How to Find Your Perfect size at Alpha Industries

BRAND SIZING GUIDE · FASHION HUB

By Ella Blake | Tellar Fashion Hub

Alpha Industries sizing runs noticeably large and boxy by design — that's the whole point of the brand. But knowing exactly how large, and how to style that volume, is the difference between looking effortlessly cool and looking like you've borrowed your dad's jacket from 1987. Here's everything you need to know.

I have a complicated relationship with Alpha Industries. I bought my first MA-1 bomber about six years ago, went one size too small because I panicked at the label, and spent an entire winter with a jacket I could barely move my arms in. Lesson thoroughly learned. Now I go up two sizes from my usual and I look — if I do say so myself — excellent in it. The whole point of Alpha is the oversized, military-surplus silhouette. Fight it and you'll lose. Lean into it and you'll wear it forever.

Alpha Industries is an American heritage brand that's been making military-spec flight jackets since 1959. The MA-1 bomber is their hero piece — worn by everyone from fighter pilots to Kate Moss — and understanding how their sizing works is genuinely the key to unlocking one of the best jacket investments you can make.

The Basics: How Alpha Industries Sizing Works

Alpha Industries uses standard US sizing, and their garments are built on a military fit pattern — which means they are intentionally roomy, structured across the shoulders, and cut for layering. This is not a brand that does close-fitting or slim-cut. Even their "slim fit" styles are generous by most high street standards.

As a rough guide, their labels translate to UK sizing as follows — but read on, because for Alpha the label is only half the story:

Alpha Industries SizeApproximate UK SizeChest (inches)XSUK 6–832–34"SUK 8–1034–36"MUK 10–1236–38"LUK 12–1438–40"XLUK 14–1640–42"XXLUK 16–1842–44"

Here's the critical bit though: for the MA-1 bomber and most of their outerwear, the vast majority of women size down by one or two sizes from what the chart suggests, or alternatively size up intentionally for the oversized look. There is no in-between. You either go fitted (size down) or you go full oversized heritage (size up). I strongly recommend the latter — it's more authentic to the garment's DNA and frankly more flattering.

The MA-1 Bomber — Alpha's Icon Piece

Let's talk about the jacket you're almost certainly here for. The MA-1 bomber is the original, the archetype, the one that every other bomber on the high street is trying to replicate. It's a nylon flight jacket with that distinctive ribbed collar, cuffs and hem, an orange lining (which can be reversed for a completely different look), and a chest pocket that was originally designed for maps. It is a genuinely brilliant piece of kit.

For an oversized, street-style look: size up two from your usual — a UK 12 should go for a Large or XL
For a more fitted, tailored-ish silhouette: go true to size or one down — but be aware the shoulders will sit wide by design
The ribbed hem and cuffs: these are meant to sit at the hip — if the hem is hitting mid-thigh, you've gone too big even for oversized
The sleeve length: should ideally hit just at the wrist or slightly above — Alpha runs long in the sleeve, so petite women may want to check the measurements carefully
Layering underneath: the MA-1 is designed to go over a hoodie or thick knit — factor this into your sizing decision

STYLIST TIP

The single best thing you can do with an Alpha MA-1 is reverse it to the orange lining side and wear it with straight-leg dark jeans and white trainers. It looks a million times more interesting than the nylon side and costs you absolutely nothing extra. I wore mine like this to a gallery opening last autumn and got approximately eleven compliments. Worth knowing.

Beyond the Bomber — Other Alpha Styles and How They Fit

Alpha makes more than just the MA-1, and the sizing logic shifts slightly depending on the style:

The M-65 Field Jacket: This is even boxier than the MA-1 — it's based on the US Army field jacket pattern from the 1960s. Size down one from your MA-1 size, as the cut is deliberately square and the body is very roomy. It's brilliant belted at the waist if you want to add shape.
The N-3B Parka: Genuine cold-weather military parka with a fur-trimmed hood. Runs very large — size down two here. This is a statement, cocooning piece and the volume is the whole point.
Hoodies and sweatshirts: These run true to US size, which means one up from your usual UK size. They're relaxed but not as dramatically oversized as the outerwear.
T-shirts: Far more true to standard sizing — a UK 10–12 will comfortably take a Small or Medium. These are the pieces where you don't need to overthink it.

