What is Sizing Like at Parajumpers Clothing?

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

Parajumpers uses Italian/EU sizing and generally runs true to size — but because their jackets are engineered for performance layering, the fit logic is a little different to your average fashion outerwear brand, and knowing which styles to size up or down in will save you an expensive return.

The Brand in Brief — What Makes Parajumpers Different?

Founded in Italy in 2006, Parajumpers was originally inspired by the outerwear worn by US Air Force pararescue jumpers — the clue is very much in the name. The brand built its reputation on goose-down jackets that combined genuine technical performance with a clean, European aesthetic. That balance is what made it a cult favourite: it's not pretending to be fashion-forward outerwear in the way some brands do. It actually performs in the cold, and it looks brilliant while doing it.

Their signature pieces — the Gobi, the Masterpiece series, the Light Long Bear — have become genuine wardrobe investments for women who want outerwear that lasts. The quality of fill, the YKK zips, the thoughtful pocket placement — it all adds up to something that justifies the price tag if you're serious about your outerwear.

Parajumpers Size Guide: EU to UK Conversion

Parajumpers sizes using Italian/EU sizing throughout their womenswear range. The conversion to UK sizing is straightforward: subtract 4 from the EU size to get your UK equivalent. So an EU 40 is a UK 12, an EU 42 is a UK 14, and so on. Their women's range typically runs from XS (EU 36) through to XL (EU 44), though some styles extend further.

UK SizeEU / IT SizeUS SizeParajumpers LabelBust (cm)Waist (cm)8364XS82–8564–6710386S86–8968–7112408M90–9372–75144210L94–9776–79164412XL98–10280–84184614XXL103–10885–90

How Parajumpers Fits by Style — This Is the Crucial Bit

Unlike a fashion brand where sizing is fairly uniform across the range, Parajumpers sizing genuinely varies by jacket style. This is because different pieces are designed for different end uses. Here's how the key styles break down:

The Gobi (their most iconic style): This is the one that started it all — a lightweight, fitted down jacket with a neat, tailored silhouette. It's cut closer to the body than most of their range. Most women find it fits true to their EU size, but if you plan to layer chunky knitwear underneath, go up one. If you're wearing it as a mid-layer, your true size is perfect.
Masterpiece / Long Bear styles: The longer, fuller expedition-grade jackets have a more generous cut built in — they're designed to be worn over substantial layers. Your true EU size works well here, and the roomier cut means you're unlikely to need to size up even if you run a little bigger through the shoulders.
Lightweight & Quilted jackets: Their lighter technical styles — the Hailee, the Zuly — are cut slim and sleek for city wear. These come up the most fitted of any style in the range. If you're between sizes, go up. If you have a fuller bust or broad shoulders, definitely size up by one.
Soft-shell & Fleece styles: These follow standard EU sizing reliably. Your usual EU size is the right call.
Shorter puffer styles: Generally true to EU size with a slightly boxy, relaxed fit. Very forgiving — most body types can wear their standard size comfortably.

Fit Tips From Someone Who's Styled a Lot of Outerwear

The single most common mistake I see with premium outerwear is people buying it too small because it looks cleaner on the hanger. A down jacket that's too tight across the back or shoulders doesn't just look wrong — it actually compromises the performance of the fill. The down needs space to loft properly to do its job. A jacket that gaps across the chest or pulls at the back zip is one that won't keep you as warm as it should.

My practical advice: when trying Parajumpers on, raise your arms above your head and do a full rotation of your shoulders. If you feel any pulling across the upper back, go up a size. This is a jacket you're likely to wear for years — fit it for movement, not just for standing still in front of a mirror.

Also worth noting: Parajumpers jackets don't really date. The Gobi looks as good now as it did a decade ago. So buying correctly and getting the fit right is genuinely worth the effort — this isn't a fast-fashion purchase.

