What Is Sizing Like at North Sails?

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

North Sails runs true to size with a relaxed, performance-led fit — and if you've ever stood in a harbourside boutique wondering whether to size up or down in that beautifully cut waterproof jacket, the answer is almost always: stick to your usual size. Born from the world of competitive sailing and now firmly established as a premium coastal lifestyle brand, North Sails is one of those labels where the sizing is actually the least of your worries — the main challenge is stopping yourself buying everything in the collection.

I came to North Sails through a client who sails competitively out of Cowes and needed a wardrobe that could transition from the water to a harbourside restaurant without a full outfit change. What struck me immediately was how well the brand bridges technical performance and genuine wearability — and how consistent the sizing is once you understand the cut philosophy. These are clothes designed to move with you, so the fits are considered and proportional rather than vanity-sized or wildly inconsistent.

North Sails Size Conversion Table

North Sails uses standard Italian/European sizing across most of its womenswear — which means it tends to align well with UK sizing once you know the conversion. The brand also uses XS–XXL across some categories, particularly knitwear and outerwear.

North Sails IT/EUUK SizeUS SizeBust (in)Waist (in)Hips (in)IT 36 / XSUK 8US 433"25.5"35.5"IT 38 / SUK 10US 634.5"27"37"IT 40 / S–MUK 12US 836"28.5"38.5"IT 42 / MUK 14US 1037.5"30"40"IT 44 / LUK 16US 1239.5"32"42"IT 46 / XLUK 18US 1441.5"34"44"IT 48 / XXLUK 20US 1643.5"36"46"

💡 Ella's tip: If you're between sizes in outerwear or technical jackets, go up — you'll want the room for layering underneath on the water, or simply for that relaxed coastal look on land. In fitted knitwear and jersey pieces, your usual size will do the job perfectly.

Sizing by Category — The Honest Breakdown

North Sails' range spans technical sailing gear, premium outerwear, knitwear, denim, and casual jersey — and the sizing logic does shift slightly across categories. Here's what I've found:

Outerwear & Technical Jackets: True to size with a deliberately relaxed cut that allows for layering. If you're buying purely for fashion and want a slimmer silhouette, go down one. If you'll actually be wearing it on the water or over a chunky knit, your usual size is right.
Knitwear: North Sails' knitwear is a genuine highlight — beautifully constructed and sized generously. Fitted styles are true to size; chunkier, oversized styles can come up large. I'd check the measurements on each piece rather than relying on the label alone.
Denim: True to size in the waist, with a slightly longer leg than some European brands — excellent news if you're tall. The denim cuts lean towards a relaxed, casual fit rather than a skin-tight finish, which is very much by design.
T-shirts & Jersey Tops: True to size, with a slightly longer body length than high-street basics — which I actually think is a good thing. Nothing worse than a T-shirt that rides up the moment you move.
Trousers & Chinos: These sit at true to size with a mid-rise that works for most body shapes. The leg is cut for comfort rather than being narrow, so if you prefer a tailored silhouette, bear that in mind.
Swimwear: True to size, with performance-oriented cuts that stay put. No need to size up here — the fabrics hold their shape well and don't loosen with wear.

My Stylist Take — Who Is North Sails Actually For?

Honestly, North Sails occupies a really satisfying space that not many brands manage: it's technical enough to actually perform on a boat, but refined enough that you'd wear it to lunch without a second thought. Think less "dressed up nautical costume" and more "this is just how people who spend time near the sea actually dress."

The colour palette tends towards navy, cream, slate grey, faded red and olive — all of which play beautifully together and travel brilliantly. I built an entire late-summer capsule for one client around a North Sails quilted gilet, their straight-leg denim, and a few of their finer-gauge knits — and she wore virtually nothing else for two weeks in the Solent.

Where it's less strong: the size range caps out at an IT 48 (UK 20) in most styles, which is limiting. And it's unashamedly premium-priced — this isn't a brand you browse for a quick top-up purchase. When you're buying North Sails, you're investing in pieces that are engineered to last, and the price reflects that.

🌊 Styling note: North Sails pieces work hardest when you keep the rest of the outfit relaxed and unfussy. Resist the urge to over-accessorise — a clean white trainer, a quality leather belt, and a simple watch are all you need. The clothes do the talking.

The Best Alternatives to North Sails

Whether the price point is out of reach right now, the size range doesn't work for you, or you simply want to explore similar coastal and nautical styles, here are my picks across all budgets:

High Street Picks

Seasalt Cornwall — The obvious spiritual sibling to North Sails at a fraction of the price. Genuinely excellent coastal knitwear, relaxed trousers and outerwear, and they size thoughtfully with a real focus on fit across body shapes.
Fat Face — A reliable British coastal lifestyle staple. Their outerwear and knitwear in particular are well-reviewed for quality at the price point, and the sizing is consistent and true to label.
White Stuff — Brilliant for the casual, unhurried coastal aesthetic. Their jersey and knitwear ranges are a particular highlight — relaxed cuts, quality fabrics, and true to size throughout.
Joules — Strong on technically capable outerwear and those classic coastal prints. Their waterproof jackets regularly appear in best-buy roundups in Country Living and similar titles.
Boden — For the smarter end of the coastal casual look. Boden's quality control is genuinely impressive for a mid-market brand, and their knitwear and jersey pieces are some of the best at this price.
Barbour — The quintessential British heritage-meets-coastal brand. The wax jacket may be the headline act, but their quilted gilets and lightweight outerwear are hard to beat for relaxed seaside dressing.
Gant — The closest in aesthetic DNA to North Sails on the high street. Nautical-inspired, preppy, and well-constructed — their poplin shirts and Breton-stripe knitwear are particularly strong.

Premium Alternatives

Me&Em — A brilliant British brand for elevated coastal dressing. The quality of their jersey and knitwear rivals brands twice the price, and their sizing is notably consistent and honest.
Massimo Dutti — For a more continental take on the coastal wardrobe. Beautifully cut trousers, relaxed knitwear and outerwear with a quiet sophistication that pairs brilliantly with North Sails' aesthetic.
Jigsaw — Understated, quality-led and perennially relevant. Jigsaw's outerwear and knitwear have a similar considered-but-unfussy quality to North Sails, and they size true with good size range coverage.

Independent & Left-Field Picks

Finisterre — A Cornish brand born out of a love of cold-water surfing, Finisterre makes some of the most genuinely functional and beautifully designed coastal clothing available in the UK. Sustainably made, B-Corp certified, and sizing runs true to size in an XS–XL range. A brilliant find if you haven't come across them.
Lighthouse Clothing — A small, independently-run British brand that's been quietly making excellent coastal outerwear and knitwear since 1999. You won't find them in the big department stores, but their waterproof jackets and fleece-lined tops are consistently rated by real sailors and walkers alike. Proper, honest kit.

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