What Is Sizing Like at John Elliott?

By Ella Blake – Fashion Stylist | Tellar Fashion Hub – Always honest, unbiased & unsponsored

John Elliott sizing is generally true to size, but there are some important nuances depending on what you're buying: denim runs true to size in the waist but can feel snug through the thigh on athletic or curvier builds; oversized tops and sweats are intentionally generous but you should still stick to your normal size rather than sizing down; and outerwear fits true to size with room to layer. It's a brand that rewards knowing your measurements — and this post will walk you through exactly what to expect.

John Elliott launched in Los Angeles in 2012 and has quietly become one of the most covetable names in contemporary luxury streetwear. Founder John Elliott grew up in California with a deep love of sport and clean design, and that DNA is all over the clothes — think perfectly weighted sweatshirts, beautifully constructed denim, and relaxed tailoring that manages to look effortless rather than sloppy. The brand is unisex in spirit, with a women's collection that leans into that same oversized, minimal West Coast aesthetic. It's not cheap, but the quality is genuinely exceptional. If you've ever touched a John Elliott Mercer tee or pulled on a pair of their Cast 2 jeans, you'll understand immediately why people are obsessed.

How John Elliott Sizes Their Clothing

The brand uses standard US sizing — XS through to XL for most clothing, and numerical waist sizing (24–32) for denim. Converting to UK sizes is fairly straightforward:

John Elliott SizeUK Size (approx.)US SizeEU SizeXS6–82–434–36S8–104–636–38M10–128–1038–40L141242XL161444

Worth noting: these are guides, not guarantees. John Elliott cuts with a very specific silhouette in mind — clean, architectural, minimal. So even within a correct size, if you're broader across the shoulders or carry more volume through the hip, it's worth measuring carefully before ordering.

Denim: True to Size, But Check the Thigh

Their denim — most famously the Cast 2 — is true to size in the waist. That part is consistent and reliable. What catches people out is the cut through the thigh, which is tapered and deliberately slim. The brand describes it as a "tapered silhouette with a low rise at the front and higher rise at the back," which is a very specific shape. If you're athletic, have fuller thighs, or are used to brands that cut generously through the hip and thigh (hello, Levi's), size up one.

The Cast 2 Slim — the slimmest, most fitted cut; true to size in the waist but can feel tight in the thigh on curvier or more athletic builds; size up if in doubt
The Cast 2 Rigid — a fraction looser through the mid-thigh than the Slim; still a tapered fit but slightly more forgiving
The Wyatt — their most generously cut denim silhouette with a voluminous, relaxed shape; true to size throughout

Stylist tip: With John Elliott denim, measure your natural waist and compare it directly to their numerical size guide — don't just go by your usual UK dress size, as the fit is cut to actual measurements rather than vanity sizing.

Tops, Tees and Sweatshirts: Stick to Your Size

This is where a lot of people get tripped up — they see an oversized silhouette and assume they should size down. Don't. John Elliott's tees and sweats are designed with intentional volume, and sizing down typically results in something that looks shrunken and off rather than cool and relaxed. Their Mercer tee, the Villain sweatshirt, the Escobar sweatpants — all of these are true to size. If you want a slightly slimmer look, size down one, but know that's a style choice rather than a necessity.

Mercer tee — true to size; slim-fit classic crew with a slightly longer length that layers beautifully
Hooded Villain sweatshirt — true to size; a relaxed, heavy-weight hoodie with a boxy silhouette that's intended to look generous
Escobar sweatpants — true to size; size up one if you want a really relaxed, almost lounge-y fit
Curve U-Neck tee — true to size; probably the most feminine shape in the line-up with a relaxed U-neck that works brilliantly tucked or untucked

I'd also flag that the tees in particular run slightly long — which is intentional and works brilliantly for layering or half-tucking — but if you're petite, this is worth bearing in mind. A cropped tee they ain't.

