What Is Sizing Like at Quiksilver?

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

Quiksilver women's clothing is generally true to size — the brand uses standard alpha sizing (XS through XL) and for most pieces you can comfortably shop your usual size. That said, there are some nuances worth knowing, particularly around the fit of wetsuits and technical outerwear versus casual everyday pieces, and the fact that Quiksilver has historically cut its women's range with a fairly athletic, surf-active body shape in mind. If you're shopping purely for the lifestyle and casual clothing, it's an easy brand to size in. If you're going technical — wetsuits, ski jackets, snow gear — the rules change a little.

I'll be honest — Quiksilver isn't a brand I'd historically have associated with women's fashion, but that's changed. I found myself reaching for one of their fleece zip-ups last winter because I was cold on a coastal walk and it was genuinely the best-looking technical option in the shop. Ended up wearing it over everything for three months. The brand has come a long way from purely functional surf kit, and their casual women's range is actually brilliant — relaxed, well-made, and very wearable beyond the beach. But you still need to know how it sizes, so let's get into it.

The Sizing System at a Glance

Quiksilver uses alpha sizing across its women's range — XS, S, M, L, and XL — which roughly maps to UK sizes 6 through 16. The brand was originally Australian and is now headquartered in California, so it sizes in a broadly international way without the Italian or French sizing complications you get from European labels. Here's how the sizes break down against UK sizing and body measurements:

ELLA'S KEY TIP Quiksilver sizes span two UK sizes per alpha size — so if you sit right on the boundary between a UK 10 and UK 12, for example, go by your measurements rather than picking one at random. If you're fuller through the hip relative to your waist, size to your hip measurement and belt or tuck where needed.

Casual Clothing — How It Fits Day to Day

Quiksilver's casual women's range — T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, shorts, and lightweight summer dresses — is where the brand is most relaxed and accessible in terms of sizing. These pieces are designed with movement and comfort in mind, and most of them have a laid-back, slightly boxy or easy fit rather than a tailored, close-cut silhouette.

T-shirts and vests tend to run comfortably true to size, with a relaxed fit through the body. If you prefer a closer fit, you could size down; if you like an oversized look, your usual size works well.
Sweatshirts and hoodies are cut with a comfortable, active fit — not super baggy, but with enough room to layer over a base layer or bikini top without feeling restricted. True to size is the general rule here.
Dresses and casual beach pieces in the women's range are typically designed to be easy and unstructured. They tend to have a flowing, relaxed silhouette — more about a good drape than a precise fit — so true to size or even a size down if you're petite works well here.
Shorts and trousers with elasticated waists are very forgiving — these essentially span across sizes and fit a broad range without issue. Woven shorts with a fixed waistband follow the standard conversion table above and are true to size.

Technical Outerwear & Snow Gear — Size Up

This is where the sizing conversation gets more specific, and it matters because getting the wrong size in a ski jacket or snow pant is an expensive and annoying mistake. Quiksilver's technical snow range is genuinely excellent — well-made, properly waterproof, and built for real conditions — but the fit is designed around base and mid layers underneath.

Ski and snowboard jackets should be sized up if you plan to layer. A technical jacket worn over a thermal base layer and a fleece mid-layer needs room — if you go true to size, it can feel restricting once you're fully kitted out. I'd always recommend going up one size for snow outerwear.
Snow trousers similarly benefit from sizing up, particularly if you're wearing thermals underneath. Check the waist and hip measurements carefully — snow pants that pull across the thigh when you bend or crouch are deeply impractical on a mountain.
Fleeces and mid layers can be sized true to size as they're designed to sit next to the body without bulk. These are brilliant standalone pieces too — one of my most-reached-for winter basics is a Quiksilver half-zip fleece that genuinely looks great with jeans.

Wetsuits — A Different Sizing World Entirely

Quiksilver makes some of the best recreational wetsuits on the market, and the women's range is particularly strong. But wetsuit sizing works differently from clothing — it's not just about measurements but about the length of your torso and how the neoprene will sit against your body once submerged.

Quiksilver wetsuits have their own dedicated sizing chart, separate from the apparel table above. Always use it, and always measure your height as well as bust, waist, and hip.
A wetsuit should feel snug — there should be no air pockets or excess fabric once on. If it feels roomy, size down. If it's so tight you struggle to bend, size up. There's not much middle ground with neoprene.
If you're between sizes, the general advice from wetsuit specialists is to size for your chest measurement first, then torso length. Hip and waist are easier to accommodate with a slightly larger size than a tight chest is.
For recreational surfing or swimming in UK waters, the 3/2mm full suit is the most versatile option. The 4/3mm is worth considering if you're surfing through winter.

