What Is Sizing Like at Hades?

Hades knitwear generally runs true to size with a relaxed, slightly boxy shape — but because every piece is handcrafted in small batches from pure lambswool, the fit can shift a little from style to style, which is exactly why I tell clients to buy by their measurements, not the label.

I’ve styled a fair few Hades pieces over the years, and they’re some of my favourite things to work with: bold, characterful, and built to last. But they’re also the kind of brand where getting the size right is the difference between “this is now my signature jumper” and “this lives at the back of the wardrobe”. So let me walk you through it properly.

First, who actually are Hades?

Hades is a British knitwear label founded in 2016, handcrafted across England, Scotland and Spain. The jumpers and scarves are knitted from 100% pure lambswool in Hawick, Scotland — the spiritual home of British knitwear — while the cardigans are made in Spain. You’ll know them for their Alphabet jumpers, their band collaborations with the likes of David Bowie, The Cure and Blondie, plus slogan scarves and screen-printed skirts. They’ve been featured in Vogue, and once you’ve worn one you understand why — these are proper investment pieces, usually sitting around the £200 mark.

So how does the sizing run?

Here’s what to expect before you add to basket:

True to size, with room. Most styles come up true to your usual UK size, just with a relaxed, slightly oversized body. If you normally take a UK 10, the standard size will fit — with a comfy, room-to-layer feel rather than something fitted.
Boxy through the shoulder and body. The signature silhouette is squarer than a high-street jumper. Shoulder width matters more than bust here, so that’s the measurement to have to hand.
It varies piece to piece. Small-batch production means two jumpers in the same “size” can feel marginally different. It’s part of the charm, but it’s also why guessing is risky.
Lambswool relaxes. Pure wool gives a little with wear and softens beautifully, so resist the urge to size up “to be safe” — you’ll end up swimming in it.
Jumpers and cardigans differ. Because the cardigans are made in Spain and the jumpers in Scotland, they don’t always follow identical measurements. Treat them as two separate sizing conversations.

A quick fit confession

I’ll be honest — my first Hades buy was a fail. I sized up on a band jumper thinking “cosy is good”, and it ended up looking like I’d borrowed it from someone two sizes bigger. My second go, I bought my true size based on shoulder and bust, wore it half-tucked into high-waisted trousers, and it became the piece people stop me about in the street. Lesson learned: with statement knitwear, fit is the outfit. Buy true, and let the design do the talking.

How I’d style it

Half-tuck into wide-leg or straight trousers to define a waist against the boxy shape.
Layer over a crisp white shirt with the collar left out for that art-school look.
Let an oversized one fall over a slip skirt and boots — effortless and very now.

Where else to shop for statement knitwear

If you love the Hades spirit but want options across budgets, here’s where I’d send my clients.

High street

Whistles — Grown-up, design-led knits with a modern edge; brilliant for elevated everyday.
Jigsaw — Quietly luxurious wool and cashmere-blend knits that last for years.
White Stuff — Playful, motif-led jumpers with the same sense of fun as Hades.
Boden — Colour and pattern done joyfully; their lambswool jumpers are a genuine alternative.
Seasalt Cornwall — Characterful, often-patterned knits with a lovely textural quality.
Joules — Quirky British knits with personality and reliable wool quality.
Monsoon — Bohemian, textured pieces for anyone who likes a bit of drama.
Mint Velvet — Relaxed-luxe knits with that easy, throw-on slouch.

Premium

Me&Em — Beautifully considered British knitwear with thoughtful, flattering fits.
Reiss — Polished, contemporary knits that bridge work and weekend.
Massimo Dutti — Superb wool and cashmere quality for the price point.

Luxury & designer

Max Mara — The gold standard for investment knitwear and statement texture.
Ganni — Contemporary Scandi-cool with the same bold, collectible energy as Hades.

Two left-field independents I genuinely love

Donna Wilson — A Scottish designer making quirky, character-packed lambswool knits; arguably Hades’s closest spiritual cousin.
Quinton Chadwick — A British design duo known for bold colour and graphic pattern, all knitted in the UK.

How Tellar takes the guesswork out

This is exactly why I built Tellar. It’s the UK’s leading free sizing tool: you measure once — bust, waist, hip, or simply enter a brand size you already own — and it instantly matches your body to 1,500+ brands, including independent gems like Hades. No more squinting at vague size charts or gambling on a £200 jumper.

Measure once, in seconds — no app, no download, works straight in your browser.
Get your precise size in any brand with the Store Size Lookup — COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket and more.
Always honest, always unbiased, always free.

And once you’ve found your fit, dive into the Tellar Fashion Hub — a library stacked with free posts from our stylists. Honest. Unbiased. Independent. Always free.

Stop guessing your size.

Match your body to 1,500+ brands in seconds — free, in-browser, and never look at a size guide again.

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