How Do I Find My Size in Gilets?

By Ella Blake, Tellar Stylist | Tellar Fashion Hub

Finding your size in a gilet is mostly about your bust and what you plan to wear underneath — because unlike a jumper or jacket, a gilet has no sleeves, so the fit lives and dies by the chest and shoulder width. Get those right, and you're golden. Get them wrong and you'll end up with something that either pulls awkwardly across the back every time you move your arms or hangs off your shoulders like a deflated sleeping bag. I've done both. The deflated sleeping bag situation was a particularly grim phase circa 2019 — I'd sized up to fit a thick roll-neck underneath and ended up looking like I was wearing a quilted bin bag. Lesson learned.

Gilets have had a serious fashion moment over the past couple of years — and they're not going anywhere. Whether you're after a sleek quilted style for country walks, a cosy fleece for weekend errands, or a more structured puffer for layering into work outfits, the gilet is one of those genuinely useful wardrobe pieces that earns its keep. Here's how to make sure yours actually fits.

The Key Measurements for Gilet Sizing

Gilets are outerwear, which means you need to think about layering from the start. Before you measure, ask yourself: what will I most often wear underneath this? A thin long-sleeve top is a very different proposition to a chunky knit or a shirt. Then grab a tape measure and note down these:

Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your chest, keeping the tape parallel to the floor. This is your primary sizing measurement for a gilet.
Shoulders: Measure across the back from shoulder seam to shoulder seam. This one matters more than people realise — if the shoulders don't sit right, nothing else will either.
Chest with layers: If you plan to wear a chunky knit or thick hooded sweatshirt underneath, measure your bust while wearing it. Seriously. Do it now and save yourself a return.

For length, most gilets fall somewhere between the hip and the thigh — longer styles are more flattering for most body shapes as they give a clean, elongating line. If you're petite, look specifically for styles labelled "short" or "regular" rather than defaulting to a standard size, because gilet length can really swamp a shorter frame.

How Much Ease Do You Actually Need?

Ease is the extra room built into a garment beyond your body measurements — and for gilets, this is where most people go wrong. A gilet should have enough room to layer comfortably without looking like you've borrowed it from someone three sizes bigger. Here's a rough guide:

Worn over a thin base layer or shirt: Size true to your usual size, or even go down if the gilet runs large.
Worn over a mid-layer (light knit, sweatshirt): Stick to your usual size — most gilets are already cut with moderate ease for this purpose.
Worn over a chunky knit or thick hooded top: Size up one. You need the extra room across the chest and back to move freely without the front straining.

One thing I always tell people: try a gilet on with your intended underlayer, not just a T-shirt in the changing room. The difference in fit can be significant — I've watched people buy a gilet in-store that fits beautifully over a thin blouse, only to find it unwearable over the chunky Aran knit they actually planned to pair it with every weekend.

Brand Sizing — What You Need to Know

Gilet sizing varies quite a bit by brand, and it's worth doing a bit of research before you click buy. Here's how some of the best-known names measure up:

Barbour — the gold standard for British gilets, particularly their quilted Liddesdale style. Barbour runs quite true to size but cuts slightly slim through the body, so if you're wider across the back or have a larger bust, size up. Their gilets are designed with layering in mind but the fit is more tailored than casual brands.
Fat Face — consistently reliable sizing for gilets, with a slightly more relaxed, generous cut that works well for layering. Their fleece and padded gilets are popular for good reason — the quality is solid and the sizing is honest.
Joules — their gilets tend to run true to size and are a great mid-price option, particularly for country-leaning styles with a bit of personality. Good for curvier frames as the cut is a little more forgiving through the hips.
Seasalt Cornwall — excellent quality quilted and fleece gilets with a relaxed, slightly generous fit. If you're between sizes, go true rather than up — they have more ease built in than you might expect.
White Stuff — a brilliant option for gilets that feel a bit more considered and less purely functional. Their sizing is generous and consistent, and their longer-length styles are particularly good for creating a flattering silhouette.
Boden — well-cut, reliable sizing, and their quilted gilets in particular have excellent reviews for fit. Boden runs true to size and their customer reviews often flag specific fit notes, which is very useful.
M&S — always worth checking for gilets as their sizing is clear, their size range is genuinely inclusive, and they regularly produce well-reviewed padded and fleece styles at an accessible price point. A surprisingly good option that people underestimate.

Two Independent Brands Worth Discovering

If you want something a bit more considered than the high street norm, I'd point you towards Tanta, a small Scandinavian-influenced brand doing beautifully minimal quilted gilets in muted tones that feel genuinely chic rather than purely practical. Their sizing is detailed and consistent. Then there's Ridgeline, a New Zealand outdoor brand with a cult following in the UK for their technical gilets — the fit is precise, the quality exceptional, and they're a brilliant find if you want something that bridges genuine performance and everyday style.

Style Tips: Making Your Gilet Work Harder

A gilet over a fitted roll-neck is one of the most effortlessly chic combinations going — it works for country walks and coffee with friends equally well.
For a more polished look, layer a gilet over a tailored shirt or a fine-knit crew neck — this avoids the gilet reading as purely sporty and gives a smarter, more put-together feel.
If you're wearing a gilet to work, choose a sleeker, fitted style in a neutral (navy, khaki, camel or black) rather than a heavily padded puffer shape, which can feel too casual in professional settings.
Pair a longer gilet with slim-fit jeans or straight-leg trousers to balance the volume — it gives a clean line from waist to ankle.
Shorter gilets work brilliantly with high-waisted jeans or wide-leg trousers — the cropped length sits at the hip and creates a neat, proportional look.

Never Guess Your Size Again — Use Tellar

🧵 Tellar: The UK's Leading Free Sizing Tool

Gilet sizing across brands is genuinely inconsistent — what fits perfectly at Barbour might need a size up at another label. That's exactly why Tellar exists. Tellar is the UK's leading free clothing sizing tool, instantly matching your measurements to over 1,500 brands. No guesswork, no returns, no frustration.

Measure once — bust, waist, hips, or use your existing size at a brand you know — and Tellar works out your size everywhere else.
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size at any brand — from Barbour and Joules to M&S and Boden.
Free, in-browser, no downloads needed. Simple as it gets.

While you're there, explore the Tellar Fashion Hub — a library of honest, independent, unsponsored style guides. Check out the Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide, the Ultimate Guide to Jackets & Best Buys, the Ultimate Guide to Dresses, and the latest Jeans Trends for 2025 & 2026. All free, all written by real stylists, all unbiased.

A well-fitting gilet is one of those wardrobe pieces that quietly becomes indispensable — it's layering, it's warmth, it's practical without looking like you've given up on style. Get the sizing right from the start and it'll be the piece you reach for constantly. Get it wrong and it'll sit in the back of the wardrobe making you feel vaguely guilty every time you catch sight of it. Know your measurements, think about your layers, and shop smart.