What Is Sizing Like at AAPE by A Bathing Ape?

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

AAPE by A Bathing Ape runs small – typically one to two full sizes smaller than standard UK sizing – so if you're a UK 10, plan to pick up a Medium or even a Large, and always check the brand's specific measurements before you buy. I learnt this the hard way when I ordered my first AAPE hoodie in what I thought was my usual size and ended up with something that looked better suited to a child. Not my finest fashion moment. Since then I've done my research, and I'm sharing everything you need to know so you can avoid the same headache.

Why Does AAPE Sizing Run So Small?

AAPE is the streetwear diffusion line from the iconic Japanese label A Bathing Ape (BAPE), and like most Japanese brands, it follows Asian sizing conventions. Asian garment sizing – particularly Japanese – is built around a different average body shape to UK and European sizing, with narrower shoulders, a slimmer torso, and shorter sleeve and body lengths as standard.

On top of that, AAPE's aesthetic is rooted in Japanese streetwear, which traditionally leans into a fitted, cropped silhouette on pieces like T-shirts and bombers. When you pair Asian base sizing with a style-intentional slim cut, you end up with something that feels significantly more fitted than the label suggests.

AAPE Size Conversion Chart

Use this as your starting point – but always cross-reference with the individual product measurements, as the cut can vary between garment styles:

AAPE Label SizeUK Women's SizeEU SizeUS SizeBust (cm)Waist (cm)XS6–834–362–480–8462–66S8–1036–384–684–8866–70M10–1238–408–1088–9270–74L12–1440–4210–1292–9674–78XL14–1642–4412–1496–10078–82

Note: AAPE produces many pieces as unisex or from the men's range. Men's cuts tend to run wider across the shoulders, so if you're buying from a unisex or men's listing, you may be able to go a size down from the women's equivalent above.

How Does Sizing Work Across Different AAPE Pieces?

The golden rule with AAPE is that it's never a one-size-fits-all approach across garment categories. Here's my honest breakdown by piece:

Hoodies & Sweatshirts

This is where AAPE really shines, and it's where most people start their collection. Go up one full size for a fashionably baggy streetwear look, or two sizes if you want that proper oversized drop-shoulder effect. If you prefer a closer, smarter fit, stick to the straight size-up from the table above. The cotton-fleece blend is genuinely lovely – thick, well-structured, and it holds its shape wash after wash. I've had mine for two years and it still looks brand new.

T-Shirts & Graphic Tees

AAPE tees are cut very slim and short in the body. As a UK 10, I size up to a Medium as an absolute minimum. The graphic tees – and there are some genuinely brilliant ones, the camo ape head prints are iconic – are often styled cropped intentionally, so if you want a standard-length tee rather than a cropped one, size up two. The print quality is genuinely premium for the price point and doesn't crack or fade the way cheaper streetwear brands' graphics do.

Jackets & Bombers

The bombers and zip-ups have slightly more generous cuts than the tees, but the shoulders are still narrow. Size up one from your usual, and do check sleeve length carefully if you're tall – I'm 5'7" and the sleeves on a standard AAPE bomber hit just right, but I've heard taller women find them cropped. The MA-1 style bombers are a highlight of the range – structured enough to look polished, relaxed enough to wear with joggers or throw over a slip dress.

Joggers & Trousers

The waist on AAPE joggers runs quite small relative to the hip and thigh. If you carry any volume through your hips, size up based on your hip measurement rather than your waist. The elasticated waist gives some flexibility, but the leg opening on tapered styles is genuinely slim. The quality of the joggers is excellent – heavy cotton jersey, proper drawstring, and well-placed pockets. Worth the investment if you're building a streetwear capsule.

Caps & Accessories

Caps are usually one-size-fits-most with adjustable straps – no sizing stress here whatsoever. If you're curious about the brand but feeling cautious about the clothing sizing, a cap or tote is the perfect entry point. The quality is consistent and the branding is subtle enough to work with almost anything.