Outerwear: True to Size With Layering Room

John Elliott outerwear is generally cut true to size and with enough ease to layer a midlayer underneath without sizing up. Their bombers in particular sit on that sweet spot between sharp and relaxed. If you're between sizes and plan to wear a chunky knit underneath in winter, go up. If you're wearing it over a tee in autumn, your regular size works perfectly.

A Note on John Elliott as a Women's Brand

It's worth being honest here — John Elliott started as menswear and in many ways still thinks in that direction. The women's collection is largely unisex in its aesthetic, which I actually love, but it does mean the cuts are not shaped for a traditionally feminine silhouette. There's very little waist definition and the proportions skew long and boxy. If that's your thing (and for many of us it absolutely is), it's wonderful. If you usually shop for fitted, shaped pieces, it might not be the right brand for you — and that's not a sizing problem, it's just an aesthetic one.

Where to Shop If John Elliott Is Out of Your Budget

John Elliott sits in the premium-to-luxury bracket — tees from around £80, sweatshirts from £150, denim from £200+. Here are the brands I'd point you towards for that same clean, minimal, West Coast-inspired energy at various price points:

High street picks:

COS — the closest thing on the UK high street to John Elliott's clean, architectural aesthetic. Beautifully cut basics with minimal branding and excellent fabric quality. Sizing is consistent and true to size.
Zara — their premium basics lines in particular have a real John Elliott energy right now; oversized sweatshirts, quality denim, relaxed tailoring. Sizing can vary by style so check product notes.
All Saints — for that slightly edgier, urban take on quality basics; great leather and outerwear in particular. Tends to run true to size but with a fitted, structured cut.
Massimo Dutti — understated, quality basics with a European polish. The denim and casual trousers in particular are excellent. Sizing is true to size throughout.
Abercrombie & Fitch — they've had a genuine glow-up in recent years and their premium denim and sweatshirts are legitimately good. True to size and great quality for the price point.
Reiss — sits at the premium high street end and does clean, polished basics brilliantly. Good for outerwear and tailored casuals. True to size with a tailored lean.
Urban Outfitters — for the more relaxed, oversized streetwear pieces; their own-label basics can be surprisingly strong. Sizing is generally true to size but check individual items.

Premium alternatives:

Citizens of Humanity — excellent premium denim with a similar West Coast heritage to John Elliott. Their Jolene and Annina cuts are brilliant. True to size in the waist.
Paige — one of the best premium denim brands for women, particularly if you want great fit through the hip and thigh. True to size; their Hoxton skinny is a perennial favourite.

Luxury/designer alternatives:

Calvin Klein — the original American minimalism. Their jeans and basics have a very similar DNA to John Elliott's cleaner pieces; understated, well-made, true to size.

Two Independent Brands Worth Knowing

And because I always want to flag something a little more left-field that you might not have come across:

Entireworld — a New York-based brand making beautifully sustainable basics in the same spirit as John Elliott; oversized sweatshirts, relaxed tees, excellent denim. Sizing runs true to size and the quality is genuinely brilliant. Not widely known in the UK yet, which makes it all the more appealing.
Sunflower — a Copenhagen menswear label with a small but covetable women's offering; clean, minimal, slightly sportswear-influenced. The aesthetic is remarkably similar to John Elliott but with a more European sensibility. Sizes run true to size and the fabrics are exceptional.

My Final Sizing Verdict on John Elliott

Overall, John Elliott is a reliable brand to size in — more so than many luxury labels. Stick to your normal size for tops, sweatshirts and outerwear. Go true to size in the waist for denim, but consider sizing up if you're fuller through the thigh or buying the slimmer Cast 2 cuts. Don't size down on oversized styles — they're designed to be roomy and that's the whole point. And if you're petite, be aware that the brand cuts long throughout.

It's one of those brands where, once you've found your size, every piece you own becomes a long-term wardrobe staple. The quality absolutely justifies the price — and the aesthetic is genuinely one of a kind.

Stop Guessing Your Size — Use Tellar

Even true-to-size brands like John Elliott have their quirks by category, cut and style. Tellar.co.uk is the UK's leading free sizing tool — matching your exact measurements to 1,500+ brands instantly, so you always order the right size first time.

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