What is Sizing Like at Arkive?

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

Sizing at Arkive varies by brand — because Arkive is a multi-brand retailer, not a single-label store, and each brand they stock has its own fit philosophy. That said, most of the labels you'll find there skew towards relaxed, unstructured streetwear silhouettes, which means you'll often want to think carefully about sizing down before you checkout — particularly on tops, hoodies, and outerwear.

If you've stumbled across Arkive Clothing online or walked past one of their stores in Scotland and wondered what to expect from sizing, I've got you covered. Here's everything I know.

So, What Actually Is Arkive?

Arkive Clothing is an independent Scottish lifestyle store with roots in Dundee (where it all began), and now with stores across Arbroath and Perth too. It's become one of Scotland's most respected independent streetwear and fashion destinations — and if you haven't come across it, think carefully curated casualwear, footwear, and urban fashion with a real personality behind it. Their women's section, often referred to as Arkive Girls, sits alongside their menswear and skate sections, and it's genuinely worth exploring for anyone into laid-back, considered style.

I'll admit, the first time I ordered from them online, I made the classic mistake of assuming that "M" meant the same as everywhere else. Spoiler: it didn't. Lesson learned.

The Core Sizing Challenge at a Multi-Brand Retailer

This is where things get interesting — and a little frustrating. Because Arkive stocks a range of brands (including Adidas, Carhartt WIP, Parlez, and others), there's no single universal size guide that applies across everything they sell. Every brand has its own block, its own fit philosophy, and its own relationship with what a "size 12" actually means.

As a general rule at Arkive:

Streetwear labels tend to be cut with a deliberately oversized or boxy silhouette — if you're petite or prefer a fitted look, size down
Unisex pieces (especially hoodies and sweatshirts) are designed for a relaxed, roomier fit — again, consider going down a size if you want shape
Outerwear can be generous — great for layering, not so great if you're buying it for a sleek fitted look
Jersey and activewear pieces tend to be more true to size
Footwear is generally accurate to standard UK sizing — no real surprises there

Key Brands at Arkive and How They Size Up

Carhartt WIP is a big one at Arkive. Originally workwear, their women's pieces have a relaxed, slightly oversized feel. I'd always recommend sizing down here if you're between sizes — their medium can feel closer to a large on a standard UK 12 frame.

Adidas women's pieces at Arkive tend to be more forgiving — most styles run true to size, but graphic tees and hoodies are intentionally big by design. If you want that classic relaxed sportswear vibe, go true to size. If you want it fitted, size down.

Parlez — a brilliant British brand that Arkive stocks — tends to cut their women's pieces with a clean, slightly tailored feel compared to some of the heavier streetwear names. I'd say these are close to true UK sizing, maybe even slightly generous around the torso.

The bottom line? Check each brand's individual size guide before buying, and if you're between sizes at Arkive, go smaller rather than larger — especially in knitwear and outerwear.

Tops, Knitwear & Outerwear at Arkive

Graphic tees, sweatshirts, and hoodies are the backbone of Arkive's women's edit — and they're almost all designed with volume in mind. I wore a size small in a Carhartt WIP sweatshirt from their site and it fit beautifully with room to spare over a thin long-sleeve underneath. Sizing up would have swamped me completely.

Outerwear is something to be a little more cautious with. Puffer jackets, workwear-style coats, and oversized bombers from this type of retailer tend to be cut for comfort, not for showing off a silhouette. Not a problem if that's your thing — but worth knowing before you order.

Shopping Arkive Online — My Top Tips

Always check the individual brand's size guide — Arkive tends to link to these on product pages
If you're petite (under 5'4"), consider sizing down on most tops and outerwear
Read customer reviews where available — fellow shoppers often flag fit quirks
When in doubt, go smaller — streetwear is far easier to pull off slightly fitted than too baggy
If you're buying footwear, standard UK sizing applies across most brands they stock

Alternatives if Arkive Isn't Quite Right for You

If the streetwear-led aesthetic of Arkive appeals but the sizing or range isn't landing for you, there are plenty of brilliant brands with a similar energy — both on the high street and further afield.

High Street Picks:

Urban Outfitters — the closest high street equivalent to Arkive's vibe; great for oversized tees, casual outerwear, and vintage-inspired pieces. Sizing tends to run slightly large.
Abercrombie & Fitch — has had a genuine glow-up in recent years. Their casualwear is brilliant quality and their sizing has become much more consistent and true to size.
ASOS — an enormous range of streetwear and indie-label pieces. Sizing varies by brand but their own label tends to run true to size.
Zara — fantastic for elevated casual looks; blazers, wide-leg trousers, and relaxed basics. Generally runs small to true to size — size up if in doubt.
Hollister — great for relaxed denim, casual joggers, and comfortable casualwear. Generally runs US sizing so go up a size from your usual UK number.
Tommy Hilfiger — where streetwear meets preppy. Reliable sizing, generally true to UK standards, with some beautifully cut casual pieces.
Mango — brilliant for casual-chic looks with a slightly more put-together edge. True to size in most categories, with the occasional tendency to run small in fitted tops.

Premium Options:

Reiss — elevated basics and smart-casual pieces. True to UK sizing with a clean, modern cut.
AllSaints — dark, edgy, effortlessly cool. Sizing runs slightly narrow, so check measurements carefully on fitted pieces.

Left Field Independent Picks:

Lazy Oaf — a London-based independent brand with a brilliantly playful, slightly chaotic aesthetic. Think bold prints, oversized shapes, and pieces that genuinely feel one-of-a-kind. Sizing is generally true to UK sizing but their oversized styles are intended to be worn with volume.
Hikerdelic — a Manchester-based independent label with roots in outdoor gear and streetwear. Their women's pieces are beautifully niche, well made, and carry a genuinely distinctive personality. Sizing is consistent and true to size.

Never Guess Your Size Again — Use Tellar

Shopping a multi-brand retailer like Arkive is exactly where a tool like Tellar.co.uk earns its keep. Instead of squinting at five different brand size guides and hoping for the best, Tellar matches your exact measurements — bust, waist, and hip — to over 1,500 brands instantly.

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