Fit for Different Body Shapes

The honest truth about Quiksilver's women's fit is that it was historically designed with a fairly athletic, boyish silhouette in mind — narrow hips, flat chest, active build. That's changed considerably as the brand has grown its women's range, but it's still worth bearing in mind if you're curvier.

If you have a fuller bust — especially in fitted tops, rash vests, and wetsuits, size to your bust and expect the waist to have a little extra room. The casual range is forgiving here; technical pieces less so.
If you're curvy through the hip — shorts and trousers with a fixed waistband can feel snug. Elasticated waists are your friend, or size to your hips and take in the waist if needed for non-stretch pieces.
If you're petite — the casual range in XS to S is quite good for petite frames, particularly the T-shirts and shorts. Longer pieces like dresses may fall below the knee; check the product length measurements on the website before ordering.
If you're tall — standard leg lengths and dress lengths may fall shorter than expected. The brand is not particularly tall-inclusive in its women's range; this is something to factor in if you're 5'9" or above.

High Street Alternatives to Quiksilver

Quiksilver occupies that brilliant spot between proper surf and outdoor performance and everyday casual wear. These are the brands I'd point you towards if you love that aesthetic but want to explore further:

Fat Face — quintessentially British coastal-casual, with a very similar relaxed, outdoorsy sensibility to Quiksilver's everyday range. Brilliant quality fleeces, casual dresses, and knitwear. Sizing is generous and consistent, and the brand has a genuinely strong women's range. A real staple.
Seasalt Cornwall — another coastal-lifestyle brand with serious UK credentials. Seasalt's prints, dresses, and outerwear are beautifully made and have that same salt-in-the-air spirit as Quiksilver. Their sizing is UK-standard and reliable. Brilliant for women who love the coastal aesthetic without wanting full-on surf branding.
Hollister — the most direct high-street match for Quiksilver's youthful California-surf aesthetic. Casual shorts, easy T-shirts, relaxed hoodies — very similar DNA, very accessible price point. Sizing is American so read the size guide, but generally consistent.
Superdry — particularly strong for outerwear, hoodies, and casual separates with an outdoor-influenced edge. A very natural swap for Quiksilver's more technical-casual pieces, and widely available across the UK.
Abercrombie & Fitch — has genuinely reinvented itself in recent years and now makes excellent casual pieces. Their denim, knitwear, and easy dresses have a relaxed, California-cool feel that sits right alongside the Quiksilver world. Sizing runs fairly true.
All Saints — for the cooler, more fashion-forward end of the Quiksilver customer. All Saints does effortlessly cool casual pieces — biker jackets, easy tees, relaxed denim — with a slightly edgier twist. Great quality and consistent sizing.
Levi's — if Quiksilver denim or casual basics are what you're after, Levi's is the gold standard. Iconic denim in every cut, brilliant casual tees and trucker jackets. A wardrobe non-negotiable, and sizing is well-documented.

Premium & Technical Alternatives

Barbour — for the heritage outdoor and coastal end of the Quiksilver aesthetic, Barbour is the premium British equivalent. Their waxed jackets and casual knitwear are classics for a reason, and the quality is exceptional. A genuine investment piece.
The Gap — honest, well-made casual basics at a very accessible premium level. Excellent for classic pieces like hoodies, chinos, and easy summer dresses with a clean, Californian simplicity that feels right at home in the Quiksilver world.

Two Independent Labels Worth Discovering

Finisterre — a Cornwall-based independent brand that makes genuinely world-class sustainable surf and outdoor clothing for women. If you love Quiksilver's technical credentials but want something more considered, ethical, and British in its DNA, Finisterre is the answer. Their wetsuits are particularly good. Find them at finisterre.com — they're the real deal.
Passenger Clothing — a UK-based independent outdoor and lifestyle label with a beautifully relaxed aesthetic and serious sustainability credentials. Think faded florals, easy linen, and well-made fleeces — all made from organic and recycled materials. For the Quiksilver customer who wants the laid-back coastal vibe with a more consciously made wardrobe. At passenger-clothing.com.

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