What Is Sizing Like at Didriksons?

Didriksons generally runs true to size, but it follows a Scandinavian fit philosophy – meaning slightly roomier cuts built for layering – and a handful of its parkas and coats are deliberately oversized, so your usual high-street size won’t always behave the way you expect. If you take one thing from this post, let it be that: most pieces are spot on, but you need to read each product before you click buy, because Didriksons treats “fit” as a design choice rather than a fixed rule.

I’ve been styling clients in outerwear for years, and Didriksons is one of those brands I genuinely trust to survive a British winter – it’s a Swedish house that’s been making functional weatherwear since 1913, originally for fishermen. That heritage matters, because it means the cut is engineered for movement and warmth first, and flattery second. Once you understand how they size, it’s actually one of the easiest brands to get right.

The Scandinavian fit, explained

Here’s the honest breakdown of how Didriksons sits on the body:

True to size for the majority of styles. Customers consistently report the garments match the brand’s own measurements well, so your normal size is usually the right starting point.
Roomier through the body. Cuts leave space for a jumper or fleece underneath – brilliant for real weather, but it can read as slightly boxy if you’re petite.
Some parkas are intentionally oversized. Styles like the Drew and Basil are designed to be generous, so don’t panic if they look huge on the hanger.
Between two sizes? Size down for snug, size up for loose. This is the brand’s own advice and it’s reliable.
Look for the “Extend Size” feature. Certain pieces let you lengthen the sleeves and legs – a quiet lifesaver if you’re tall.

How to actually pick your size

The trick with Didriksons is to ignore the size letter and read the fit label on each product page. Every garment is tagged as one of four fits – Narrow (close, follows your shape), Regular (classic, room for a layer), Relaxed (easy but not voluminous) or Oversized (deliberately big). Two coats in the same size can feel completely different depending on which label they carry.

For measuring, go by your chest for jackets and tops, and your hips first, waist second for trousers. I learned this the slightly embarrassing way: I once ordered a Regular-fit parka in my usual size expecting it snug, and it swallowed me – gorgeous for dog walks, useless for layering over a tailored blazer. I went down a size on the next one and it was perfect. The lesson? Decide what you’re actually wearing it over before you choose.

A stylist’s honest take on the fit

Didriksons isn’t trying to be a fashion brand and that’s precisely why it works. The waterproofing is genuinely excellent, the colours are smarter than most technical outerwear, and the longline parkas are flattering in a way puffa jackets rarely manage – they skim rather than balloon. If you want something more sculpted, stick to the Narrow or Regular fits and consider a belt; the shorter rain jackets are also more cropped and city-friendly if a full parka feels like too much.

Where else to shop for great outerwear

If Didriksons isn’t quite hitting the mark, or you want to compare before committing, here’s where I’d send clients depending on budget.

High street

Seasalt Cornwall – coastal waterproofs designed for genuinely wet British weather, with a softer, more feminine cut.
Joules – country-leaning rain jackets and quilted coats with a bit of colour and a flattering shape.
Fat Face – easy, casual outdoor pieces and fleeces that layer beautifully under a shell.
Superdry – strong on technical hooded jackets if you want a sportier, more youthful look.
Lands’ End – brilliant for properly warm down and rain coats that don’t cost a fortune.
Seasalt aside, M&S – reliable padded and parka styles, frequently updated and gentle on the wallet.
Next – dependable everyday parkas and shower-resistant macs in a wide size range.

Premium

Barbour – the heritage benchmark for waxed and quilted jackets; an investment that ages well and never dates.
Sweaty Betty – if you want technical performance with a sleeker, more athletic silhouette.

Luxury / designer

Moncler – the gold standard for high-shine down and serious cold-weather glamour.
Mackintosh – iconic British rubberised raincoats with a clean, architectural line.

Two left-field independents worth knowing

Stutterheim – a cult Swedish label making beautifully minimal rubberised raincoats; the “melancholy at its best” brand for anyone who wants Scandi rainwear with attitude.
Ilse Jacobsen – a Danish independent doing flattering, lightweight quilted and rain coats in lovely muted tones – a real hidden gem.

Never second-guess your size again

This is exactly the problem I built Tellar to solve. Tellar is the UK’s leading sizing tool: you measure once – using your bust, waist and hip, or simply a brand size you already own – and your body is matched instantly to over 1,500 brands. No more squinting at a size guide on your phone in a dark changing room.

Measure once, then forget about it.
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size in any brand – COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket and many more.
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