What Is Clothes Sizing Like at The North Face?

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

The North Face women's sizing runs true to size overall, but because it's an American brand using US sizing as its base, UK shoppers need to be aware that their standard sizing translates slightly differently — and outerwear in particular is often cut with a roomier fit to allow for layering underneath. Get this right and you'll have kit that performs brilliantly; get it wrong and you'll end up with a jacket that either swamps you or won't zip over a chunky knit. Let me walk you through exactly what you need to know.

I'll be upfront — I'm not a hardcore mountaineer (my idea of extreme outdoor conditions is a rainy Saturday in Borough Market), but I've been styling The North Face pieces into everyday wardrobes for years and I genuinely love how the brand has evolved. The Nuptse puffer, the Denali fleece, the 100 Glacier quarter-zip — these are wardrobe staples now, not just trail gear. The trick is knowing how they fit so you can wear them properly.

Understanding The North Face Sizing System

The North Face operates primarily in XS through XXL for women, rather than standard UK numeric sizes. This catches a lot of people out. Here's how those letter sizes map to UK and EU sizing, along with the key measurements:

TNF SizeUK SizeUS SizeEU SizeBust (cm)Waist (cm)Hips (cm)XS8434–3681–8464–6689–91S10636–3886–8968–7194–96M12838–4091–9473–7699–101L1410–1242–4497–10079–81104–107XL1612–1444–46102–10684–87109–112XXL181648109–11290–93116–119

The critical thing to note: always go off your measurements rather than your assumed UK size. I've seen clients who are a confident UK 12 everywhere else end up in a TNF Medium that's too generous through the shoulders. The brand's measurements are your safest reference point — particularly for technical and performance pieces.

How Different Pieces Fit

This really does vary by product category, so let me break it down properly:

Puffer jackets (Nuptse, Eco Nuptse, Himalayan): These are intentionally cut with a boxy, generous silhouette — that's by design, not an error. If you want a more streamlined, fitted look, size down. If you're layering a thick fleece or hoodie underneath, stick to your true size. My advice: decide how you're going to wear it before you order.
Fleeces (Denali, 100 Glacier, TKA Fleece): The classic Denali runs slightly oversized intentionally — it's a heritage shape. The 100 Glacier quarter-zip is more fitted and runs true to size. Both are worth checking the specific product measurements for, as they vary more than you'd expect within the fleece category.
Softshell and technical jackets: These tend to run true to size and are designed with active movement in mind, so there's enough room across the back and shoulders without being baggy. If you're between sizes, go up rather than down — you'll want freedom of movement.
Base layers and thermals: Run true to size and are designed to sit close to the body. Don't size up here — you want the thermal properties to work properly, which requires contact with the skin.
Trousers and hiking pants: These run true to size in the waist, but if you're shorter (under 5'4"), the regular length can be long. TNF offers short, regular, and long lengths on some styles — worth checking before you buy.
T-shirts, sweatshirts and casual tops: True to size and consistent. No real surprises here — these are the most straightforward category to order in.

A Few Things I've Learnt the Hard Way

I ordered a North Face puffer a few winters ago without checking the specific cut and ended up with something that looked like I was borrowing my dad's ski jacket. It wasn't the brand's fault — I'd gone true to size without accounting for the intentionally boxy Nuptse silhouette. Lesson learned: always look at the model images and check whether it's described as "relaxed fit" or "slim fit" before you commit.

Here are my top tips for getting your TNF order right:

Always measure your bust and hips before ordering outerwear — your actual measurements matter more than your usual dress size here.
Check whether the specific jacket is designed to be "relaxed" or "slim" fit — it'll say in the product description and it makes a significant difference to how you should size.
If you're buying for hiking or skiing and plan to layer heavily underneath, go up a size in any shell or insulated jacket.
For the everyday puffer worn over thin layers, size down or go true to size depending on whether you prefer a fitted or more relaxed look.
Petite shoppers — check the inseam or length measurements on trousers and longer styles. The brand caters well to taller frames by default.

Brilliant Alternatives to The North Face

Whether budget is the sticking point or you just want to explore the broader market for technical and outdoor-inspired fashion, here's where I'd send my clients:

High Street & Accessible Picks

Barbour — The British outdoor heritage brand par excellence. Their quilted jackets and waxed cotton styles are TNF-adjacent in terms of functionality but with a distinctly British countryside aesthetic. Consistently well reviewed and genuinely hardwearing.
Fat Face — Brilliant for relaxed, outdoorsy casual wear. Fleeces, puffers and layering pieces that hold up well and are cut generously without being shapeless. A great everyday alternative.
Seasalt Cornwall — Sustainability-conscious British brand that makes excellent layering pieces, fleeces, and waterproof styles with a relaxed coastal feel. Really thoughtful sizing with good coverage for curvier figures.
Joules — Cheerful, functional outdoor clothing with a slightly more fashion-forward edge than pure technical brands. Their puffers and waterproofs punch above their price point.
Superdry — The brand divides opinion but their outerwear — particularly puffers and technical jackets — is genuinely impressive for the price. Regularly recommended in men's and women's outdoor jacket roundups.
Sweaty Betty — Not strictly outdoorsy, but if you're looking for technical base layers, leggings, and fleece-lined running pieces as alternatives to TNF's performance range, Sweaty Betty is one of the best in the business and cuts beautifully for women's bodies.
Lands' End — Massively underrated in the UK. Their insulated jackets, fleeces and waterproof styles offer excellent value and the sizing is particularly reliable for women, including extended sizing options.
Timberland — Shares a similar outdoorsy DNA to TNF. Their women's outerwear is solid and consistently well reviewed, particularly the insulated puffer styles.

Two Independent Brands Worth Discovering

Finisterre — A Cornish brand built around cold-water surfing and coastal living, Finisterre makes genuinely exceptional technical outerwear with serious sustainability credentials. Their women's insulated jackets and fleeces are beautifully constructed and cut with a flattering, feminine shape. If you've never explored them, you're missing out.
Passenger Clothing — An independent UK outdoor lifestyle brand that produces fleeces, puffers, and technical casual pieces using recycled materials. The fit is relaxed and the aesthetics are understated in the best possible way — think premium feel at a far more accessible price. A genuine discovery for anyone who loves the TNF look without the logo.

Stop Guessing Your Size — Let Tellar Do the Work

Sizing across outdoor and technical brands is more complicated than fashion brands — letter sizes, US versus UK conversions, and fit-for-purpose construction all mean your usual size doesn't always translate. Tellar takes the guesswork out of it entirely.

Tellar is the UK's leading clothing sizing tool — enter your measurements once and instantly get your correct size across 1,500+ brands, from The North Face to your everyday high street favourites. Completely free, no downloads required.

Measure once — bust, waist, hips, or use a brand size you already know fits
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to find your exact size in The North Face and 1,500+ other brands instantly
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And while you're there, explore the Tellar Fashion Hub — a library of free, honest, unsponsored posts from our team of stylists. Real advice, no agendas.