What Is Sizing Like at McQueen Menswear?

Alexander McQueen menswear runs slim and sharp through the body, with British-cut tailoring that sits close to the frame — so if you're caught between sizes on a jacket, shirt or knit, go up rather than down. The one exception, and it's a big one, is the footwear: those oversized-sole trainers run large, and most men need to drop half a size.

The tailoring: slim, structured and cut for a clean line

McQueen's suiting and blazers use Italian sizing (IT 44 through to the mid-50s) and are cut for a lean, elongated silhouette. The shoulder is structured, the armhole sits high, and the waist is suppressed — this is a jacket designed to give you a line, not to hide behind.

Between sizes? Size up. The close chest and high armhole mean the smaller size will feel restrictive the moment you reach forward or button up.
Broader chaps, take note. If you carry weight across the back and shoulders, try the jacket one size above your usual and have the waist taken in by a tailor — far easier than fighting a tight armhole.
Trousers run slim and long. Expect a tapered leg and a generous inseam; most men need a hem.

I once talked a groom out of his "true size" McQueen dinner jacket the week before his wedding — he could do the button up, but he couldn't lift a champagne glass without the lapels gaping. One size up and a nipped waist, and he looked like he'd been poured into it.

Shirts, knitwear and T-shirts

The soft pieces are cut leaner than the high street trains you to expect. Nothing extreme, but don't assume your usual medium will drape the same way.

Shirts are slim through the body and chest — fine if you're lean, size up if you're muscular or want a relaxed collar.
Knitwear is true-to-slim; the finer gauges cling, so a base layer shows.
T-shirts and sweats run true but short-ish in the body if you're tall — worth checking before you tuck.

The trainers — the question I get asked most

Here's the one everyone actually searches for. The famous oversized-sole trainers (and their leather low-tops) run large. It's not subtle.

Go down half a size from your usual EU trainer size as a rule of thumb.
Narrow feet, drop a full size. The toe box is roomy and the chunky sole exaggerates any excess length.
Try them late in the day if you can — feet swell, and you want the snug-not-crushing end of the fit.

My own first pair? I bought my "normal" size online, and they flapped like clown shoes for about a week before I admitted defeat and exchanged them. Learn from my wallet: size down.

Outerwear

Coats and biker jackets are structured and cut close to layer over a shirt or fine knit — not a chunky jumper. If you live in your heavy roll-necks all winter, size up so you're not straining the zip.

If the McQueen price tag makes your eyes water — where else to look

Not everyone wants to spend four figures on a blazer, and you don't have to in order to get that sharp, slightly-dangerous British line. Here's where I send clients across three price tiers.

High street

Reiss — the closest thing on the high street to McQueen's clean, tailored silhouette. Their suiting has a genuine slim-but-wearable cut and holds a line beautifully for the money.
AllSaints — for the darker, biker-influenced side of the McQueen wardrobe. Leathers, textured knits and that rock'n'roll edge, at a fraction of the price.

Independent & boutique

Oliver Spencer — British tailoring with a considered, slightly relaxed hand. Brilliant if you love the craftsmanship but want a softer, less severe shoulder.
Universal Works — Nottingham-based, where workwear meets tailoring. Real character and honest construction for men who want something with a story rather than a logo.

Designer & luxury

Neil Barrett — sharp, minimalist and British to the core. If it's McQueen's precision you're after without the theatrics, this is your man.
Rick Owens — for the drama. Dark, sculptural and architectural in a way McQueen devotees instinctively get; expect a longer, leaner silhouette.
Saint Laurent — slim, rock-influenced tailoring cut even leaner than McQueen. Size up here too, and you'll get that same poured-in razor-sharp line.

Stop guessing your McQueen size — let Tellar do the maths

McQueen's slim tailoring and oversized trainers are exactly the kind of fit that catches people out. Instead of squinting at a size guide, use Tellar's free Store Size Lookup — the UK's leading sizing tool, matching your body to 1,500+ brands instantly.

Here's how it works:

1. Measure once using your chest, waist and hip — or just your size in a brand you already own. Here's how to measure properly.2. Use the Store Size Lookup to get your precise size in any brand — COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket and more.3. Shop with confidence — no guesswork, fewer returns, better-fitting buys.4. Always free, no downloads, works straight in your browser.

Find my size free →

And once you've got the fit sorted, dig into the Tellar Fashion Hub — a library of free, honest, unbiased posts from our top stylists. Style advice, top picks and the best brands, with nothing sold to you. A few to start with: