What Is Sizing Like at Parlez?

So, Is Parlez True to Size?

Short version: yes, broadly. Parlez is a Bristol-born label (the name's pronounced "par-ley", in case you've been saying it wrong like I did for a year) that draws on nautical and vintage sportswear, and it's cut for a relaxed, lived-in look rather than slim tailoring. You're not pairing this with sharp trousers — it lives in the casual lane, and the fit reflects that.

The brand sits "true to size" on most pieces, but there are a few quirks that catch people out. Here's how it breaks down garment by garment:

T-shirts — Largely true to size, sized in roughly 4-inch chest increments (a small lands around a 36" chest). A few graphic tees are deliberately cut large for that boxy, oversized look — check the product page, because if it says relaxed, it means it. If you want a clean true-to-size fit, take your usual; if you want it baggy, size up.
Sweatshirts & hoodies — These run a touch generous, especially at the smaller end, because they're built with layering room. If you're between sizes or plan to wear a tee underneath, your normal size is spot on. Don't size up out of habit (learn from my flatmate-sized mistake).
1/4-zips & knitwear — True to size with a comfortable, not clingy, body. Great over a collared shirt.
Button-down shirts — Parlez doesn't do slim fit here. The cut is relaxed through the body, so if you like a fitted shirt, you may want to take it in or accept the easy drape (which, for the record, looks bang on with this aesthetic).
Caps & beanies — One-size, no drama.

The takeaway: order your normal size on tees, sweats and knits, and only deviate if a specific piece is flagged as oversized or you genuinely want a looser silhouette.

How I'd Style It (And What to Buy)

Parlez is a brilliant "weekend uniform" brand, and the trick is leaning into the coastal-meets-streetwear feel without going full fancy-dress sailor. A few things I'd reach for:

The logo sweatshirt with straight or slightly tapered trousers and a clean trainer — it's the easy off-duty look that always works.
A 1/4-zip layered over a tee, which is very on-trend right now as the sporty-prep thing keeps rolling. Add a cap and you're sorted for a Saturday.
The relaxed overshirt or shirt jacket as your transitional layer — chuck it over a tee in spring, under a coat in winter.

Colour-wise, Parlez does navy, ecru, washed neutrals and the odd pop beautifully. Keep the rest of your outfit quiet and let one logo piece do the talking. Overloading on branding is the quickest way to look like you tried too hard — restraint is the move.

If Parlez Fits You, Try These Too

One of the most useful things I can tell you is which brands sit in the same lane, and crucially, how their sizing compares. Here's where I'd look across three price points.

High Street

Uniqlo — The reliable backbone. Their tees and crews run true to size but a touch slimmer than Parlez, so if you love the relaxed Parlez feel, consider sizing up one for the same vibe. Unbeatable for plain layering basics under your statement pieces.
Weekday — H&M's streetwear arm, with the boxy, modern cuts that pair naturally with Parlez. It generally runs large and oversized, so take your true size unless you want it really roomy.

Independent / Boutique

Universal Works — A Nottingham label doing relaxed, workwear-leaning menswear with serious fabric quality. Sizing is generous and true; size down if you're between sizes and want it neater. Brilliant overshirts.
Wax London — Known for the textured Dinton overshirt and earthy palette. True to size with a regular fit — a natural step up from Parlez when you want something a bit more considered but still casual.

Designer / Luxury

A.P.C. — The French minimalist benchmark. Cuts run noticeably slimmer and shorter than UK streetwear, so size up one if you're coming from Parlez. Worth it for the quietly perfect sweats and tees.
Stone Island — If you want to elevate the sporty-casual thing with proper technical pedigree. Italian sizing runs slim and trim, so most blokes size up. The compass badge does the talking — pair it back with plain everything.

Notice the pattern? Every brand has its own ruler. That's exactly why guessing your size across labels is a fast route to the returns desk — which brings me neatly to the thing that actually solves it.

Never Guess Your Size Again

Here's the genuinely useful bit. Tellar is the UK's leading sizing tool — match your body to over 1,500 brands instantly and stop squinting at size guides for good. Measure once (bust, waist, hip, or just your existing size in a brand you own) and you're set.

Use the Store Size Lookup to get your exact size in any brand — COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket & loads more.
Shop with confidence — no guesswork, fewer returns, better-fitting buys.
Always free, no downloads, works straight in your browser.

And it's backed by the Tellar Fashion Hub: a library of free posts from our stylists covering pretty much every fashion query you can think of. Honest, unbiased, independent and always free — style advice, top picks and the best brands, with no one paying to be featured.

Find Your Size How to Measure

So, to put a bow on it: Parlez is true to size on the whole, generous on the sweats and shirts, and occasionally oversized on graphic tees by design. Order your normal size, read the product page for any "relaxed" flags, and you'll be grand. And if you're shopping across the brands I've listed above, run them through Tellar first — it takes the maths out of it entirely.