal

Oversized styles can flatter — but not all oversized fits are the same. American Vintage makes certain cuts to drape specifically around the shoulders or hips, so knowing your frame and measurements matters. If you’re petite or narrow-shouldered, sizing down avoids that “drowning” look.

For example:

  • Their Jacksonville tee is intentionally loose in the arms and hem

  • The Izubird knit is designed to sit boxy but not bulky

  • Loman trousers often run TTS with stretch in the waistband


Get Your Free Measuring Tape from Tellar.co.uk

Need help measuring your bust, waist, or hips accurately? We’ve got you covered.

🎁 Request your free measuring tape here

It only takes 30 seconds, and we’ll post it to you for free — so your Tellar profile can be 100% accurate and up to date.


Related Tellar Posts You’ll Love


Follow Tellar.co.uk for Sizing Guidance & Brand Fit Reviews

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