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Does the Brand Balenciaga Run Big or Small on Clothes and Footwear Sizing?

Author: Stylist and brand team at Tellar

Date: 2025

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Balenciaga is one of the most talked-about luxury fashion houses in the world, synonymous with bold silhouettes, avant-garde design, and subversive takes on streetwear. From oversized hoodies and sculptural coats to chunky sneakers like the Triple S, the brand's aesthetic is deliberate and dramatic. But its distinctive look comes with one major complication:

Does Balenciaga run big or small?

In this guide, we’ll explore how Balenciaga sizing really works for shoes, clothing, and accessories—and how you can skip the guesswork using Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s most accurate (and free) sizing tool.


About Balenciaga: A Bold Legacy

Founded in 1919 by Spanish couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga and now helmed by Demna Gvasalia, Balenciaga has transitioned from Parisian couture to one of the most influential names in contemporary fashion.

The brand is known for:

  • Oversized tailoring and dropped shoulder silhouettes

  • Chunky trainers (Triple S, Track, Runner)

  • Futuristic accessories and technical fabrics

  • Gender-fluid streetwear, exaggerated proportions, and normcore reinterpretation

This distinct design DNA affects how garments and shoes fit—and often confuses shoppers used to conventional sizing.


So, Does Balenciaga Run Big or Small?

Summary:

Balenciaga generally runs large, especially in outerwear and tops. Shoes can run small or true to size, depending on the silhouette. Always check the style-specific cut, as fits are often intentionally exaggerated.

Let’s explore clothing and footwear separately for clarity.


Balenciaga Clothing Sizing Guide

Balenciaga is known for deliberate oversizing in most of its menswear and womenswear collections.

1. T-Shirts, Hoodies, Sweatshirts

  • Oversized by design, often 1–2 sizes larger than standard UK fits

  • Dropped shoulders, long sleeves, and boxy torsos are common

  • If you want a regular fit, size down 1–2 sizes

Example: A UK M in Balenciaga might feel like an XL from COS

2. Outerwear (Coats, Puffers, Jackets)

  • Most jackets and puffers are extremely oversized

  • Longline hems and voluminous sleeves

  • Size down for a neater fit, or stick to true size for runway styling

3. Trousers & Jeans

  • Trousers and denim tend to run true to size at the waist, but may be wide-leg or drop-crotch in silhouette

  • Be cautious of styling rather than numerical sizing

4. Womenswear Dresses & Tops

  • Often oversized or draped, though some fitted dresses run true to size

  • Blazers and shirts lean large—size down if you prefer a tailored look


Balenciaga Footwear Sizing Guide

Balenciaga’s iconic footwear line includes some of the boldest designs in luxury fashion—but each style has its own sizing characteristics.

Style

Fit Tendency

Sizing Recommendation

Triple S

Runs small

Size up by 1 full size

Track & Track 2

True to size / narrow

True to size or size up for wide feet

Speed Trainers

True to size

Sock-like fit; size up for wide feet

Defender Sneakers

Slightly large

Stick to size or size down ½ if narrow feet

Boots (Bulldozer, Knife)

True to size

Narrow styles; size up if in-between

Balenciaga footwear mostly uses EU sizing (e.g. EU 39 = UK 6)


What Do Customer Reviews Say?

From MatchesFashion to Farfetch and Balenciaga.com, reviews consistently mention:

  • “T-shirt was HUGE—definitely size down unless you want that runway look.”

  • “Triple S fits small and heavy—go up a size if you wear thick socks.”

  • “Speed trainers fit like socks—tight at first but stretch slightly.”

  • “Jacket was massive but that’s the look—I love it.”


The Problem: Styling Intent vs Actual Size

Balenciaga often creates dramatically oversized silhouettes on purpose. Their sizing is not simply “big”—it’s designed to exaggerate.

But when you're shopping online, it's hard to know:

  • Whether to stick to your true size or size down

  • How one oversized item compares to another

  • If your usual UK size will work with EU size systems

  • What to do if you're between sizes in footwear or jackets


The Solution: Tellar.co.uk

Don’t risk buying a £700 hoodie or £900 sneakers in the wrong size. Use Tellar.co.uk to get your perfect Balenciaga size instantly.

✔️ Personalised Sizing Across 1,500+ Brands

Tellar uses your body and foot measurements to recommend the best size based on real brand data—not vague charts.

✔️ One-Time Profile, Lifetime Access

Input your chest, waist, hips and foot length once. Get size matches across every product category instantly.

✔️ Works for Oversized and Fitted Styles

Tellar’s algorithm understands brand intent. Want a regular fit from an oversized Balenciaga hoodie? It’ll tell you which size to choose.

✔️ Supports CM and Inches

Use whichever unit you prefer—Tellar handles conversions and comparisons for you.


What You Get with Tellar.co.uk

Free account setup

Free measuring tape sent to your home

Accurate size recommendations for Balenciaga and 1,500+ fashion brands

No more return hassles or sizing guesswork

Create your free Tellar profile now


Real Example: Balenciaga Hoodie & Trainer Fit

If your measurements are:

  • Chest: 100cm

  • Waist: 80cm

  • Foot length: 26.5cm

Tellar.co.uk may recommend:

  • Size S or XS for oversized hoodies (instead of your usual M)

  • EU 43 for Speed Trainers

  • EU 44 for Triple S (due to small fit and rigid construction)

Use the store size lookup for Balenciaga now


Related Reading on Tellar.co.uk


Balenciaga Sizing Summary at a Glance

Item Type

Fit Tendency

Tellar Sizing Advice

Hoodies/T-Shirts

Oversized

Size down 1–2 sizes if preferred

Outerwear

Extra Oversized

Size down unless layering heavily

Trousers

True to size

Consider silhouette when choosing

Triple S Trainers

Runs small

Size up by 1 full EU size

Speed Trainers

True to size

Size up if you have wide feet

Boots

True to size

Size up if narrow toe box


CTA: Check Your Balenciaga Size Instantly

Want the oversized look—or something more classic? Let Tellar decide.

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Does the Brand Balenciaga Run Big or Small on Clothes and Footwear Sizing?