My Honest Styling Take on AAPE

AAPE works best when you lean into the aesthetic rather than fight it. The oversized hoodies look brilliant styled with slim-cut denim, wide-leg trousers, or cycling shorts – the contrast between the relaxed top and a fitted bottom is where the magic happens. The bombers are surprisingly versatile; I've worn mine over a satin slip dress with chunky trainers for a fashion-week-adjacent look that genuinely worked. Think Harajuku meets East London – bold, confident, and considered.

That said, AAPE is resolutely casual and streetwear-coded. It's not a brand for the office (unless your office is a creative studio or a skate brand). But for weekend dressing, festival season, or anyone building a capsule around statement basics with genuine cultural credibility, AAPE delivers something that most high street brands simply can't replicate.

Where Else to Shop for Streetwear-Inspired Pieces in Reliable UK Sizing

If the sizing puzzle puts you off, or you simply want pieces with a similar streetwear aesthetic but in predictable UK sizing, here are my honest recommendations across all price points:

High Street Picks:

Urban Outfitters – The closest in aesthetic to AAPE on the high street. Brilliant for oversized graphic tees, heavyweight hoodies, and bombers in full UK sizing. Their BDG line in particular hits the right notes.
ASOS – Stocks a huge range of streetwear-adjacent brands alongside their own label. Excellent for AAPE-style pieces in a reliable UK size range, with strong photography so you can judge the fit before you buy.
All Saints – For the grown-up, polished version of the bomber aesthetic. Their leather and suede MA-1s are investment pieces that genuinely last and come in consistent UK sizing.
H&M – Surprisingly good for graphic streetwear tees and oversized hoodies at very accessible price points. Their Divided collection often catches the right cultural moment.
Zara – Stronger than you'd expect in the oversized hoodie and graphic tee territory. Once you know your Zara size it's remarkably consistent, which makes online ordering far less of a gamble.
Calvin Klein – Particularly strong for logo-driven pieces and clean streetwear-adjacent jogger sets. The quality at the price point is genuinely impressive, and sizing is reliable throughout.
Levi's – For the denim half of the streetwear equation. A classic 501 or a vintage wash relaxed jean is the perfect foil to an AAPE or AAPE-adjacent hoodie.

Independent Picks (fresh finds worth knowing):

Percival – A brilliant London-based independent label doing elevated, quality-led streetwear basics with a distinctive edge. Their garment-dyed pieces and graphic sweatshirts are beautiful, sizing is straightforward UK throughout, and they're genuinely building something special.
Hikerdelic – A lesser-known Manchester independent with strong Japanese streetwear influences – colourful, graphic, unapologetically bold. A genuine find for anyone who loves the AAPE world but wants something more original, UK-produced, and properly sized.

Premium Options:

Carhartt WIP – The gold standard for premium workwear-meets-streetwear. Excellent and consistent sizing, build quality that genuinely lasts years, and a cool factor that has never waned.
Stüssy – The original streetwear brand and still one of the best. Graphics and quality are exceptional, and sizing tends to run slightly more generously than AAPE.

Luxury Options:

Palm Angels – The luxury version of the Japanese streetwear aesthetic. Immaculate graphic hoodies and track jackets with serious design credentials and a refined Italian-American edge.
Kenzo – Japanese heritage meets Parisian luxury, with bold graphic prints and genuine streetwear energy in a more size-inclusive luxury cut. The tiger motif pieces are iconic for a reason.

Stop Guessing Your Size – Use Tellar

The reason I built Tellar was exactly this kind of sizing chaos. Waiting for a delivery, trying something on, and watching it either slide off your shoulders or refuse to zip up is genuinely infuriating – especially when you've paid for express shipping. Tellar.co.uk is the UK's leading free sizing tool, matching your exact body measurements to the right size across 1,500+ brands instantly. No subscriptions, no downloads, no faff.

Here's how it works:

Measure once – bust, waist, and hip is all you need
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size in any brand – AAPE, COS, Reiss, Arket, and 1,500 more
Always free – no downloads, no subscription, works instantly in your browser

And the Tellar Fashion Hub is stacked with honest, unsponsored posts like this one – written by real stylists, no brand bias, no ads. Just genuinely useful fashion guidance.

→ Visit Tellar.co.uk→ Use the Free Store Size Lookup Tool