What is Sizing Like at Acne Studios Jeans? The Complete Guide

Ah, Acne Studios jeans – the Swedish brand that's become absolutely massive in 2025, especially with the whole Y2K revival in full swing. If you've been scrolling through Instagram and seeing everyone from Kylie Jenner to Charli XCX in those gorgeously slouchy 1981 jeans, you're probably wondering: how on earth do these things fit?

I'm going to be completely honest with you – Acne Studios sizing is a bit of a minefield, and I learned this the hard way when I first ordered a pair online. Let me save you from my mistakes!

The Acne Studios Sizing Conundrum

Here's the thing that catches everyone out: Acne Studios uses European (German) sizing, and different styles fit completely differently from each other. Unlike brands where once you know your size, you're sorted across the board, with Acne you genuinely need to approach each style individually.

The General Sizing Picture

The consensus is quite mixed, which I know isn't particularly helpful! But here's what I've found:

Stretchy styles: Most people recommend sizing down one size because they contain 2% elastic and will stretch
Rigid denim styles: These tend to run more true to size
The baggy fits (like the 1981): Designed to be oversized, so if you want a higher rise or closer fit, size down
Body type matters hugely: As one forum user brilliantly put it, "Acne is made for skinny Nordic-type figures" – if you're curvier, you might need your usual size or even to size up

Breaking Down the Popular Styles

Right, let's get into the specifics because this is where it really matters.

The 1981 (The Instagram Favourite)

These are THE jeans everyone's wearing right now. I finally caved and bought a pair last autumn, and honestly? They're brilliant, but the sizing threw me completely.

The fit: Low to mid-rise waist, wide baggy legs, long length. They're designed to sit low and have that effortlessly slouchy vibe.

Sizing advice:

Run large and are designed for a baggy fit
Acne themselves recommend sizing down if you want a higher rise
Shopbop notes "runs large; designed for a baggy fit. For a higher and closer fit, size down"
They're unisex, which adds another layer of complexity!

My experience: I'm usually a 27 in most premium denim. I ordered the 1981 in both a 26 and 27 because I was terrified of getting it wrong (these jeans are £500+, so mistakes are expensive!). The 27 was absolutely massive on me – swimming, really. The 26 gave me that perfect slouchy-but-intentional look. So yes, definitely size down with these.

The 2021M (The Wide-Leg Wonder)

The fit: Loose fit with a mid waist, wide leg, and long length. Less baggy than the 1981 but still very relaxed.

Sizing advice:

Shopbop customers consistently say "runs small, please size up"
This is interesting because it's the opposite advice to the 1981!
Mid-rise means it sits at your natural waist, not low like the 1981

I haven't personally tried these yet, but based on the reviews, I'd go with my true size or possibly one up.

The 2006M (The Super Baggy)

The fit: Low waist, shaped wide leg, super baggy. Think extreme Y2K proportions.

Sizing advice:

Made from non-stretch cotton canvas
Designed for exaggerated proportions
Because there's no stretch, they won't mould to you like the 1981

The 2022 (The High-Rise Straight)

The fit: High waist, wide straight leg, regular fit. More structured than the other styles.

Sizing advice:

Cut to a regular fit from rigid denim
No stretch means more true to size
The high waist makes a huge difference to how they sit

The Stretch Factor

This is crucial: many Acne Studios jeans contain 2% elastic. It doesn't sound like much, but over time they do stretch out. I learned this with a pair of their Max Cash jeans (before they discontinued them – still gutted about that!). They were snug when I first got them, but after a few wears, they relaxed beautifully.

The rigid denim styles (100% cotton) won't give you this flexibility, so factor that into your sizing decisions.

My Personal Sizing Journey (AKA Expensive Lessons)

Let me share my actual sizes to give you some context:

Most premium denim (Frame, Citizens of Humanity, AG): 27
Acne Studios 1981: 26
Acne Studios denim shorts: 25 (they run true to size)

The shorts situation is interesting because they genuinely do run true to size – I'm a 25 in other denim shorts (AGOLDE, Citizens of Humanity) and the same in Acne. So it really does depend on the specific style.

The Length Situation

Something nobody talks about enough: Acne jeans run LONG. Like, really long. Even the "regular" lengths are generous, which is brilliant if you're tall (lucky you!), but if you're under 5'7", you'll probably need to get them hemmed or embrace the puddle look.

I'm 5'5" and I have to roll my 1981s or get them taken up. It's just part of the Acne experience at this point!

Top Tips for Getting Your Size Right

After all my trial and error (and returns!), here's what I recommend:

Read the specific product description carefully – Acne provides garment measurements for most items. Click "size guide" then "garment measurements" on their website
Check reviews on the retailer's site – Shopbop and Mr Porter usually have helpful size feedback
Consider the rise – Low-rise jeans that are designed to sit below your waist will fit very differently from high-rise styles
Factor in the fabric – Stretch denim vs rigid cotton makes a massive difference
Order two sizes if possible – Yes, it's a faff, but with jeans this expensive, it's worth it
Try them in person if you can – Seriously, if there's a stockist near you, go try them on first

Where to Try/Buy in the UK

Because Acne Studios jeans are such an investment (we're talking £400-£700), I really recommend trying before buying if possible.

Department Stores:

Selfridges – Brilliant denim section with knowledgeable staff who can help with sizing
Harrods – Good selection of Acne denim
Liberty London – Carries select Acne styles

Acne Studios Stores:

Dover Street (London) – The flagship store with the full range
Sloane Street (London)

Online with Good Returns:

Mr Porter – Excellent customer service and easy returns
Matches Fashion – Great for seeing multiple styles side by side
Selfridges online – Same stock as in-store
Shopbop – Ships to UK, customer reviews are really helpful
Acne Studios website – Obviously has everything, plus you can contact their customer care team for sizing advice

High Street Alternatives

Look, I love Acne Studios jeans, but let's be real – not everyone wants to spend £500+ on a pair of jeans. If you're after that same slouchy, Y2K-inspired vibe, here are some alternatives:

COS Volume Jeans – Frequently mentioned as the best affordable alternative to the 1981
& Other Stories – Their wide-leg denim has a similar Scandi minimalist vibe
Arket – Another Swedish brand with excellent denim at more accessible prices
Monki – For the really baggy Y2K fits on a budget
ASOS Design – Surprising good for trend-led wide-leg styles
Zara – Always quick to copy the trends, often has Acne-inspired cuts
Mango – Their premium denim line has some lovely relaxed fits

The Bottom Line

Acne Studios jeans sizing is genuinely confusing, and there's no one-size-fits-all answer (pun absolutely intended). The key takeaways:

The 1981: Size down for a better fit
The 2021M: Runs small, consider sizing up
Stretchy styles: Usually size down as they'll relax
Rigid denim: More true to size
Length: They run long on everyone

Is it a faff? Absolutely. Are they worth it when you finally get the right size? I think so – the quality is excellent, they hold their shape beautifully (even the stretchy ones), and there's something about wearing a pair of jeans that Kylie Jenner was photographed in last week that just feels good!

Just budget for potential alterations on the length, and maybe order from somewhere with free returns the first time round. Trust me, it's worth the extra effort.

Still confused about your size? Use Tellar's free sizing tools to compare your measurements across 1,500+ brands, including premium denim. It takes the guesswork out of shopping and means fewer returns – which is better for your bank balance and the planet!