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The Ultimate Guide to GANT: What to Invest In and How It Fits

Author: Stylist and brand team at Tellar

Date: 2025

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GANT is a heritage brand with a distinctive place in global fashion. Known for its preppy-meets-casual aesthetic and American East Coast roots, GANT blends Ivy League polish with European tailoring. If you're looking for timeless, high-quality essentials that last, GANT offers investment-worthy pieces for both men and women.

This guide explores GANT's history, core products, best investment items, sizing insights, and how to make sure your purchases fit perfectly with Tellar.co.uk.


1. GANT: A Brief History

Founded in New Haven, Connecticut in 1949, GANT originally manufactured shirts for other retailers including J. Press and Brooks Brothers. It wasn’t long before it began producing under its own label, pioneering the button-down collar shirt that would define Ivy League style.

By the 1980s, GANT had expanded globally—especially in Europe—where its reputation for collegiate-inspired, well-made garments took hold. Today, the brand balances American sportswear roots with European elegance, offering everything from chinos to knitwear to outerwear.


2. Signature GANT Style: What Sets It Apart

GANT is defined by:

  • Preppy, collegiate style – Think Oxford shirts, varsity knits, rugby polos.

  • Clean, timeless cuts – Slim to regular fits, clean tailoring.

  • High-quality cottons and wools – Organic cotton, American Supima, and Merino wool.

  • Functional detailing – Locker loops, box pleats, embroidery, and piped seams.

GANT delivers a polished but easygoing look: ideal for smart-casual dressing, office attire, and weekend refinement.


3. GANT’s Best Investment Pieces

3.1. Oxford Button-Down Shirts

The original and still one of the best. GANT helped popularise the button-down Oxford shirt, and it remains a staple of their collection today.

  • Made from high-quality cotton (often Supima or organic)

  • Soft-structured collar, box pleat, and locker loop

  • Comes in classic pastels, stripes, and solid tones

Buy if: You want a smart shirt that’s breathable, versatile, and machine-washable.


3.2. Chinos and Trousers

GANT chinos are a perfect midpoint between formal trousers and denim—polished yet relaxed.

  • Slim and regular fits available

  • Sturdy cotton twill with added stretch

  • Deep front pockets, clean tailoring

Look for: Seasonal shades (e.g. stone, navy, olive) that pair well with polos or knitwear.


3.3. Cotton Cable Knit Jumpers

These are go-to layering pieces with enduring appeal.

  • 100% cotton or merino blends

  • Ribbed cuffs and hem for structure

  • Signature small GANT shield logo

Great for: Layering over shirts in spring/autumn or under coats in winter.


3.4. The GANT Varsity Jacket & Quilted Outerwear

Outerwear options include:

  • Lightweight quilted jackets

  • Collegiate-style varsity jackets

  • Wool-blend peacoats or overcoats

Details to note: Press-stud buttons, piped seams, warm linings, and contrast sleeves.


3.5. Rugger Polos and Half-Zip Sweaters

Rugger polos (GANT’s rugby-style shirts) and half-zip sweaters offer a relaxed alternative to shirts and are ideal for layering under outerwear.

  • Cotton piqué or brushed jersey

  • Bold stripe designs or classic solids

  • Ribbed collars and cuffs for structure


4. GANT Sizing Guide: What to Expect

GANT generally offers true-to-size, regular European sizing—but knowing how each garment category fits is key.

Garment Type

Fit Note

Shirts

True to size; regular or slim fits

Chinos

Slightly fitted in the thigh

Knitwear

Regular fit; size up for looser look

Outerwear

Structured shoulders, true-to-size

Polo shirts

Tapered at the waist

Women's Fit

  • Shirts and blouses: Semi-fitted, ideal for tucking in

  • Dresses: Shirt-style dresses tend to run narrow at the bust

  • Coats: Tailored, often with narrow sleeves—check shoulder fit

Tip: GANT’s fit can vary slightly across countries. Some UK styles follow UK sizing, others mirror EU or US sizing. Always use brand-specific charts—or skip them altogether using Tellar.


5. GANT Fabric Quality & Sustainability

GANT places emphasis on:

  • Organic cotton – Common in shirts and tees

  • Recycled polyfills – Used in padded jackets

  • EcoWash and Better Cotton Initiative practices

  • Merino wool – For fine knits with temperature regulation

They also maintain high garment durability—many pieces, especially shirts and jumpers, last 5+ years with regular wear.


6. Care Tips for GANT Garments

  • Shirts: Machine wash cold, light iron for crisp finish

  • Knitwear: Hand wash or cold gentle cycle; dry flat

  • Trousers: Wash inside-out to preserve colour

  • Outerwear: Dry clean only for wool; spot clean quilted styles

Proper care ensures longevity—particularly for investments like cable knits and merino layers.


7. Style Advice: How to Wear GANT

Look

Style Formula

Smart Casual

Oxford shirt + chinos + loafers + navy blazer

Weekend

Rugger polo + stretch chinos + trainers

Office-Ready

Knit sweater + collared shirt + smart trousers

Preppy Spring

Stripe shirt dress + trench coat + ballet flats (women)

Layered Winter

Rollneck + wool coat + cords or tailored joggers

GANT excels at multi-layered dressing that’s both smart and approachable—especially useful for UK weather.


Want the Perfect Fit Every Time?

Even timeless brands like GANT can leave you second-guessing your size—especially when buying online or across seasons.

That’s where Tellar.co.uk comes in.


How Tellar.co.uk Works

Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s leading sizing tool, designed to instantly match your real body measurements to your best-fitting size in over 1,500 brands—including GANT.

✅ No size charts

✅ No guesswork

✅ Fewer returns

✅ Perfect fit from your first order


Just Follow 3 Easy Steps:

  1. Create your free Tellar.co.uk profile

  2. Enter your measurements (bust, waist, hips) or known size in another brand

  3. Use the Store Size Lookup to see your best size in GANT instantly

Also includes:

  • Access to the Tellar Fashion Hub: a library of 1000s of styling, fabric and fit guides

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Final Thought

GANT is a brand built on quality, legacy, and versatile design. Whether you're buying a crisp Oxford shirt or a durable quilted coat, the investment pays off in timeless wearability. But great design only shines when it fits right.

Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.

Only at Tellar.co.uk.