What Is Sizing Like at Pepe Jeans?

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

Pepe Jeans run small — particularly through the hip and thigh — and if you're buying jeans, you should expect to size up at least one, and sometimes two sizes from your usual UK label size. This is the single most important thing to know before you order. The brand uses both waist/leg (W/L) sizing for denim and standard XS–XL sizing for clothing, and the two systems can feel almost unrelated, which adds to the confusion. Once you understand how the brand grades, though, it's actually quite consistent — and honestly, Pepe makes some brilliant jeans if you land the right size.

I'll be straight with you: I nearly put a client off Pepe Jeans entirely because of a sizing disaster early in my career. She was a consistent UK 12, we ordered a W30 based on the size guide, and the jeans wouldn't get past her hips. Exchanged for a W32 and they fitted beautifully — great waist definition, flattering through the thigh, exactly the relaxed straight leg we were after. The lesson? Pepe jeans are cut narrow through the seat and upper leg. Always, always measure your hips, not just your waist, and size to those.

Understanding Pepe Jeans Sizing

Pepe Jeans uses two different sizing systems depending on the product:

Denim (jeans, denim shorts, denim skirts) — sized in W (waist) and L (leg length): W24 through to W34, with leg lengths typically 30, 32, and 34.
Ready-to-wear (tops, dresses, jackets, knitwear) — sized in XS through to XL, or numerically as UK 8–16 depending on the style.

For denim, the waist measurement is given in inches and refers to the actual garment waist — not your body waist measurement. Given that Pepe cuts narrow through the seat and hip, you need to size to your hip, then check the waist. Here's a general conversion guide:

Pepe Jeans Waist (W)UK Dress SizeBody Waist (inches)Body Hip (inches)W26825–2635–36W278–1026–2736–37W281027–2837–38W2910–1228–2938–39W301229–3039–40W3112–1430–3140–41W321431–3241–42W3314–1632–3342–43W341633–3443–44

Practical tip: If your hip measurement sits near the top of a size bracket, go up. Pepe's denim has very little stretch in the non-stretch styles — the slim and skinny cuts especially. Their relaxed and wide-leg styles are more lenient, but I'd still recommend measuring before you buy.

Fit by Jean Style

Pepe Jeans has a wide range and the fit really does vary across their styles. Here's what to expect:

Slim & Skinny Styles (e.g. Pixie, Soho)These are Pepe's most unforgiving cuts. They're designed to sit close to the leg from hip to ankle, and there's minimal ease built in. If you have a fuller thigh or hip, size up without hesitation — there's no point in wrestling with denim that's working against you. These styles look incredible when they fit, but they genuinely won't stretch to accommodate the wrong size.

Straight & Relaxed Styles (e.g. Mary, Lexa)Much more forgiving. These cuts have a straighter leg that skims rather than grips, and there's usually a little more room through the seat. Still size to your hip measurement, but you're less likely to be caught out here. The straight-leg styles in particular have had a real moment — rightly so, they're incredibly versatile.

Wide-Leg & Flares (e.g. Dua, Willa)Pepe has really leaned into the wide-leg trend and these styles are, in my view, their strongest right now. The wider cut through the leg means fit anxiety is reduced — your main focus here is just getting the waist and hip right. These look brilliant with a fitted knit tucked in or a crisp white shirt tied at the front.

Ready-to-Wear ClothingFor tops, knitwear, and dresses, Pepe again runs on the smaller side — particularly through the chest and shoulder. If you're a UK 12, I'd suggest ordering a 14 to try first. Their jackets and outerwear can also pull across the back if you go true to your usual size. The denim jackets, which are a Pepe staple, fit slim — especially through the upper arm.

What Pepe Jeans Does Really Well

Founded in London's Portobello Road market in 1973, Pepe Jeans has always had a certain British-cool credibility that sets it apart from purely American denim brands. The quality for the price point is solid — this is genuinely mid-market denim that sits comfortably above the high street in terms of fabric weight and construction. Their signature styles have a slight vintage flavour to them, which feels very current right now given the ongoing appetite for anything with a retro edge.

The wide-leg and barrel-leg styles in particular are worth exploring if you haven't already — they're doing them really well at the moment, and the price per wear on a good pair of Pepe jeans is excellent. For anyone who finds premium denim brands like PAIGE or Citizens of Humanity a stretch budget-wise, Pepe genuinely bridges that gap.

Alternatives at Every Budget

Whether you're after a similar denim aesthetic at a different price point, or just want to explore the wider market before committing, here are my recommendations:

High Street Picks (chosen for their denim credentials):

Levi's — the gold standard for accessible denim. Their W/L sizing is more generous through the hip than Pepe and their size guide is one of the most reliable on the market. The 501, 724 and Ribcage styles are all wardrobe essentials.
Mango — consistently one of the best high street destinations for on-trend denim. Their wide-leg and barrel-leg styles are beautifully cut and very well priced. Sizing tends to be closer to true-to-size than Pepe.
Abercrombie & Fitch — massively underrated for denim. Their Curve Love range is specifically designed for a fuller hip-to-waist ratio and gets exceptional reviews. If Pepe's narrow hip cut frustrates you, try Abercrombie.
River Island — strong denim range with good style variety and a slightly more generous cut through the seat and thigh. A reliable high street denim destination that often nails current trends quickly.
Hollister — their denim is better than its reputation suggests. Particularly good for slim and straight-leg styles, and they size inclusively with a decent range of leg lengths.
The Gap — a criminally underrated denim brand. Their straight-leg and high-rise styles are beautifully cut, and the sizing is honest and consistent. Worth visiting before you dismiss it as boring.
Calvin Klein — for classic, minimal denim at an accessible price point. The high-rise straight and slim styles are particularly strong, and the branding adds just enough edge without being shouty.

Premium Mid-Range:

Citizens of Humanity — elevated, beautifully crafted denim with a relaxed California feel. Sizing is more generous through the hip than Pepe and the fabric quality is outstanding. Worth the investment for a key wardrobe piece.
Paige — brilliant for anyone who wants true premium denim without going full designer. Famous for their flattering fits through the hip and thigh. Once you've worn Paige, it's hard to go back.

Two Independent Picks:

Outland Denim — an Australian independent brand producing some of the most ethically made denim available. Their jeans are beautifully constructed, come in a brilliant range of fits, and the brand's social mission (employing women escaping exploitation) makes every pair feel genuinely worthwhile.
Boyish Jeans — a cult LA-based independent label that's gained a serious following in the UK for their sustainably produced, vintage-inspired denim. Their wide-leg and straight styles are particularly strong and the sizing is refreshingly consistent.

Get Your Pepe Jeans Size Right — Every Time

W sizes, narrow hip cuts, two separate sizing systems depending on what you're buying — Pepe Jeans is exactly the kind of brand where guessing doesn't work. That's where Tellar.co.uk comes in.

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And don't miss the Tellar Fashion Hub — a free library of honest, unsponsored posts covering every fashion and sizing question you could think of. Written by real stylists. Independent. Always free.