How Alpha Compares to Other Brands

If you've ever bought a bomber from Superdry — another brand with military-inspired outerwear — you'll know that Superdry runs quite fitted and structured for a bomber. Alpha is considerably boxier and more authentic in its proportions; the two brands are really not comparable in fit at all, despite looking vaguely similar on a hanger.

Barbour is another heritage outerwear brand that British women are generally very familiar with sizing-wise. Barbour's waxed jackets run slim and tailored — almost the opposite of Alpha's military volume. If you're a 12 in Barbour, expect to be swimming in a 12 Alpha. Timberland sits somewhere in between — their outerwear is roomy but not to the same extent as Alpha's flight jacket range.

For those who love Zara's oversized outerwear edits (and Zara has done some brilliant bomber moments), Alpha is what Zara is quietly referencing. The difference is that an Alpha MA-1 will last you twenty years and a Zara bomber will last you two seasons. Price per wear makes Alpha the sensible choice, genuinely. Whistles and Cos both do elevated, minimal takes on the bomber silhouette that sit better for office wear — but neither has the heritage cachet or the cult following of Alpha.

If budget isn't a constraint, Levi's vintage and Urban Outfitters' archive buys are the closest thing in terms of that authentic Americana workwear DNA — but Alpha still wins on build quality and authenticity.

Two Independent Brands Worth Knowing

If the Alpha MA-1 has sparked an interest in military-heritage outerwear more broadly, these two independent brands deserve a place on your radar:

Monitaly — a Japanese brand that takes US military patterns and reimagines them in premium fabrics. Impeccably made, very consistent sizing, and a brilliant cult alternative for those who want something a little more considered. Their sizing runs true to US standard.
Rains — Danish outerwear brand, most famous for their raincoats but their bomber and jacket styles have a brilliant utilitarian-meets-Scandi-minimal quality. They size generously, much like Alpha, so follow the same logic: true to size or down one for a sleeker look.

Quick Fit Checklist Before You Order

Measure your chest — Alpha sizing is primarily based on chest circumference
Decide your intention: oversized heritage look (size up) or fitted (true to size or down one)
For the MA-1 bomber: most women go up one to two sizes from their usual UK size
For the M-65 field jacket: size down one from your MA-1 choice
For the N-3B parka: size down two from your usual
Check sleeve length if you're petite — Alpha runs long
Factor in what you'll layer underneath — the MA-1 is built to go over a thick knit
Don't forget to try the orange lining reversed — it changes the whole look

Take the Guesswork Out of Your Alpha Industries Order

Military sizing charts, US-to-UK conversions, plus or minus two sizes depending on the style — it's a lot to hold in your head when you're just trying to buy a brilliant jacket. That's exactly where Tellar.co.uk comes in. It's the UK's leading free sizing tool, matching your measurements to 1,500+ brands in seconds — including Alpha Industries.

Measure once — your bust, waist, and hips, or use a brand size you already know works for you. Two minutes, done.

Use the Store Size Lookup — get your recommended size at Alpha Industries and 1,500+ other brands, instantly. No spreadsheets, no conversion charts, no guessing.

Always free — no app to download, no subscription, no sponsored results. Just honest, accurate sizing information whenever you need it.

And while you're there, the Tellar Fashion Hub is packed with free, unsponsored style guides from real stylists. Whether you're trying to figure out the best jacket for your body shape or navigating the minefield of brand sizing across different retailers — it's all there, completely free.

Tellar Home Store Size Lookup Ultimate Sizing Guide Ultimate Jacket Guide

Find My Alpha Industries Size →

The Bottom Line

Alpha Industries is a brand worth buying into properly — one good jacket, sized correctly, that you'll wear for decades. The key is knowing that their pieces are built on a military template, not a fashion one, and adjusting accordingly. Size up for the bomber. Size down for the parka. Check your chest measurement. And for goodness' sake, try the orange lining.

If you'd rather skip the mental arithmetic entirely, Tellar's Store Size Lookup will give you your Alpha Industries size in about thirty seconds flat. Much easier.

Written by Ella Blake for the Tellar Fashion Hub. All brand recommendations are independent and unsponsored.