What Is Sizing Like at Burberry Menswear?

Burberry menswear runs true to size, but on the trim, tailored side — proper British cut, not roomy American fit. Sizing is UK-based, so a medium behaves like a medium and a 40 like a 40, yet everything sits close to the body and the outerwear is cut to layer over a jacket.

The short version on fit

Across the collection, here's how it tends to land:

Casual pieces (tees, polos, sweats) — true to size, but slim through the chest and arm. Broad lads may want to go up one.
Knitwear and shirts — true to size and tailored. Size up if you like a bit of air or plan to layer.
Tailoring and outerwear — true to your jacket size, but engineered with room to go over layers.
Trainers and shoes — tend to run a touch large. Half a size down suits most feet.

The trench is its own beast

This is the piece everyone gets wrong. Burberry's heritage trenches come in three named fits, and knowing which is which will save you a world of grief:

Waterloo — the relaxed, roomier cut (historically the oversized one).
Kensington — the classic, regular fit and the safe default for most men.
Chelsea — the slim fit. Sharp, but no good over a chunky knit.

All three are built to be worn over tailoring, so if you want a modern coat to throw over a tee and jeans, plenty of men take one size down from their usual jacket size. It's the single biggest reason a "correct" size can still feel like a tent.

A fail I'll own: I once grabbed a preloved trench in "my" 40 without checking the fit name, and ended up looking like I'd raided my dad's wardrobe — shoulders halfway to my elbows. The win that fixed it: I later put a client into a Kensington in his true size over a fine-gauge merino, belt cinched, and it looked like a million quid for a fraction of the price. The lesson both times: with Burberry, the fit name matters as much as the number.

If Burberry isn't the one — where else to look

Sometimes the fit, the budget or the wait isn't right, and that's fine. These are the houses I send men to for that same tailored-British-heritage feel, split by tier so you can shop to your budget.

HIGH STREET

Reiss — the closest high-street match for Burberry's clean, tailored line. Slim through the body, so it flatters a lean frame; broader builds should try the next size. Their macs and overcoats are the standout.
COS — minimalist and beautifully cut, with a slightly more relaxed, modern shoulder than Reiss. Excellent for anyone who finds Burberry a shade too fitted but still wants that quiet, expensive look.

INDEPENDENT & BOUTIQUE

Oliver Spencer — British menswear with a softer, less rigid tailoring. Runs true to size with a relaxed drape, ideal if you want smart without feeling strapped in.
Private White V.C. — Manchester-made outerwear and the genuine heritage alternative to a Burberry trench. Structured, generous enough to layer, and built to last decades.

DESIGNER & LUXURY

Paul Smith — British designer tailoring with a slim, defined cut and a bit of wit in the detailing. Runs on the fitted side, so size up if you're between.
Mackintosh — the original rubberised-coat house. If it's the trench silhouette you're after in true luxury, this is the purist's pick; buy your jacket size and let it sit clean.
Aquascutum — Burberry's oldest rival in British rainwear, with a slightly more classic, forgiving fit through the body. A brilliant option if Burberry's cut feels sharp on you.

Never guess a size again — with Tellar

The honest truth after twenty years of dressing men: the notes above get you close, but every body is different and Burberry's cut has drifted over the years. That's why we built Tellar — the UK's leading free sizing tool, matching your body to 1,500-plus brands instantly, so you never squint at a size guide again.

Measure once — use your chest, waist and hip, or just your size in a brand you already own. Here's how to measure, properly, in two minutes.
Use the Store Size Lookup to get your precise size in Burberry, Reiss, COS, Arket and hundreds more at tellar.co.uk/store-size-lookup/men.
Shop with confidence — no guesswork, fewer returns, better-fitting kit.
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And when you want the styling side sorted too, the Tellar Fashion Hub is a library of free posts from our stylists — honest, unbiased, independent and always free.

Find your exact Burberry size in seconds

Stop guessing and start buying the right size first time. Match your measurements to Burberry and 1,500+ other brands with Tellar's free Store Size Lookup — the UK's leading sizing tool.

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