How to Find Your Size in Barrow

By Ella Blake – fashion stylist | Tellar Fashion Hub – Always honest, unbiased, & unsponsored

Barrow sizes according to Italian fashion conventions — which means the cuts tend to run slim and the sizing can come up smaller than a standard UK label. As a general rule, go up one size from your usual if you're buying fitted pieces, and always cross-check your measurements against their size guide before you hit checkout. Here's everything you need to shop Barrow confidently.

So, who exactly is Barrow?

If you haven't stumbled across Barrow yet, allow me to introduce one of Italian streetwear's most genuinely exciting names. Founded in Milan, Barrow sits in that delicious sweet spot between luxury and street — bold graphic prints, premium materials, and an unapologetically playful aesthetic that makes most other brands look a bit beige by comparison. Think oversized hoodies with smiley-face motifs, colour-blocked tracksuits, and structured puffer jackets that manage to feel both directional and wearable.

The brand has a devoted following among fashion editors and influencers, and it's one I've been recommending to clients who want to step away from safe basics without going full avant-garde. It's loud — but in an intelligent, considered way. The quality is genuinely excellent, and the pieces have serious longevity.

That said, sizing has tripped up more than a few people. I once ordered a Barrow sweatshirt in what I thought was a safely generous M, only to discover it fit more like a fitted UK 10. It wasn't a disaster — actually looked very cool tucked into wide-leg trousers — but it was definitely not the slouchy, thrown-on look I'd been going for. Size up, and thank me later.

How does Barrow sizing work?

Barrow uses Italian sizing conventions, which aligns roughly with EU sizing but runs notably slimmer and shorter in the body than UK or US equivalents. Their labelling uses XS through to XXL for most women's ready-to-wear, with some pieces also available in Italian numeric sizing (40, 42, 44 etc.).

Here's a rough conversion guide to help you navigate:

Barrow / IT SizeEU SizeUK SizeBust (cm)Waist (cm)Hips (cm)XS / 3834680–8462–6688–92S / 4036884–8866–7092–96M / 4238–4010–1288–9470–7696–102L / 44421498–10280–84106–110XL / 464416104–10886–90112–116XXL / 484618110–11492–96118–122

The most important thing to know: Barrow's M is not a UK 12 in the traditional sense. It sits closer to a UK 10–11, and if you're a UK 12 with any curve through the hip or bust, you'll want the L. Don't let Italian vanity sizing flatter you into a garment you can't breathe in.

Category-by-category fit advice

Sweatshirts & hoodies: Intentionally oversized in some styles, fitted in others — check the product description carefully. The slouchy styles are glorious; size down only if you specifically want a cropped effect.
Jackets & puffers: These tend to be the most true-to-size category. Still worth sizing up if you plan to layer underneath, particularly if you're between sizes.
T-shirts: Slim-cut and relatively short in the body by UK standards. If you have a longer torso or prefer more coverage, definitely size up.
Trousers & joggers: Waistbands are elastic on most casual styles, which makes sizing more forgiving. However, the leg length tends to be European — potentially short on taller frames.
Dresses: Check body measurements carefully. The Barrow silhouette is typically fitted through the waist — if you're fuller there, size up.

My top tips for buying Barrow online

Always measure your bust, waist, and hips before ordering — don't rely on your usual brand size alone.
When in doubt between two sizes, go up. The aesthetic of the brand actually lends itself well to a slightly oversized fit.
Check whether the piece is from their mainline or a seasonal drop — proportions can vary slightly across collections.
Barrow is stocked by FARFETCH, Selfridges, and independent luxury boutiques — return policies vary, so check before you buy.
If you're tall (5'8" and above), be aware that torso and sleeve lengths may fall slightly shorter than expected.

Love the Barrow vibe? Here are brands with similar energy — and more reliable sizing

Barrow has a very specific aesthetic — bold, graphic, premium streetwear with Italian flair. If the sizing is giving you grief or you want to explore similar territory at different price points, here's where I'd look:

Urban Outfitters — For graphic streetwear at a more accessible price point, UO consistently delivers on bold prints and relaxed silhouettes, with UK-friendly sizing that's much easier to navigate.
All Saints — A British brand that nails the elevated-casual brief. Edgier than your average high street, with a strong identity and consistent true-to-size fits.
Hugo Boss — If you want the premium Italian-inspired cut with more predictable sizing, Boss covers the graphic tee and structured jacket territory with far fewer sizing surprises.
Tommy Hilfiger — For bold logo pieces and colour-block styling that echoes Barrow's playfulness at a friendlier price point. Generally true to UK sizing.
Mango — Seriously underrated for directional pieces. Their seasonal drops often include bold graphics and strong silhouettes, and the sizing is consistently reliable.
River Island — For statement streetwear on a budget. The quality isn't Barrow-level but the aesthetic boldness is genuinely there, and the sizing is straightforward.
Anthropologie — A brilliant option if you love the artistic, print-led dimension of Barrow but prefer a more bohemian interpretation. True-to-size with a wider range of fits.

For two brilliant independent alternatives: Carne Bollente is a Paris-based brand doing cheeky, embroidered basics with a devoted fashion-world following — same premium-streetwear energy as Barrow but with a very different visual language. And Sporty & Rich (founded by Emily Oberg) is the perfect answer if you want the elevated athleisure-meets-luxury brief, with oversized silhouettes that fit generously and consistently.

Stop guessing your size — Tellar has you covered

Italian sizing, EU conventions, slim-cut fits — is it any wonder so many of us end up in a returns queue? Barrow is a brilliant brand, but it's also a perfect example of why you can't just trust your usual label size when shopping internationally.

Tellar.co.uk is the UK's leading free sizing tool. Enter your measurements once, and it instantly matches your body to the right size across 1,500+ brands — Barrow, Arket, COS, Reiss, Everlane, and hundreds more.

Step 1: Measure once — bust, waist, and hips, or use an existing brand size you trust as a starting point.
Step 2: Use the Store Size Lookup tool — get your precise size in any brand, instantly.
Step 3: Shop confidently — no more sizing guesswork, no more unnecessary returns.

It's completely free, no downloads needed, and it works directly in your browser. Try it at tellar.co.uk.