How to Find Your Size in A.P.C.

By Ella Blake | Tellar Fashion Hub

A.P.C. runs small — typically one to two sizes smaller than your usual UK size — so always size up before you buy. It sounds simple, but I can't tell you how many women (myself included, once upon a time) have ordered their standard size and spent a regretful afternoon trying to squeeze into a pair of Petit New Standard jeans that had absolutely no intention of going past their thighs. Consider this your intervention.

Why A.P.C. Sizing Trips People Up

A.P.C. is a French brand, and it uses French sizing as its base — which already runs narrower and smaller than UK sizing. Add to that the label's signature minimalist cuts — slim through the hip, structured across the shoulder, close-fitting through the torso — and you've got a brand that rewards sizing up rather than hoping for the best.

Unlike some designer brands where sizing is simply a number on a label, A.P.C. cuts with real precision. The patterns don't have much give, and the denim in particular is notoriously unforgiving. Their raw selvedge styles are designed to mould to your body over time, but only if you can actually get them on.

The good news? Once you crack the A.P.C. sizing code, the fit is genuinely beautiful — clean, intentional, and that effortlessly undone Parisian thing that no algorithm can manufacture.

A.P.C. Size Conversion Guide

Here's a straightforward conversion to take the guesswork out of it:

A.P.C. Label SizeUK Size (approx.)EU SizeUS Size346342368364381038640124084214421044164412

Note: these are guidelines. A.P.C. cuts vary between categories — see below for category-specific advice.

Sizing by Category: What to Know Before You Click "Add to Bag"

A.P.C. Jeans

This is where the sizing drama is most real. A.P.C. denim — whether it's the Petit New Standard, the Straight, the Martin, or the Snap — is structured and rigid until worn in. My personal experience: I'm a UK 10, and I bought a size 27 jean based on my measurements. Reader, they did not do up. A 28 fits beautifully. For jeans, size up at least one full size, sometimes two if you carry weight on your hips.

For the Petit New Standard (slim, low-rise): size up 2
For the Straight and Martin styles: size up 1–2
For the Relaxed fits: size up 1 is usually sufficient
If you're between sizes in denim, always go up — raw denim won't stretch much

A.P.C. Tops, Shirts & Knitwear

A.P.C. shirts are cut close to the body, especially through the shoulder and upper chest. If you have broader shoulders or a fuller bust, I'd recommend sizing up one. Their knitwear — particularly the wool and cashmere styles — is more forgiving, but the cotton and structured wovens won't have much stretch. When in doubt, size up. The slight roominess reads as intentional with A.P.C.; it's part of the label's aesthetic.

A.P.C. Coats & Jackets

A.P.C. outerwear runs slim through the shoulder and chest. If you plan to layer, which — let's be honest — is a prerequisite for nine months of British weather, go up one size minimum. I've seen the Théo and the Ville in size 38 on a UK 10 frame and they hit that sweet spot between structured and relaxed. Go too small and it will simply look wrong around the back.

A.P.C. Dresses & Skirts

More forgiving than the jeans, but still cut on the slim side. For bodycon or sheath styles, size up one. For their more relaxed midi and shirt-dress styles, your usual size may work — but if you have a fuller hip-to-waist ratio, size up.

High Street Alternatives if A.P.C. Sizing Puts You Off

Let's be practical: A.P.C. is an investment. If you want a similar aesthetic — clean, minimal, excellent quality — without the French sizing anxiety, these high street and mid-market brands are worth exploring:

COS — the closest in aesthetic terms; clean tailoring, consistent sizing that aligns with standard UK sizes
Massimo Dutti — beautifully cut basics with European sizing that's more forgiving than A.P.C.
Whistles — excellent tailoring with very true-to-size UK cuts
Reiss — smart minimalism with reliable sizing across categories
Me&Em — brilliant for structured basics with generous UK sizing
Jigsaw — understated British minimalism with honest sizing
Arket (by H&M Group) — the minimalist sibling that sizes more accessibly
Mango — great Parisian-adjacent pieces at a much friendlier price point

For independent alternatives, I love Nagnata — an Australian label doing elevated basics with exceptional fabric quality — and Paloma Wool, a Barcelona-based brand with that same deliberately considered aesthetic as A.P.C., but with more inclusive sizing built in from the start.

Tips for Buying A.P.C. Online

Always measure your waist and hips before buying A.P.C. denim — don't rely on your usual jean size
Read the product description carefully — A.P.C. notes whether a style runs "true to size" or "slim fit"
Check A.P.C.'s own size guide on their website, which lists measurements per size
If buying from a stockist (Net-a-Porter, Matches, Selfridges), check customer reviews for fit notes — they're usually gold
Buy from a retailer with a good returns policy for your first A.P.C. purchase until you know your size

Never Guess Your A.P.C. Size Again — Use Tellar

Figuring out your size across designer brands like A.P.C. is exactly why Tellar.co.uk exists. It's the UK's leading free sizing tool — just enter your measurements once and get your precise size matched across 1,500+ brands instantly. No more size-chart squinting, no more expensive returns.

📏 Measure once — bust, waist, hip, or your existing brand size
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Plus the Tellar Fashion Hub is a library of free, unbiased style guides written by real stylists. No ads, no sponsored fluff — just honest fashion advice. Explore it here →

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