What Is Sizing Like at KAVU? Your Complete Guide to Getting the Right Fit

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

KAVU runs in US sizing, which sits roughly one to two sizes up from UK sizing — so if you're a UK 12, you'll most likely be shopping a Medium at KAVU, not the Large you might instinctively reach for. It's one of those brands where you genuinely need to know the conversion before you buy, or you'll end up in something either boxy or uncomfortably snug.

I came across KAVU a few years back when I was hunting for something with a bit more personality than the usual outdoor kit. Their prints are genuinely brilliant — bold, colourful, a little bit retro — and the quality, especially on their fleeces and rope bags, is seriously good. But I'll be honest: the first thing I ordered, a fleece pullover, came up tighter than I expected across the shoulders. A quick look at their chart and I realised I'd grabbed my usual size without converting. Lesson learned. Since then I've got their sizing down to a fine art, and I want to save you the same confusion.

How KAVU Sizing Works for UK Women

KAVU is a Seattle-based brand, so their sizing is entirely US-based, using their own numeric scale (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14) alongside the standard XS–XXL labels. The key thing to know is that their numeric size is the US size, not the UK size. So a KAVU size 8 is not a UK 8 — it's roughly a UK 10–12.

As a rough rule of thumb for UK shoppers:

UK 8 → KAVU XS (US 4)
UK 10 → KAVU S (US 6)
UK 12 → KAVU M (US 8)
UK 14 → KAVU L (US 10)
UK 16 → KAVU XL (US 12)
UK 18 → KAVU XXL (US 14)

That said, I always recommend going by body measurements rather than just trusting a letter size, particularly with KAVU. Their measurements refer to actual body dimensions rather than garment dimensions, which is worth keeping in mind — the garment itself will have ease built in on top.

Do KAVU Clothes Run Small, Large or True to Size?

This varies depending on the garment, which I know is annoying to hear, but it genuinely matters here.

Fleeces and knitwear: These tend to come up slightly small, particularly across the shoulders and chest. I'd go up a size if you like any room at all, or if you plan to layer underneath. Customer reviews consistently back this up — many people report sizing up on the Cavanaugh fleece specifically.
Dresses and skirts: Generally pretty true to size. The cuts are relaxed and bohemian in spirit, with plenty of ease built in. If you're between sizes, you can usually stay on your standard UK-equivalent size.
Shorts and trousers: KAVU's bottoms tend to run a little longer in the leg than some UK shoppers might expect. The waist and hip measurements are fairly true to size, but if you're petite, it's worth checking the inseam before you commit.
Shirts and tops: Fairly consistent. The relaxed, casual cut of most KAVU tops means there's usually good breathing room, though again — if you're fuller across the bust, size up rather than squeezing into your standard equivalent.

Tips for Shopping KAVU From the UK

Shopping an American brand from the UK means you're almost always ordering online, so getting your measurements right before you browse is non-negotiable. Here's how I approach it:

Measure your bust, waist and hips in inches (or cm and convert), then cross-reference with KAVU's own size chart on their website.
Pay particular attention to the bust measurement for tops, and the waist measurement for bottoms — these are the most critical for KAVU's fit.
If your measurements sit right on the boundary between two sizes, go up — KAVU's cuts are designed to be casual and relaxed, and the larger size will almost always look more intentional.
The range runs from XXS to XXL (UK 6 to UK 18 equivalent), so there's a good spread of sizes to work with.
Check which retailer you're ordering from — KAVU is available in the UK through Outsiders Store and some outdoor stockists, so you don't always have to deal with international shipping.

The KAVU Aesthetic — Is It Worth It?

Absolutely, but it's a specific kind of wardrobe addition. This isn't a brand for minimalists. KAVU is loud, joyful, and unashamedly fun — think bold geometric prints, earthy tones mixed with punchy pops of colour, and silhouettes that nod to the Pacific Northwest outdoor scene without being solely technical kit. The San Blas overall, the Chilli Chic shorts, the rope bag (an icon, frankly) — these are pieces that have real personality.

I'd describe the brand as sitting at the intersection of outdoor adventure and festival casual. It's brilliant for hiking, camping weekends, coastal days, or just being the most interesting-looking person in the coffee shop. But if you're hoping for sharp tailoring or structured shapes, look elsewhere.

High Street Alternatives to KAVU

If you love the KAVU vibe but want something easier to size in the UK — or want to build out the look with similar pieces — these brands are worth exploring:

Fat Face — A brilliant UK stalwart for exactly this kind of casual-outdoor style. Relaxed fits, great prints, and genuinely consistent sizing. A solid go-to if you want KAVU energy without the international shipping.
Seasalt Cornwall — Known for their vibrant prints and easy-wearing shapes, Seasalt has a very similar coastal-casual spirit to KAVU. Brilliant for dresses and tops in particular.
White Stuff — Lovely relaxed fits with a quirky, colourful edge. Their jersey dresses and casual layers have real overlap with what KAVU does well.
Boden — If you want bold prints in a more structured, UK-friendly format, Boden delivers. Excellent sizing consistency and a playful print archive that rivals KAVU's.
Joules — The original British brand for colourful outdoor-casual dressing. Great for those who love the print-forward KAVU aesthetic in a more familiar size range.
Barbour — For the more heritage-outdoor side of what KAVU does, Barbour is a brilliant premium high street pick. Their casual wax jackets and quilted layers are wardrobe staples.
Superdry — Good for the active-casual crossover, with sizing that's generally consistent and a solid selection of casual outdoor layers.

For a couple of more left-field options I genuinely love:

Finisterre — A Cornish brand built around ocean and outdoor life. Sustainably made, beautifully designed, and with a colour palette that feels genuinely considered. If you want a UK-based alternative with real outdoor credibility, this is it.
Passenger Clothing — A UK adventure brand with a strong sustainability ethos and a bold, illustrative aesthetic that's very much in the KAVU spirit. Their hoodies and casual layers are brilliant.

Premium & Luxury Alternatives

If you're looking to step up from KAVU into something with more technical pedigree or elevated design, these brands sit in the next tier:

Patagonia — The premium outdoor brand of choice for those who want genuine technical performance alongside casual style. Their sizing is US-based like KAVU but very well documented.
Fjällräven — Swedish heritage outdoor brand with a cult following for good reason. The Kånken bag and their outdoor shirts are wardrobe classics. Sizing is generally true to size for UK shoppers.
Arc'teryx — For those who want the absolute pinnacle of outdoor technical clothing, done with a sleek, design-forward aesthetic. The price point is substantial, but the quality is exceptional.

Never Guess Your Size Again — Try Tellar

Getting your size right in American brands like KAVU is genuinely tricky, and I see it trip people up all the time. That's exactly why I use Tellar.co.uk — the UK's leading sizing tool that matches your exact body measurements to over 1,500 brands instantly.

Measure once — bust, waist, hips or an existing brand size
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The Tellar Fashion Hub is also packed with free, honest, unbiased style posts from our team of stylists — covering everything from brand sizing guides to trend edits and style advice. Independent. Always free.

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