Where Else to Look: Brand Alternatives by Budget

Parajumpers is a serious investment, and it's one I think is absolutely worth making if premium outerwear is your priority. But there's a brilliant range of alternatives at every price point:

🛍️ HIGH STREET PICKS

Barbour — The British outerwear institution. Their quilted and waxed jackets have an entirely different aesthetic to Parajumpers but the same ethos of making something built to last. Sizing is UK standard and very reliable. An essential wardrobe staple.
Superdry — Has made a name for its technical-looking outerwear at accessible prices. Their down jackets have improved significantly in quality and the sizing tends to be slightly generous — good news if you're layering.
Tommy Hilfiger — Brilliant for the preppy, heritage-influenced take on padded outerwear. Their puffer jackets are well-cut, well-priced for the quality, and come in a great range of colours. Sizing is US-influenced and tends to be generous.
Gant — Another heritage brand doing outerwear really well at a step below the luxury price point. Their down jackets have a clean Scandinavian-influenced aesthetic that overlaps nicely with the Parajumpers customer. Sizing is true to EU standard.
Fat Face — For a more relaxed, lifestyle-focused take on warm outerwear. Great for weekends, dog walks, and anything that needs to survive actual British weather. Sizing is true to UK and the fit is generous and comfortable.
Seasalt Cornwall — Brilliant for sustainable, well-constructed outerwear with real personality. Their padded jackets and coats are a genuine high street standout. Sizing runs true to UK with a relaxed, practical fit.
All Saints — For the edgier, more urban end of the outerwear market. Their leather and padded jacket range has a cool, downtown aesthetic. Sizing runs slightly small — check measurements and size up in fitted styles.

✨ PREMIUM STEP-UP

Hush — Quietly brilliant for elevated, thoughtful outerwear at a price that sits just below the luxury tier. Their padded coats and jackets are beautifully designed and consistently well-reviewed. Sizing is true to UK throughout.
Boden — Don't underestimate Boden for outerwear — their coats and jackets are genuinely excellent quality and their sizing is among the most reliable and consistent on the market. Very accessible price point for the quality.
Calvin Klein — For the clean, minimal, logo-free approach to premium outerwear. Their down and padded jackets have a timeless appeal and the quality is a noticeable step up from high street. Sizing uses US conventions — size up by one from your UK size.

🌟 INDEPENDENT PICKS WORTH KNOWING

Pyrenex — A French down specialist founded in 1859 that most people in the UK have never heard of — which baffles me, because their quality is genuinely exceptional. They supply down fill to some of the biggest luxury houses, and their own-brand jackets are beautiful, incredibly warm, and cut with real Gallic elegance. Sizing follows French/EU conventions — true to EU size. If you love Parajumpers, Pyrenex is the brand you need to discover next.
Moose Knuckles — The Canadian luxury outerwear brand that's built a fierce cult following among those who know their outerwear. Incredibly warm, impeccably constructed, and with a boldness to the design that Parajumpers doesn't always have. Sizing uses Canadian/US conventions — size up by one from your UK size. A genuine Parajumpers-level investment with a different, more directional personality.

Spending Serious Money on a Jacket? Get the Size Right First

When you're investing in premium outerwear — Parajumpers, Pyrenex, or any of the brands above — getting the sizing wrong is a genuinely painful (and expensive) mistake. That's exactly what Tellar.co.uk is built to prevent.

Tellar is the UK's leading clothing sizing tool. Enter your measurements once and it instantly matches you to your correct size across 1,500+ brands — including premium outerwear labels — so you can buy with total confidence.

Measure once — your bust, waist and hips (or use a brand size you already know fits you well)
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size in Parajumpers, Barbour, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and 1,500+ more brands instantly
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And explore the Tellar Fashion Hub while you're there — a growing library of free, unsponsored posts covering everything from brand sizing guides to trend advice and honest brand reviews. Written by real stylists. No ads, no bias.

Find Your Parajumpers Size → Tellar