What Is Sizing Like at Lacoste?

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

Lacoste runs small—particularly on the polo shirts and fitted sportswear the brand is famous for—and if you order your usual size without checking, there's a very good chance you'll be sending it back. As a general rule: size up one on polo shirts and close-fitting jersey pieces, and stick to your standard size on dresses, skirts, and more relaxed styles. The brand uses French sizing, which adds another layer of confusion if you're not used to it. Let me break it all down properly.

The French Sizing Problem (And How to Solve It)

Lacoste is a French brand and uses French numeric sizing across much of its clothing. French sizing runs roughly two numbers higher than UK sizing—so a French 38 equates to a UK 10, a French 40 to a UK 12, and so on. Simple enough in theory, but the complication with Lacoste is that the actual garments then tend to cut slim within that sizing. So you've got two things working against you at once: a French size that already sounds larger than your UK equivalent, and a cut that's trimmer than you'd expect.

Many Lacoste pieces now also use XS/S/M/L/XL labelling, which helps—but the slim cut remains. My honest advice is to always size up on anything with the iconic croc logo on it. It's a sportswear heritage brand; those polo shirts were designed for the tennis court, and the fit reflects that.

Lacoste Size Conversion Table

Lacoste FR SizeUK SizeEU SizeUS SizeLacoste Label346342XS368364S3810386M4012408L42144210XL44164412XXL

Note: For polo shirts and fitted jersey tops specifically, I'd recommend ordering one size up from what this table suggests. If you're a UK 10 (FR 38/M), try a UK 12 (FR 40/L) in polos and slim-fit sweatshirts.

Fit Breakdown by Garment Category

Not everything at Lacoste is created equal when it comes to sizing. Here's what to expect from each category:

Polo shirts: The iconic piece, and the trickiest to size. They're cut slim through the chest and shoulders. Size up one. If you're between sizes, go bigger—you can always style an oversized polo, but a tight one across the shoulders is unwearable.
Sweatshirts and hoodies: Generally more forgiving, but still on the slimmer side. If you prefer an oversized look (very much on-trend right now), size up. If you like a fitted sweatshirt, your usual size should work fine.
Dresses: More consistent with standard UK sizing. Lacoste's shirt dresses and tennis-inspired styles tend to come up fairly true. Check the waist measurement if you're between sizes.
Skirts: True to size across most styles. The pleated and wrap styles have enough give that sizing is less critical here.
Trousers and shorts: Slim through the hip and thigh—particularly the tailored styles. If you carry any volume there, size up. The tracksuit-style joggers are more relaxed.
Trainers and footwear: Lacoste trainers run true to size. No need to adjust here.
Knitwear: Can run quite snug. Size up if you plan to layer, or if you prefer a more relaxed knit.

A Lacoste Sizing Story I Tell Clients Regularly

A client came to me a couple of years ago genuinely baffled. She'd ordered a Lacoste polo in what she knew to be her size—she'd measured, she'd checked the chart—and it arrived looking almost unwearable across the chest. She thought she'd done something wrong. She hadn't. This is just Lacoste polo shirt reality, and it catches people out constantly.

We ordered the size up, it arrived, and it looked brilliant—tucked into wide-leg trousers with loafers, very that French-sport-luxe moment. The polo has since become one of her most-worn pieces. The lesson: Lacoste sizing isn't broken, it's just very particular. Once you know the rules, you're fine.

Styling Lacoste in 2026: How to Wear It Now

The Lacoste aesthetic has had a serious revival over the last couple of years, and it's genuinely one of the most wearable trends going—that preppy-sport-chic thing that feels effortless when done right. Here's how I'd approach it:

The polo shirt moment: Tuck a Lacoste polo into a midi satin skirt for an elevated sport-luxe look. Add kitten heels. It sounds mad, it works brilliantly.
Tennis-core dressing: Pleated mini skirt, white polo, white trainers. It's a full look and it's everywhere right now for good reason.
Colour-blocking: Lacoste's seasonal palette is always strong. Don't be afraid to wear a bold-coloured polo with tailored trousers in a contrasting tone—that's very much in the brand's DNA.
Smart-casual transition: A Lacoste zip-up sweatshirt over a shirt-dress with ankle boots is one of those off-duty combinations that looks like you tried without actually trying. Always a win.

High Street Brands That Get the Lacoste Look Right

Whether you're building a full outfit around one Lacoste piece, or looking for alternatives at a lower price point, these are the brands I'd point you towards for that same intelligent, sporty-smart aesthetic:

Gant — Probably the closest in spirit to Lacoste on the high street. Swedish preppy heritage, excellent polo shirts, reliable sizing that runs true. If you love Lacoste but want more choice, Gant is your answer.
Tommy Hilfiger — The American cousin to Lacoste's French chic. Similar sporty-preppy energy, strong polo game, and a great range of casual separates. Sizing runs slightly more generously than Lacoste.
Calvin Klein — For the cleaner, more minimal interpretation of the sport-casual look. Brilliant basics, excellent jersey, and a very wearable size range.
Barbour — Shares Lacoste's love of a heritage logo and a smart-outdoor sensibility. Brilliant for layering pieces—the quilted gilets and casual shirts work perfectly alongside Lacoste staples.
Abercrombie & Fitch — A genuinely impressive glow-up in recent years. Their polo shirts and knitwear are excellent quality for the price, and the brand now sits comfortably alongside Lacoste in terms of aesthetic.
Banana Republic — Intelligent, polished casual dressing with a similar appreciation for classic sportswear codes. Their shirt dresses and tailored casuals work particularly well.
Hugo Boss — Sits at the premium end of this comparison, but the sporty-smart Boss pieces are exceptional. Their polo shirts are notably well-made and size more consistently than Lacoste's.
Hollister — A more casual, younger interpretation of the sport-prep look. Good for basics and casual layers if you're building around a hero Lacoste piece on a budget.

Two Independent Brands Worth Adding to Your Radar

I always like to flag a couple of brands that aren't getting the mainstream spotlight they deserve. For the Lacoste woman who wants something a little less obvious:

Sunspel — A quietly legendary British brand that's been making beautifully constructed polo shirts and jersey pieces since 1860. Their polos are genuinely exceptional—finer fabric, more considered cut, and a very grown-up alternative to the logo-driven Lacoste look. Sizing is true to UK throughout. Worth every penny.
Percival — An independent London brand that does sport-heritage dressing with real intelligence. Their polo shirts and sweatshirts have a very similar energy to Lacoste but with a distinctly British edge and interesting colourways you won't find on the high street. A brilliant discovery if you haven't found them yet.

Stop Guessing Your Lacoste Size — Let Tellar Do It For You

Lacoste's slim cut and French sizing make it one of those brands where getting it wrong is genuinely easy. The good news? Tellar.co.uk takes the guesswork out entirely. It's the UK's leading free sizing tool—just enter your measurements or an existing brand size, and it matches you instantly to the right size across 1,500+ brands, including Lacoste.

✓ Works across 1,500+ brands—from Lacoste to high street to luxury designer
✓ Use your bust, waist, hip, or an existing brand size to get started
✓ Completely free—no sign-up, no downloads, works in your browser
✓ Honest, unsponsored advice across the full Tellar Fashion Hub

Visit Tellar.co.ukTry the Store Size Lookup Tool

More from the Tellar Fashion Hub — always honest, always free: