How to Find Your Size in Belstaff

By Ella Blake — Fashion Stylist | Tellar Fashion Hub — Always honest, unbiased & unsponsored

Quick answer: Belstaff runs true to size in most womenswear, but their iconic heritage jackets and waxed cotton styles are cut with a roomier, more structured fit — sizing down one is often advisable if you want a sleeker silhouette.

There's a particular kind of confidence that comes from wearing a Belstaff jacket. I had my first encounter with the brand at a press event years ago — a sample Trialmaster in waxed cotton that I was allowed to try on "just for a moment" and could barely bring myself to take off. It was, frankly, transformative. The problem when I eventually saved up and bought my own? The sizing completely threw me. Belstaff has a heritage in motorcycle and aviation wear, and that utilitarian DNA shows up in how they cut their clothes — generously, with room for layers, movement, and a certain disregard for the kind of figure-skimming fit we're used to from contemporary womenswear. Getting your size right here really does make the difference between a jacket that looks like it was made for you and one that swamps you entirely.

Understanding the Belstaff Brand

Belstaff was founded in Staffordshire in 1924 — yes, it's a British brand, which always surprises people who assume it's Italian or American. Originally making waxed cotton garments for motorcyclists and aviators, it became a cult item worn by everyone from Steve McQueen to Che Guevara. Today it sits firmly in the premium-to-luxury space: beautifully made, seriously functional, and with a distinctive rugged-cool aesthetic that has enormous crossover appeal. The womenswear line leans into that same heritage silhouette — boxy, structured, uncompromisingly cool — but with modern tailoring updates that make it genuinely wearable day-to-day.

Belstaff uses UK sizing (8–16 in most styles) alongside EU and US conversions. The sizing system is fairly conventional, but the cut of individual styles is where things get interesting.

Does Belstaff Run True to Size?

This really depends on the garment category. Here's my honest breakdown:

Heritage waxed jackets (Trialmaster, Roadmaster, Fenway): These run large. They're designed to be worn over knitwear with freedom of movement, and Belstaff hasn't really updated the block from the original motorcycle brief. I'm typically a UK 10 and I wear a UK 8 in these styles. If you want that sharp, contemporary layering look rather than an authentically boxy vintage vibe, size down.
Contemporary tailored jackets and blazers: True to size, occasionally slightly generous through the shoulder. These have been recut for a more modern womenswear fit and behave much more predictably.
Knitwear and sweatshirts: True to size with a relaxed fit intentional to the design. If you prefer a more fitted knit, size down one.
Trousers and jeans: True to size. Belstaff denim fits consistently and the waistband is generous, which is actually a relief after some luxury brands that seem to assume everyone is a size 6.
Dresses and tops: True to size. No real surprises here.

The Jacket Situation — A Confession

I ordered my Trialmaster online in my standard UK 10. It arrived looking spectacular on the hanger. On my body, it looked like I'd borrowed it from a considerably broader person. The shoulders sat perfectly — that's the thing about Belstaff, the construction is so good — but through the body it had about six inches of extra fabric that nobody needed. I exchanged for a UK 8 and suddenly it all made sense. The jacket fell beautifully, hit the right hip point, and had just enough room to layer a fine-gauge knit underneath without pulling. That's the sweet spot with Belstaff heritage outerwear: size down, layer thoughtfully.

My advice if you're buying in-store — and I'd genuinely recommend doing this for your first Belstaff jacket purchase — is to try on both your usual size and one down, wearing whatever you'd typically layer underneath. You'll feel the difference immediately.

Width and Body Shape Considerations

Because Belstaff's heritage styles are cut straight and boxy rather than shaped to the waist, they can be particularly tricky if you're petite or have a more defined hourglass figure:

Petite frames: The Trialmaster and similar heritage styles can overwhelm a smaller frame. Look at the shorter-length styles Belstaff produces, or consider their more contemporary cropped jacket options which are proportioned differently.
Hourglass and curvy figures: The boxy cut means these jackets don't follow your shape — which is either a feature or a bug depending on your perspective. Many customers with curves love the contrast of a structured boxy jacket over fitted jeans. If you want definition, belt it loosely at the waist.
Broad shoulders: You may find the shoulder seam sits perfectly in your usual size even if the body is roomy. In this case, a tailor can take in the side seams to give you a better fit without touching the shoulder construction.

Where to Buy Belstaff in the UK

Belstaff is stocked through a well-chosen set of UK retailers alongside their own boutiques and website:

Reiss — Carries select Belstaff outerwear styles in-store and online; great for trying on the jacket sizing in person before committing.
Jigsaw — Occasionally stocks Belstaff in curated multi-brand edits; worth checking for seasonal drops at slightly reduced entry prices.
Whistles — Has stocked Belstaff womenswear styles and is a natural stylistic companion to the brand's aesthetic.
ASOS — Useful for checking the full current range and reading real customer reviews on fit — always worth scrolling the review section on Belstaff pieces here before buying.
Hugo Boss — A comparable premium outerwear neighbour; if Belstaff sizing isn't working for your frame, Boss often has similar heritage-inflected jacket styles with a slightly more structured womenswear cut.
Massimo Dutti — Not a Belstaff stockist but a brilliant alternative for waxed or leather-look jackets at a lower price point with more consistent true-to-size cutting.
Barbour — The other great British waxed-cotton heritage brand; similarly oversized in cut and worth trying alongside Belstaff to see which house style suits you better.
Me&Em — Doesn't stock Belstaff, but for those who want a cleaner, more tailored British outerwear alternative with sizing that runs consistently true, Me&Em is worth knowing.

Two brilliant independent brands to know if Belstaff's aesthetic speaks to you:

Rains — A Danish brand making seriously cool, utilitarian outerwear with modern sizing and a cult following. The styling overlap with Belstaff's pared-back heritage cool is real, and the price point is considerably kinder. Their sizing runs true and is clearly marked.
Manifattura Ceccarelli — An Italian label making genuinely exceptional technical outerwear with serious craft heritage. If you love what Belstaff stands for but want something with even more under-the-radar credibility, this is the one to know. Sizing runs true to EU.

Belstaff Size Conversion Guide

Belstaff's womenswear uses UK sizing as its primary reference. Quick guide:

UK 6 = EU 34 = US 2
UK 8 = EU 36 = US 4
UK 10 = EU 38 = US 6
UK 12 = EU 40 = US 8
UK 14 = EU 42 = US 10
UK 16 = EU 44 = US 12

Always cross-reference with the specific size chart on the Belstaff website for each garment — chest and shoulder measurements in particular can vary between their heritage and contemporary lines.

How to Style Belstaff

Belstaff has a very clear aesthetic point of view and it rewards being leant into rather than fought against. Here's what works:

The Trialmaster over everything: Seriously, over a fine-gauge roll-neck from The White Company, straight-leg jeans from Levi, and a clean white trainer. This is the formula. It works every single time. The jacket does the talking so the rest can be simple.
Heritage jacket + tailored trousers: A pair of wide-leg trousers from Cos or Zara with a fitted top underneath the Belstaff gives a smarter, more fashion-forward take on the classic silhouette.
Layering for autumn and winter: Belstaff outerwear is genuinely functional — it's warm, wind-resistant, and built for actual British weather. Layer a chunky knit from Hush or Mint Velvet underneath and you've got a winter outfit that looks as good as it performs.
Weekend off-duty: The more relaxed knitwear and sweatshirt styles pair brilliantly with Paige or Citizens of Humanity denim for a premium casual look that never tips into try-hard.

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