What Is Sizing Like at Bench?

Bench runs slightly on the slim, fitted side, so most men are safe ordering their usual size — but if you like a bit of room through the chest and shoulders, or you layer a lot, go up one. It's a Manchester streetwear label at heart, so the cuts lean modern and close to the body rather than boxy. That's the short answer. Here's how I'd actually shop it.

The honest fit rundown

Bench built its name on urban casualwear — hoodies, joggers, tees, zip-throughs and jackets — and the fit reflects that heritage. Tops are cut with a bit of shape, so if you're used to the roomier high-street brands, a Bench medium can feel a touch trimmer than you'd expect. Nothing dramatic, but worth knowing before you buy blind.

T-shirts and tees: true to size for a clean, close fit. Size up if you want that oversized, sits-away-from-the-body look.
Hoodies and sweats: these are the ones people get caught out on. They're trimmer than you'd assume, so size up if you're layering over a tee or want the sleeves to sit long.
Jackets and outerwear: generally true to size, but check the chest measurement rather than trusting the letter on the label.
Joggers and shorts: reliable on the waist, tapered through the leg. If you've got fuller thighs, the slim styles will feel snug.

Learn this the way I did: I once ordered a Bench overhead hoodie in my usual L for a weekend away, pulled it on over a rugby shirt, and spent two days looking like I'd been shrink-wrapped. Since then I always size up on their heavier sweats and it's never let me down. Bench sizes by chest measurement (roughly a 38–41" chest sits in L), so the tape measure beats guesswork every time.

How I'd style it

Bench sits firmly in the smart-casual and off-duty lane, which is exactly where most men actually live. Keep it simple: a fitted zip-through over a plain tee, dark slim jeans or joggers, and clean trainers. For colder months, layer a Bench hoodie under an overshirt or a wax-look jacket for that grey-Manchester-morning energy the brand does so well. Stick to a tight palette — navy, charcoal, black, one hit of colour — and it always reads considered rather than thrown together.

Brands worth knowing if you like Bench

If Bench's casual, streetwear-leaning style is your thing, here's where else I'd send you across the price ladder.

Superdry — the closest high-street cousin. Similar urban energy, generous hoodie game, slightly fuller cut so easy to size on.
River Island — strong for trend-led casual separates and fitted tees at a sensible price.
Jack & Jones — Scandinavian casual done well; reliable joggers, denim and layering staples with clear fit blocks (Slim, Comfort, Loose).
Universal Works — a Nottingham independent doing elevated, workwear-inflected casuals with proper fabric and a relaxed cut.
Percival — London indie label with playful knits and casual shirting for when you want personality without going loud.
Stone Island — the luxury streetwear benchmark; technical outerwear and heavyweight sweats that hold their value.
C.P. Company — designer-level casual outerwear with real heritage; the grown-up upgrade on the streetwear tee-and-hoodie formula.

Stop guessing your size — let Tellar do it

Fit varies wildly between brands, and Bench is a perfect example of why the letter on the label means little on its own. Tellar.co.uk is the UK's leading sizing tool: measure once — bust, waist, hip, or just tell it a size you already own — and Tellar matches your body to over 1,500 brands instantly. No more squinting at a different size guide every time you shop.

Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your exact size in Bench, COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket and more. New to it? Start with the How to Measure guide. It works in your browser, needs no download, and is always free — fewer returns, better-fitting kit, zero guesswork.

And when you want honest, unbiased style advice, the Tellar Fashion Hub is a full library of free posts from our stylists. Always honest, always independent, always free.

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