What Is Sizing Like at PE Nation?

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

PE Nation sizes true to a standard UK/international sizing scale, running XS–XXL across most styles — but the brand's bold, athletic cuts mean fit varies noticeably between their compression pieces, their oversized streetwear styles, and their looser resort-wear. Knowing which category you're shopping is half the battle.

I've been a fan of PE Nation for a few years now — not just because the colourways are genuinely stunning (that retro palette is hard to resist), but because when the fit is right, their pieces feel like proper investment activewear. I did, however, order a compression sports bra in my usual size early on and spent ten uncomfortable minutes trying to get it over my shoulders. Lesson learned: with performance pieces, size up. I've since bought their outerwear and swim ranges with complete confidence in my normal size. More on all of that below.

About PE Nation

PE Nation is an Australian activewear and lifestyle brand founded in 2016 by Pip Edwards and Claire Tregoning. It quickly became a cult favourite for its retro-inflected colourblocking, bold logos, and the way it blurred the line between gym kit and actual street style. The brand is stocked globally — including in the UK at NET-A-PORTER, ASOS, and its own website — and sits in that premium-but-not-untouchable price bracket that makes it genuinely aspirational without requiring a second mortgage.

PE Nation Size Guide: Women's Conversion Table

PE Nation uses Australian sizing on its labels. Here's how that maps to UK, US and EU sizes:

Note: Australian sizing aligns closely with UK sizing, so there's no conversion needed if you shop by UK size — just go by your usual UK number.

Fit by Garment Type: Where It Gets Specific

Sports Bras & Compression Tops

This is where most people — including me — get caught out. PE Nation's performance sports bras and compression crop tops run small. The fabrics are dense and high-compression by design, which is brilliant for high-impact workouts, but it means the fit can feel suffocating if you go true to size. My strong advice:

If you're between sizes, size up in sports bras
If you have a larger bust (D+ cup), go up a full size — the ribband in particular can dig in
The back closure styles offer a little more flexibility than the pull-on styles

Leggings & Bike Shorts

PE Nation leggings are, in my opinion, where the brand really delivers. The fit is consistent and the fabric hold is excellent. Most styles run true to size, and the waistbands stay put even during more demanding sessions. A few things worth knowing:

High-waisted styles are genuinely high-waisted — great for coverage, but if you have a longer torso they can sit a touch short at the top
The recycled fabric ranges (their more sustainable lines) can run very slightly looser — still within true-to-size territory, but worth noting
Bike shorts are excellent true to size; the length hits perfectly at mid-thigh on most heights

Outerwear & Hoodies

PE Nation's outerwear and knitwear is intentionally oversized and relaxed in its silhouette — it's streetwear-adjacent, not athletic. These styles are sized true to size but designed with generous proportions. If you're petite or prefer a more fitted look, consider sizing down one. If you love that voluminous, borrowed-from-the-boys aesthetic, go true to size or even up.

Swimwear

This is another category to pay attention to. PE Nation swimwear is cut quite small — similar to most Australian swim brands. I'd suggest:

Sizing up one in swimwear as a general rule
If you're fuller in the bust, definitely go up — the triangle styles in particular offer limited support if undersized
One-pieces run particularly snug through the torso; if you're tall, they may also feel short in the body

Tracksuits & Co-ords

The co-ordinate sets are a PE Nation strongpoint and these tend to be the most straightforward to size. They run true to size with a relaxed, athletic cut. If you're buying separates to mix with other brands, their medium is a very consistent UK 10–12.

What About Returns? A Practical Note

PE Nation ships to the UK and does accept returns, but as it's an Australian brand, the returns process can take time and sometimes involves a postage cost. I'd really recommend using a reliable size guide before ordering — which brings me neatly onto Tellar.

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Where to Shop PE Nation in the UK

PE Nation is available through a handful of reliable UK stockists, which is handy if you want faster delivery and easier returns:

NET-A-PORTER — best selection of current-season pieces, great customer service
ASOS — reliable UK-based delivery; occasionally carries PE Nation and is worth checking for drops
PE Nation's own website (pe-nation.com) — full range but factor in international shipping and returns

Alternatives to PE Nation: Where to Shop a Similar Vibe

PE Nation sits at the premium end of activewear. If the price point isn't quite right — or you want to try the aesthetic before committing — here are my picks across different budgets:

High Street & Mid-Market

Sweaty Betty — the most direct UK equivalent at a similar price point; excellent leggings with a comparable aesthetic and a full sizing guide. My personal go-to when I can't justify PE Nation prices.
Lululemon — technically premium, but stocked widely in the UK. Their Align leggings are exceptional, and sizing is consistent and well documented.
Gymshark — brilliant for performance pieces at a more accessible price. The colourways have improved hugely in recent years and the sizing is generous and well charted.
M&S — seriously underrated for activewear. Their Good Move range is technically brilliant, affordable, and comes in an excellent size range. No, it's not as cool. Yes, it works.
H&M — the Move range is great value and the recycled-fabric leggings in particular are genuinely good. Worth a look if you're budget-conscious.
Urban Outfitters — stocks a rotating edit of premium activewear brands and has its own loungewear-meets-sport range that captures a similar retro-bold energy to PE Nation.
ASOS — huge range of activewear brands under one roof; great for comparison shopping if you're working out which premium brand suits your body best before investing.

Independent & Left-Field Picks

Girlfriend Collective (girlfriend.com) — an independent US-based brand with a brilliant sizing range (XXS–6XL), serious sustainability credentials, and a retro colour palette that PE Nation fans will love. Their Compressive leggings are excellent. Very much worth knowing about.
Varley (varley.com) — a London-born activewear brand that's quietly become one of the best in class. Less bold than PE Nation but impeccably made, with great size consistency and a studio-to-street aesthetic that feels genuinely elevated.

Premium & Luxury

Alo Yoga — cult US brand now available in the UK; similar price to PE Nation, very strong aesthetic, excellent quality
Wolford — for high-performance, luxury-finish activewear when only the best will do
The Row (for elevated athleisure-adjacent dressing) — strictly luxury, but their minimalist sport-casual pieces are extraordinary