What Is Sizing Like at Comme des Garçons Menswear?

Comme des Garçons menswear runs small — but "small" is only half the answer. The thing most guides get wrong is treating CDG as one label when it's really a family of very different lines, and each one fits in its own way. As a general rule, take your usual size, expect it to feel a touch tighter than the British high-street equivalent, then adjust depending on which line you're buying. Why CDG sizing catches people out

Most of the confusion comes down to grading. Comme des Garçons uses Japanese and French sizing across much of its range, and neither maps cleanly onto UK labelling. A Japanese "M" is not a British "M". On top of that, Rei Kawakubo's whole design language plays with proportion on purpose — some pieces hug the body, others are deliberately architectural and boxy. So before you even think about size, know which line you're looking at.

How each line actually fits

CDG PLAY — size up, always

The heart-logo tees, cardigans and hoodies are where most people meet the brand, and they run very small — particularly through the chest and arms. I'd go up a full size from your usual as standard. If you're a true UK medium in a normal tee, you're likely an L, sometimes an XL, in PLAY.

CDG SHIRT — the roomiest of the lot

The SHIRT diffusion line is cut fuller and boxier through the body than the tailored Homme collections, so plenty of men actually size down one from their Homme size here. The catch is the shoulders, which can run narrow — so if you're broad up top, check the shoulder measurement rather than trusting the label.

Homme Plus & Homme Deux — slim and sharp

This is the tailored, fashion-forward end of the house. Cuts are lean and shoulders are precise, so on structured blazers and jackets a lot of broader builds end up going up a size purely to clear the shoulders. Try before you commit if you can.

Mainline & runway outerwear — big on purpose

If you buy a mainline coat and it arrives like a tent, that's not a mistake — the volume is the point. Don't try to "correct" it by sizing down, or you'll lose the silhouette entirely.

PLAY x Converse — go the other way

One exception worth knowing: the Converse collaborations run large. Drop half a size from your usual trainer, and remember all CDG footwear is graded in EU sizing.

How I'd style it

I learned the PLAY lesson the hard way. Years ago I bought the heart cardigan in my "correct" size, wore it once, and spent the whole evening feeling like I'd been shrink-wrapped. Sized up, bought it again, and it's been a wardrobe staple ever since — proof that with this brand the label is a suggestion, not gospel.

My rule for wearing CDG well is to let one piece do the talking. A PLAY tee under an unstructured blazer with relaxed trousers and a clean trainer is the easiest win going. Right now the strong move is contrast in proportion — a fitted top half against a wider, cropped trouser, which is exactly where menswear has been heading this season. Keep everything else quiet and let the design breathe.

Brands to know across every budget

If you love the considered, slightly leftfield CDG look but want more predictable sizing elsewhere in your wardrobe, these are the labels I keep coming back to.

High street

• COS — the easiest entry to the architectural, minimalist look. Sizing is consistent and close to true, so it's a safe base layer under CDG statement pieces.

• Uniqlo — Japanese, clean and slim-ish, with brilliant tees and knitwear to layer underneath. The U and designer collab lines add genuine design credibility for the money.

• Arket — roomier and more relaxed than COS, with quality basics that hold their shape. A good shout if you find COS a touch narrow.

Independent & boutique

• Universal Works — British, workwear-influenced and cut with a relaxed, forgiving fit that suits most builds without any guesswork.

• Folk — considered and artisanal, but note it uses its own numeric grading (0–6), so measure before you order rather than assuming.

• YMC — understated and slightly offbeat, generally true to size with a gently relaxed cut. A dependable middle ground.

Designer & luxury

• Homme Plissé Issey Miyake — the Japanese avant-garde cousin, built on stretchy pleats that are far more forgiving than CDG. A welcome contrast if PLAY left you feeling boxed in.

• Yohji Yamamoto — oversized, draped and dressed in black. Buy into the volume here; sizing down defeats the entire point.

Never guess your CDG size again

Comme des Garçons is exactly the kind of brand that makes online shopping a gamble — different grading on every line, Japanese sizing, and cuts designed to break the rules. That's where Tellar comes in. It's the UK's leading free sizing tool, matching your body to over 1,500 brands instantly so you never squint at a size guide again.

Measure once — using bust, waist, hip, or simply a brand size you already own — then let the Store Size Lookup tool give you your precise size in CDG, COS, Arket, Reiss and more. No downloads, works in your browser, and it's always free. New to it? Start with our quick how to measure guide for men.

You'll also find the Tellar Fashion Hub: a library of honest, unbiased, independent posts from our stylists — no adverts, no sponsored picks, always free. A few to read next:

The secret to smart-casual comfort · Best men's jeans brands: high street to designer · How to do casual style well

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