What Is Sizing Like at Obey?

BY ELLA BLAKE — FASHION STYLIST | TELLAR FASHION HUB — ALWAYS HONEST, UNBIASED, & UNSPONSORED

Obey sizing runs to US measurements and comes up slightly generous — so as a UK shopper, you can usually stick to your normal size, but be aware that the fit is designed with a relaxed, streetwear-inspired silhouette in mind rather than a tailored one. If you prefer a closer, more fitted look, sizing down is often the right move.

I'll be honest — the first time I ordered from Obey I completely misjudged the fit. I bought a graphic tee in my usual UK 10, and when it arrived it was enormous. Not in a cool, oversized way — just baggy and shapeless. I sized down to an XS on the next order and it was perfect: still relaxed, still with that authentic streetwear feel, but actually wearable rather than a tent. Lesson learned. Obey has its own sizing logic, and once you understand it, it really does deliver.

A Bit About Obey as a Brand

Obey was founded by American street artist and activist Shepard Fairey — the man behind the iconic Obama "Hope" poster. The brand started as a graphic art project and evolved into a full clothing line that's stayed true to its roots: bold graphics, political edge, and that unmistakable LA streetwear aesthetic. It's not a brand that's trying to go mainstream, and that's precisely what makes it interesting. The women's line has expanded significantly over recent years, and it's worth paying attention to.

How Does Obey Size Their Women's Clothing?

Obey uses US sizing across the board — XS through XL in most styles, with some pieces also offered in S/M/L. The key things to know:

T-shirts and hoodies — These run noticeably large. A US Small equals a UK 8–10, but the cut is boxy and relaxed, so I'd suggest sizing down if you want any shape at all.
Cropped styles — These tend to be truer to size, and actually the most flattering cuts in the women's range. Sizing is more consistent here.
Trousers and jeans — Obey's trousers run wide in the leg and relaxed through the hip. If you're between sizes, go for the smaller option.
Dresses and skirts — A smaller part of their range, but these are generally true to size with a relaxed fit.
Outerwear — Jackets and overshirts come up generous. If you're layering underneath, your usual size is fine. If you prefer a sleeker silhouette, size down.

The Fit Philosophy: Streetwear, Not Tailoring

The thing to understand about Obey is that fit is intentional. This is a brand built on skate culture and street art — the aesthetic is deliberately relaxed, oversized in places, and decidedly unbothered. If you're coming from brands like Reiss or Whistles where everything is cut close, the transition can feel jarring at first. But lean into it. The relaxed fit is the point.

The fabrics are generally good quality for the price point — the hoodies in particular are excellent, with a heavyweight cotton that washes well and holds its shape. The graphic prints are where Obey really earns its stripes; they're genuinely artistic rather than the generic graphic tee you'll find everywhere else.

Sizing Tips From My Experience

Size down in tops — almost across the board, if you want any kind of shape.
Check the specific style — cropped and fitted styles run more true to size than their classic unisex cuts.
Order two sizes if you're unsure — Obey's return policy is straightforward, and the difference between a baggy mess and a great fit can genuinely be one size.
Don't expect tailoring — if you want a structured silhouette, you'll need to style around the relaxed cut with fitted basics underneath.

Who Does Obey Sizing Work Best For?

In my experience, Obey fits best on those who are comfortable in relaxed, unstructured silhouettes — think straight up and down shapes or those who love an oversized aesthetic. If you have a curvier figure and prefer your clothes to follow your shape, the boxy cuts can feel unflattering. That said, I've seen customers with all body shapes absolutely nail the Obey look by using the oversized fit as part of the outfit — half-tucked into wide-leg jeans, belted at the waist, or knotted at the front. Style your way around the cut, and it works for everyone.

For the full guide to dressing for your body shape, Tellar has a brilliant free resource that takes the guesswork out of silhouettes.

High Street Alternatives to Obey

If you love the Obey aesthetic but want to shop closer to home, or if you want to build around a hero Obey piece with more accessible basics, here's where I'd head:

Urban Outfitters — The closest UK high street equivalent to Obey's vibe. Great for graphic tees, oversized hoodies, and the kind of relaxed denim that works with the aesthetic. Sizing is similar — relaxed and slightly large.
ASOS — Excellent for finding Obey-inspired pieces at every price point. The size range is unbeatable and the relaxed streetwear section has expanded massively. Good for layering basics if you're building around an Obey statement piece.
Topshop (now via ASOS) — Still has that directional edge that works brilliantly with streetwear. Look for their cropped tees and oversized sweatshirts.
All Saints — For when you want the edge of streetwear but with a slightly more elevated finish. Their graphic tees and relaxed outerwear are genuinely excellent, and the quality is a step up from the high street.
H&M — Ideal for building out the basics underneath an Obey graphic piece. Their oversized tees and wide-leg trousers are affordable and hold their shape surprisingly well.
Zara — A brilliant source for the tailored streetwear crossover look. If you want to dress up an Obey hoodie with something more refined, Zara's tailored trousers and structured blazers are the perfect counterbalance.
Mango — Particularly good for relaxed outerwear and wide-leg denim that pairs beautifully with Obey's graphic tops. A slightly more European aesthetic that blends well.

Premium & Independent Picks

If you want to invest a bit more, Carhartt WIP is the natural premium step-up from Obey — workwear heritage meets street aesthetic, excellent quality, and a genuinely similar relaxed fit philosophy. For luxury, A-COLD-WALL captures that graphic, conceptual energy with impeccable tailoring and construction. It's a different price bracket entirely, but if you love what Obey represents artistically, A-COLD-WALL is the logical next step.

For two brilliant independent picks: Lazy Oaf is a London-based independent brand with a similarly playful, graphic-led aesthetic — genuinely original prints and a fun irreverence that Obey fans tend to love. And Passenger Clothing is a brilliant UK sustainable brand with a relaxed, outdoorsy fit philosophy — not streetwear exactly, but the same comfortable, unhurried approach to sizing.

If you're looking for more outfit inspiration, our ultimate guide to jackets and outerwear is worth bookmarking for styling oversized pieces.

Never Guess Your Size Again — Tellar.co.uk

Obey's sizing can be a minefield — but that's exactly what Tellar was built for. It's the UK's leading clothing sizing tool, matching your body measurements to over 1,500 brands instantly. No more ordering two sizes and returning one.

Measure once using bust, waist, hip — or just enter your existing size in a brand you know
Get your precise size across 1,500+ brands including streetwear, high street, and designer
Works in-browser, completely free, no downloads needed

Use the Store Size Lookup tool to find your exact size in any brand — from Obey to COS, Arket, Reiss and everything in between.

Plus, the Tellar Fashion Hub is a library of free posts from our stylists — honest, unbiased, and independent. Every fashion question you've ever had, answered without an agenda.

Find My Size at Tellar →

The Verdict on Obey Sizing

Obey is a fantastic brand, but you do need to go in with your eyes open about the sizing. Size down in tops, be prepared for a relaxed fit across the board, and embrace the aesthetic rather than fighting it. For a full breakdown of how to navigate sizing across brands — and to never waste money on a return again — check out Tellar's Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide.

And if you're building a wardrobe around streetwear staples and want to know exactly what jeans work with that oversized Obey hoodie, we've also got the best jeans trends for 2025 and 2026 covered.

Obey is for people who know who they are and dress accordingly. Once you crack the sizing, it's genuinely one of the most rewarding brands in the streetwear space. Just — trust me — size down.