What is Sizing Like at Madewell?

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

Madewell sizes in US sizing and generally runs true to size, but because it's an American brand, UK shoppers need to subtract four from their UK size to find their Madewell equivalent — so a UK 10 is a US 6, a UK 12 is a US 8, and so on. Get that conversion right and you're most of the way there. Get it wrong and you'll end up with jeans that don't budge past your knees, which has absolutely happened to someone I know (fine, it was me, circa 2019).

Madewell is one of those brands I genuinely love recommending to clients who want quality without the designer price tag. It started as a work-wear brand in the 1950s, was revived by J.Crew in 2006, and has since become one of the most respected denim labels in the world — and the denim really is as good as everyone says. But sizing across their full range does need a little navigation, especially from the UK. So let me walk you through it properly.

The US-to-UK Conversion You Need to Know

This is the most important thing to get your head around before you order anything. Madewell uses US sizing throughout — no EU equivalent is listed on their site — so here's the full conversion breakdown:

Madewell USUK SizeEU SizeBust (inches)Waist (inches)Hips (inches)XXS (0)43230–3122.5–23.532.5–33.5XS (2)63431.5–32.524–2534–35S (4)83633–3425.5–26.535.5–36.5S (6)103835–3627.5–28.537.5–38.5M (8)124037–3829.5–30.539.5–40.5L (10)144239–4031.5–32.541.5–42.5XL (12)164441–4233.5–34.543.5–44.5XXL (14)184643–4435.5–36.545.5–46.5

Quick tip: Madewell also offers Plus sizing (16W–24W) and Tall & Petite options on selected styles — particularly for denim. If you're under 5’3” or over 5’9”, always check whether a length variant is available before ordering the standard cut.

Madewell Denim Sizing — The Detail That Actually Matters

Denim is where Madewell has built its entire reputation, and it's also where the sizing gets slightly more involved. Their jeans are sized by waist measurement in inches (running from 23 to 38), rather than just XS/S/M/L, which is actually far more precise once you get used to it.

As a general rule, Madewell denim runs true to size, but there are a few things worth knowing:

The Perfect Vintage Jean — their bestseller — has a mid-rise, relaxed-through-the-thigh fit. It runs true to waist size with a comfortable amount of ease. If you're between sizes, size up; the denim softens with wear and doesn't stretch dramatically.
The Stovepipe Jean is a straighter, slightly more structured cut. I'd say it runs slightly more snugly through the hip than the measurement suggests — worth going up a size if you're fuller through the seat.
The Low-Rise Baggy Jean (a huge seller right now) runs generously — you can comfortably size down one if you want a less oversized look, or stay true to size for the full slouchy effect.
The Kick Out Jean — a flared style — runs true, and it's one of the most flattering options they do for balancing hips. I've put several clients in this and the reaction is always the same: immediate conversion.

For inseam length: Petite = 27”, Regular = 30”, Tall = 34”. If you're 5’5” and under, petite is often the better call even if you don't think of yourself as petite — you avoid the bunching at the ankle that ruins the whole line of a straight-leg jean.

How the Rest of the Range Fits

Beyond denim, Madewell has built out a solid range of tops, knitwear, dresses and outerwear that follows a different logic to the jeans:

Tops & T-shirts — These run true to US size and tend to have a relaxed, slightly boxy silhouette. If you prefer something more fitted, size down. The fabric quality is genuinely excellent — their cotton tees hold their shape wash after wash in a way most high street basics simply don't.
Knitwear — Also true to size, with a relaxed American fit. The pieces are substantial — not flimsy — and the sizing is consistent. If you run larger through the shoulders, size up; the shoulder seam placement matters a lot in Madewell knitwear.
Dresses & skirts — True to US size. Their midi skirts in particular have a lovely drape and the waistbands are elasticated on many styles, giving a bit more flexibility. I'd follow the waist measurement more than the overall size number here.
Outerwear — Runs slightly more generously to allow for layering underneath. Size as normal and you'll have room for a chunky knit beneath without looking swamped.

