What Is Sizing Like at John Richmond?

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

John Richmond generally runs true to size on its mainline collection — but with one critical caveat: the tailored and leather pieces cut slim, and the diffusion line Richmond X runs noticeably roomy. If you don't know which line you're shopping, you can easily end up with completely the wrong fit, and at these price points, that's an expensive mistake. I've seen it happen more times than I can count, including to myself.

John Richmond is one of those brands that genuinely earns its cool credentials. Born in Manchester, trained at Kingston University, and then straight into working with Emporio Armani and Fiorucci before launching his own label in 1987 — Richmond's design DNA is pure rock 'n' roll luxury. David Bowie wore it. Lady Gaga wore it. Michael Jackson wore it. The brand's signature is that collision of British punk rebellion and Italian precision tailoring, and right now, with the FW26 collection shown at St Martin-in-the-Fields (yes, in the actual crypt — very on brand), it feels more relevant than ever. But none of that helps you if your leather jacket arrives and you can't get your arms through it.

The Two Lines — and Why It Matters for Sizing

The first thing to understand about John Richmond sizing is that you're essentially dealing with two different brands in one. There's the mainline collection — the proper luxury pieces, the leather jackets, the tailored blazers, the occasion dresses — and then there's Richmond X (formerly JR by John Richmond), the streetwear-leaning diffusion line aimed at a younger, more casual customer.

Mainline collection: True to size or running slightly slim, particularly in structured pieces. The tailoring is cut to a precise, fitted silhouette, and the leather outerwear especially can feel snug across the shoulders and upper arms. If you're in between sizes, go up.
Richmond X diffusion line: Runs generously — often quite roomy. Graphic tees, hoodies, and sweatshirts in this range are intentionally oversized. If you want a fitted look, size down. If you want the full streetwear drop-shoulder effect, stay true to size.

Not checking which line you're buying from is the single most common John Richmond sizing mistake I see. The logos can look similar at a glance, especially across stockists like Flannels and Farfetch, so always double-check the label before ordering.

Sizing by Category

Even within the mainline, different garment types behave differently. Here's how I'd break it down:

Leather jackets & structured outerwear: The brand's most iconic pieces, and the ones most likely to catch you out. The shoulders are cut narrow and the arm openings are slim — very much shaped to the body. I'd always recommend going up one size here, especially if you have broader shoulders or plan to layer underneath.
Tailored blazers & suits: True to size but fitted. These are precision pieces, not relaxed shapes, so buy them to fit your actual measurements rather than your aspirational size. They look incredible when they fit properly; less so when they don't.
Dresses: Varies wildly by style. Body-conscious minidresses and cut-out styles run true to size but are unforgiving — there's no ease built in. Longer, more draped styles can be more generous. Read the product description carefully and, when in doubt, use Tellar to check your exact size match (more on that shortly).
Jeans & trousers: Generally true to size in the waist but cut slim through the leg. If you prefer a relaxed fit or are fuller in the thigh, size up. The low-rise styles the brand is famous for are cut very close to the body — that's rather the point.
Graphic tees, sweatshirts & knitwear (mainline): True to size or slightly generous. These are the most forgiving pieces in the range and a great entry point if you're new to the brand.

The EU Sizing Situation

Like most Italian-manufactured designer labels, John Richmond uses EU sizing — so you'll see sizes expressed as 38, 40, 42, 44 rather than UK 10, 12, 14, 16. The standard conversion is EU size minus 4 for your approximate UK size, so a 40 is roughly a UK 12. But as I've said above, "approximately" is doing a lot of heavy lifting in that sentence when it comes to fitted mainline pieces. Always treat EU sizing as a starting point, not a guarantee.

What's Worth Buying — A Stylist's View

If you've never shopped John Richmond before, I'd start with the graphic tees or a relaxed shirt from the mainline — great quality, easy sizing, and they give you a real feel for the brand's aesthetic without a significant outlay. Once you know how the sizing works for your particular shape, the leather jackets are genuinely investment pieces. The construction is exceptional, and a well-fitting John Richmond biker jacket is one of those things you'll own for decades.

The dresses are show-stopping for events — think dark florals, metallic accents, dramatic cutouts — but do your sizing homework first. And the jeans have a cult following for good reason: that low-rise, slim-leg silhouette is back in a very big way right now, and John Richmond was doing it before most brands had caught on.

High Street & Premium Alternatives Worth Knowing

Love the John Richmond aesthetic but want something with a less complex sizing journey — or simply a lower price point? These are my picks, chosen specifically for their rock-influenced, edgy, or premium tailoring credentials:

All Saints – the British high street brand that comes closest to John Richmond's leather-and-edge DNA. Reliable UK sizing, excellent leather jackets at a fraction of the price, and a consistently grown-up rock aesthetic.
Zara – for nailing the current trend for low-rise denim and body-conscious occasionwear at speed. Far more accessible sizing (runs true to size in most categories), and strong on the kind of bold silhouettes Richmond does at designer level.
Topshop – still going strong online via ASOS. Historically brilliant for slim-cut jeans, mini dresses and party pieces with an edge. UK sizing and widely understood by British shoppers.
Hugo Boss – for the tailoring end of the John Richmond spectrum. Exceptional blazers and suits with that same precision-cut feel, in consistent, well-documented sizing.
Urban Outfitters – strong on the streetwear-leaning, graphic-heavy pieces that the Richmond X line does at designer prices. Great for building the aesthetic on a budget.
French Connection – underrated for sleek occasionwear with a slight edge. Good quality, true-to-size UK sizing, and a consistent fit across categories.
Claudie Pierlot – Parisian label with a premium feel and precise tailoring. A brilliant alternative for the John Richmond customer who wants European elegance with less of the rock theatre.
ASOS – for replicating the bolder, more maximalist Richmond X pieces. The own-brand range and edit of similar labels means you can put together a strong look at accessible prices, with the added benefit of easy returns if sizing is off.

Two Independent Labels Worth Discovering

And because the best style finds are never just the obvious ones, here are two independent brands I'd steer any John Richmond fan towards:

Dilara Findikoglu – a London-based Turkish-British designer with genuine punk and gothic credentials. Her pieces have that same dark drama and subversive energy as John Richmond's best work, but with a distinctly independent, handcrafted quality. Stocked on SSENSE and Net-a-Porter. One to watch — and to wear.
Poster Girl – a London label beloved by Dua Lipa, Lizzo, and every stylist worth their salt for bold-cut eveningwear with real personality. Where John Richmond leans into rock, Poster Girl leans into maximalist party — but the fearless approach to dressing is exactly the same energy.

Stop Guessing Your Size in John Richmond

Between the mainline and Richmond X, between Italian EU sizing and slim-cut tailoring, John Richmond is genuinely one of the trickier brands to size in correctly without help. This is exactly what Tellar.co.uk was built for. One set-up, your exact body measurements matched to your precise size across 1,500+ brands, instantly. Free, always.

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