What Is Sizing Like at Passenger? An Honest Stylist's Guide to Getting the Fit Right

The short answer: Passenger generally runs large, so most women will want to size down — especially in the fleeces, sherpa jackets and outerwear, which are cut on the relaxed, often unisex side. If you're hovering between two sizes, the smaller one is almost always the safer bet. There are a few exceptions (their tees and hoodies can come up boxy and slightly cropped), but as a rule, Passenger errs roomy. I've been styling clients in British outdoor and lifestyle labels for years, and Passenger is one of the brands I get asked about most — so let me save you the returns faff.

By Ella Blake – Senior fashion stylist & Founder | Tellar – Always honest, unbiased, & unsponsored post

Does Passenger Run True to Size?

Mostly, no — it runs a touch generous. Passenger is a sustainable British brand built around "meaningful escapism", so the whole ethos is relaxed, throw-it-on, made-to-roam clothing. That design philosophy bleeds straight into the fit. Their bestselling fleeces and waterproofs are cut for layering, which means there's deliberate room built in for a jumper underneath. Lovely on a blustery coastal walk; less lovely if you wanted something neat and fitted.

Here's how I'd think about it category by category:

Fleeces & sherpa jackets: The most oversized pieces in the range. If you're an XS–S in everyday brands, you'll likely want the smaller size here. A few of my clients who are a UK 12 have ended up in a Passenger small.
Waterproofs & outerwear: Often unisex or "relaxed fit", with deep armholes for layering. Size down unless you genuinely want bulk over knitwear.
Tees, hoodies & sweatshirts: The women's cuts can be boxy and a little cropped, so here it's worth checking the specific product description — some sit true, some don't.
Trousers & joggers: Typically mid-rise with elasticated or drawstring waists. They lean slightly large, so stick to your usual size, or size down if you want them snugger.
Swim robes & loungewear: Designed oversized on purpose — keep your normal size if you like the cosy, cocoon feel.

My Honest Take on the Quality

Genuinely good. Passenger sits at a premium price point, and for the most part it earns it — recycled and organic fabrics, proper attention to detail, colours that don't fade after a fortnight. The one consistent grumble I hear (and have seen myself) is that some fleeces can pill or look tired after a few washes, so wash them cool and inside out. The drobes, jackets and tees, though, are the kind of pieces clients keep for years. They're investment buys rather than throwaway fashion, which is rather the point.

A Stylist's Trick for Nailing the Fit

The smartest thing you can do before ordering is measure yourself once — bust, waist and hips — and then compare those numbers against the product's actual measurements rather than the size label. Passenger's fit varies enough across ranges that the label alone won't save you. If you're between sizes and the piece is described as "relaxed" or "oversized", downsize. If it says "true to size", trust it. And if you want the same length-of-body issue solved that a lot of shorter women mention with the fleeces, look at the body length measurement specifically — it's where Passenger occasionally runs long.

Where Else to Shop for the Same Vibe

If you love the Passenger look — that easy, outdoorsy, sustainable-but-stylish feel — here's where I'd send my clients across every budget.

High Street

Seasalt Cornwall – The closest spiritual cousin on the high street. Coastal-inspired, organic cottons, brilliant for relaxed everyday layering. Fit is generous and forgiving.
Fat Face – Casual outdoor staples done well. Softer, more fitted than Passenger, so a good shout if you found Passenger too roomy.
Joules – Country-meets-coast with proper personality and print. Great for fleeces and quilted layers.
White Stuff – Cosy, characterful and quietly ethical. Their jersey and knitwear sit a little more tailored.
Superdry – Stronger on technical-feel zip-throughs and hoodies at an accessible price. Tends to run slim, so the opposite problem to Passenger.
Barbour – The heritage option for outerwear that lasts decades. More structured and traditional than Passenger's slouchy ease.
Sweaty Betty – If it's the active, on-the-move side of Passenger you're after, this is your tier upgrade. Beautifully made performance pieces.

Premium

Lululemon – Worth it if you want genuinely technical fabrics with a polished finish for active days and travel. Fit is precise and true to size, unlike Passenger's slouch.

Luxury / Designer

Max Mara – For when you want the elevated, investment version of relaxed outerwear — think beautifully cut coats and luxe layering that still feels easy to live in.

Two Left-Field Independents Worth Knowing

Finisterre – A Cornish B-Corp built for cold-water surfers. Arguably the best in Britain for genuinely sustainable, sea-tested outerwear, and the fit runs truer than Passenger's.
Rapanui – An Isle of Wight organic brand with a brilliant circular take-back scheme. Lovely soft tees and sweats if Passenger's ethos is what drew you in.

How Tellar Takes the Guesswork Out of Sizing

Honestly, this is exactly why I built Tellar — the UK's leading sizing tool. Your body, matched exactly to 1,500+ brands instantly, so you never squint at a size guide again.

Measure once, using your bust, waist, hip, or simply your existing size in a brand you already own.
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size in any brand — COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket and more.
Always free, no downloads needed — it works right in your browser.

And once you've sorted your size, dive into the Tellar Fashion Hub: a library stacked with free posts from our top stylists. Honest. Unbiased. Independent. And always free — style advice, top picks and the best brands for every occasion.

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