My Practical Tips for UK Shoppers Ordering Madewell

Always start with your measurements, not your UK label size — especially for denim. Measure your natural waist and order by the inch, not the letter.
If ordering tops, remember that US sizing gives slightly more room through the body than UK equivalents — factor this in before going up unnecessarily.
Check the returns policy before ordering. Madewell ships internationally but returns from the UK involve more faff than a domestic order — ordering two sizes and returning one is a solid strategy for jeans.
Read the fabric content: non-stretch denim styles require more precision than their stretch equivalents. When in doubt on fit, the stretch versions are much more forgiving.
Their Petite and Tall ranges for denim are genuinely well thought through — not just cropped or lengthened versions of the standard. Use them if they apply to you.

Brands Similar to Madewell — Where to Shop in the UK

Madewell isn't always the easiest to shop if you're in the UK — international shipping, returns, and currency conversion all add friction. Here's where I'd send my clients instead, depending on budget:

HIGH STREET

The Gap — The closest aesthetic match you'll find on the high street. Relaxed Americana basics, great denim, and consistent sizing. Their straight-leg and '90s loose jeans are a brilliant Madewell dupe at a lower price point.
Levi's — If it's the denim you're really after, Levi's is the UK answer. The 501, 502, and Ribcage styles cover much of the same silhouette territory as Madewell, and they're stocked everywhere. Sizing is by waist inch, just like Madewell.
Abercrombie & Fitch — Has had a brilliant brand revival and now does genuinely excellent casualwear and denim. Their Curve Love denim range is particularly good for accommodating a more generous hip-to-waist ratio.
Banana Republic — The smarter, more polished sibling of The Gap. Similar Americana DNA to Madewell but with a slightly more elevated finish. Brilliant for the knitwear and tailored casual pieces.
COS — For the clean-line basics and quality fabrics that make Madewell so appealing, COS is an excellent European equivalent. Less casual Americana, more considered minimalism — but the quality is there.
Urban Outfitters — Stocks a strong own-label range of denim and casual pieces that overlaps heavily with Madewell's aesthetic, plus they actually stock some Madewell pieces in the UK. Worth checking both simultaneously.
Whistles — For the elevated basics — the quality cotton tees, the well-cut trousers, the simple but considered pieces — Whistles is the British answer to Madewell's more polished end. Sizing is true to UK standard.

PREMIUM

Citizens of Humanity — If the Madewell denim quality has got you hooked and you're ready to invest further, Citizens of Humanity is where serious denim lovers end up. The fit and fabric quality is exceptional. Sizes by waist inch, similar to Madewell.
Paige — Another premium denim brand with a devoted following. Known for their incredibly comfortable stretch denim and flattering cuts. A brilliant step up from Madewell if you want to invest in your jeans wardrobe properly.

INDEPENDENT PICKS

Nudie Jeans — A Swedish denim brand with a serious cult following among people who care about both quality and sustainability. Their denim is made with organic cotton, is built to last years rather than seasons, and can be repaired for free at any of their repair shops. If ethical production matters to you alongside brilliant fit, Nudie is genuinely worth exploring.
Damson Madder — A small UK independent label doing exactly what Madewell does at its best: beautifully made, relaxed, wearable pieces that don't shout. Their shirting, knitwear and casual dresses are particularly lovely, and the sizing is true to UK standard. A brilliant brand to know about if you haven't already.

Shopping Madewell from the UK? Use Tellar First

International sizing conversions are exactly the kind of thing that trips people up — and it's exactly what Tellar.co.uk is built to solve. It matches your measurements to 1,500+ brands instantly, so you know your size before you order. No guesswork, no wasted returns.

Measure once — bust, waist, hip, or an existing brand size you trust.
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size across Madewell, Citizens of Humanity, Levi's, COS, Whistles — any brand, instantly.
Always free — no downloads, no sign-up faff, works straight in your browser.

And while you're there, explore the Tellar Fashion Hub — a library of free, unsponsored posts from our stylists covering every sizing question, brand comparison, and style dilemma going. Honest. Independent. Always free.

Find Your Size at Tellar →