What is sizing like at Fred Perry?

Fred Perry runs slim and a touch short. If you've spent the last decade living in a relaxed-fit wardrobe, that little laurel wreath will feel snug the first time you pull it on. That's not a fault — it's the whole point. The brand was built around a tailored, mod-era silhouette, and the cut has barely budged since the 1950s. Once you know that going in, you'll buy the right size first time and avoid the returns merry-go-round.

How Fred Perry actually fits

I've dressed a lot of men in that twin-tipped polo over the years, and the fit is remarkably consistent across the range. Here's the lay of the land, garment by garment:

The M3600 polo (the famous one): Slim and tailored through the chest and arms, with a shorter body than most modern polos. True to size for a lean or athletic build; if you're broader across the shoulders or carry a bit of chest, take the next size up.
Shirts: Cut close, especially the Oxford and gingham button-downs. Fine if you like a fitted look — size up if you want room to layer a tee underneath.
Harrington & track jackets: Trimmer than a classic Harrington, designed to sit close with a single layer beneath. Don't go too big or you lose the sharp line that makes them look good.
Knitwear: Slim with a neat, high armhole. Lovely under a coat, less forgiving over a heavy shirt.
Trousers & chinos: Slim straight as standard. Honest on the waist label — what it says is what you get.

The polo: the sizing rules that matter

The M3600 is made from a firm cotton piqué with very little give, so it won't "grow into you" the way a stretch polo might. A few things I tell every client:

It can shrink if you're careless. Wash cool and dry flat or on a low heat — a hot wash and a tumble dry will tighten the body and shorten it further. Treat it gently and it holds its shape for years.
Mind the arms. The sleeve is the first place a gym-going bloke feels the pinch. If the body fits but the bicep is tight, size up rather than fight it.
Made in England vs the main line. The pricier Made in England polos use a slightly heavier loopback piqué and can feel a hair boxier and more "authentic" than the standard range. Worth knowing if you're buying online and comparing two listings.

What to buy and how to wear it in 2026

Fred Perry is having a quiet moment again, and not just with the terrace-and-mod crowd. The clean retro look reads sharp against all the oversized tailoring everyone's wearing. My picks this season:

The classic twin-tipped polo in a tonal colourway. Navy with navy tipping, black on black — understated, grown-up, and it dodges the football-casual cliché.
A Harrington over a plain tee and straight jeans. The single most reliable smart-casual outfit a man can own. Roll the sleeves an inch.
A knitted polo for the colder months. Tucked loosely into pleated trousers, it bridges that gap between weekend and a relaxed office beautifully.

And a confession, because I promised honesty: years ago I ordered a Made in England polo a size down for a shoot, convinced "slim" meant "wear it small". It looked like I'd borrowed it from a younger, smaller cousin — the body rode up the second I lifted my arms. The replacement, one size up, has been in my own rotation ever since. Lesson learned: with Fred Perry, the right size is the one that lets you move.

Brands to know if you love the Fred Perry look

If that mod-meets-sportswear thing is your wardrobe's natural home, here's where else I'd send you across three price points — and why.

High street

Ben Sherman — Fred Perry's natural rival and arguably its sibling. Gingham button-downs and slim polos that fit almost identically, so your Fred Perry size usually carries straight over.
Lyle & Scott — Scottish heritage with that golden eagle. The polos and lambswool knits sit slim and tidy, and the terrace crossover gives it the same casual edge.
Original Penguin — The American cousin of the retro polo. A touch roomier through the body, great if Fred Perry feels a shade too close.

Independent & boutique

Baracuta — The originators of the G9 Harrington, full stop. If you want the real article that Fred Perry's jackets nod to, this is it. Cut slightly boxier and true to size.
Merc London — Carnaby Street mod specialists doing paisley shirts, fishtail parkas and slim polos. Smaller label, sharper detailing, fits close like Fred Perry.
Gabicci Vintage — Knitted polos and soul-boy collars in that 60s/70s palette. A little more relaxed in the cut, and brilliant for standing out from the navy-polo crowd.

Designer & luxury

Lacoste — The original sports polo. The L.12.12 piqué fits classic-to-roomy, so it's the easy upgrade if you find Fred Perry's body a fraction tight.
C.P. Company — Italian sportswear royalty for the terrace-and-tech crowd. Beautiful dyeing and outerwear; cut generously enough to layer.
Pringle of Scotland — Heritage knitwear done properly — argyle, fine-gauge polos and jumpers with real provenance and a premium hand-feel.

Stop guessing your size — let Tellar do the maths

Here's the thing about buying slim-fit brands online: a "Medium" at Fred Perry isn't a Medium everywhere, and that's exactly how returns pile up. Tellar is the UK's leading sizing tool — it matches your body to 1,500+ brands instantly, so you never have to squint at a size guide again.

Measure once using chest, waist or your existing brand size
Get your precise size in any brand — COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket and more
Shop with confidence: no guesswork, fewer returns, better-fitting kit
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Alongside the tool sits the Tellar Fashion Hub: a library of free posts from our stylists. Honest. Unbiased. Independent. Always free — real style advice, top picks and the best brands, with no sponsorship pulling the strings.

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