What Is Sizing Like at Regatta?

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

Regatta sizes run true to standard UK sizing across most of their women's range — but their outdoor and technical pieces are cut with a slightly relaxed, functional fit that allows for layering, so if you prefer a more fitted look, sizing down one is often the right call. There are also some genuinely important things to know about their length options and fit categories before you order. Let me break it all down.

I'll be upfront: Regatta wasn't always on my radar as a stylist. For a long time I filed it under "purely functional" and moved on. Then a client asked me to help her pull together a walking holiday wardrobe that actually looked decent — not just practical — and I ended up spending a lot of time with the Regatta range. My honest verdict? There's a lot more to it than I gave it credit for, the quality-to-price ratio is genuinely excellent, and the sizing — once you understand it — is actually quite straightforward. But there are a few specifics worth knowing, especially if you're buying waterproofs or base layers for the first time.

How Regatta Sizing Works — The Basics

Regatta is a British brand through and through, and they use standard UK sizing — which is a good starting point. Unlike some outdoor brands that only go up to a size 18 or scale their fits awkwardly, Regatta runs from a UK 8 up to a UK 22 across most lines, which I genuinely appreciate. Their extended size range is one of the things that sets them apart in the outdoor market.

That said, the fit across the range does vary by category:

Waterproof jackets and outdoor shells: These are cut with layering room built in — meaning a size 12 is designed to go over a fleece or mid-layer. If you're wearing one purely as a light rain layer over a t-shirt, you'll find it feels quite generous. Size down one if you want a cleaner, closer fit for everyday use.
Fleeces and mid-layers: Generally true to size, with a comfortable, slightly relaxed cut. These aren't figure-hugging by design — they're working garments — but they sit well and don't look sloppy.
Softshells: These tend to be the most fitted silhouette in the range. True to size, sometimes slightly slim through the shoulders. If you're broad-shouldered, consider sizing up one.
Walking trousers: True to size on the waist, but the leg length is where it gets interesting — more on that below.
Base layers: Designed to fit close to the body for thermal performance. Go true to size for the technical benefit; size up if you want them comfortable for casual wear.
T-shirts and casual tops: Standard UK sizing, relaxed fit. These come up quite generously — plenty of room without feeling oversized.

Regatta Women's Size Conversion Chart

Here's the full conversion across standard UK, EU, and US sizes, with measurements:

UK SIZEEU SIZEUS SIZEBUST (CM)WAIST (CM)HIP (CM)UK 834480 – 8362 – 6586 – 89UK 1036684 – 8766 – 6990 – 93UK 1238888 – 9170 – 7394 – 97UK 14401092 – 9574 – 7798 – 101UK 16421296 – 9978 – 81102 – 105UK 184414100 – 10382 – 85106 – 109UK 204616104 – 10786 – 89110 – 113UK 224818108 – 11190 – 93114 – 117

Ella's Fit Tip: Regatta measures their jackets and tops using the bust measurement primarily — so if you're between sizes, always go up rather than down for outerwear. For trousers, waist is the key measurement and lengths are sold separately by short, regular, and long — a genuinely brilliant feature that most outdoor brands don't bother with.

Leg Lengths — The Feature Most People Miss

This is honestly one of the best things about shopping Regatta walking trousers, and I wish more brands did it. Many of their trousers come in three leg lengths:

Short: Inside leg approximately 29 inches — ideal if you're 5'3" or under.
Regular: Inside leg approximately 31 inches — works for most women between 5'4" and 5'7".
Long: Inside leg approximately 33 inches — for taller women or those who like a full-length trouser rather than a cropped finish on the trail.

This matters enormously for walking trousers specifically, because a trouser that drags on wet ground, or one that ends mid-shin when it's meant to be full length, is genuinely annoying in practice. Always check whether the length option is available for the specific style you're buying — not all of them come in all three lengths, particularly in the sale or on older styles.

Regatta's Specialist Fit Lines

Over the years Regatta has developed some specific fit categories worth knowing about:

Regatta Women's: Their standard women's fit — the majority of the range sits here. Relaxed but shaped, with a defined waist on most pieces. This is what you'll find across their outdoor essentials.
Regatta Dare 2b: This is their sportier, more performance-focused sub-brand. The fit here is notably more fitted and athletic — think trail running, cycling, yoga. If you're between sizes, this range runs small. Size up one from your usual Regatta size.
Great Outdoors (premium line): Regatta's higher-end pieces with better fabrication and a slightly more tailored cut. These sit closer to true size with a more polished silhouette. Worth looking at if you want the outdoor functionality but care about how it looks on.

What's Worth Buying at Regatta — and My Honest Styling Take

Regatta is excellent value — genuinely so. Their waterproof jackets punch well above their price point in terms of technical performance, and their fleeces are among the best-priced on the high street. But I want to be honest about the aesthetic, because it matters.

The core range is functional first, stylish second. If you're heading up a hill in the rain, this is irrelevant — you want the jacket to keep you dry, full stop. But if you're wearing outdoor pieces as part of an everyday wardrobe — which more and more women are, and which I fully support — then there are choices within the Regatta range that work significantly better than others:

Their softshell jackets are the most versatile pieces they do. The clean lines, stretch fabric, and slightly more fitted cut mean these work just as well in the school run or a casual lunch as they do on a trail. This is where I'd start if you want something dual-purpose.
The Dare 2b leggings and performance trousers are genuinely excellent quality and hold their shape well after washing — which a lot of cheaper activewear doesn't.
Avoid the more heavily branded, logo-heavy pieces if you want something that integrates into a more polished wardrobe. The plainer, more minimal colourways — navy, stone, black, olive — are consistently the most versatile.
Their kids' and women's packable jackets are brilliant for travel — lightweight, compress into a small stuff sack, and genuinely waterproof. The kind of thing that lives in a weekend bag permanently.

Great Alternatives — Whether You Want More Style or More Performance

Regatta is brilliant for what it is, but if you're looking for something with a bit more style, a higher performance ceiling, or simply a different price point, these are my honest picks:

🛍 HIGH STREET & ACCESSIBLE

Seasalt Cornwall — For the person who wants outdoor-functional but genuinely coastal and beautiful. Their waterproof jackets, knitwear, and walking layers are exceptional — and the prints and colourways put Regatta to shame stylistically. True to UK size throughout, with a relaxed, flattering cut.
Fat Face — Brilliant mid-range outdoor and casual clothing with a much more considered aesthetic than straight outdoor brands. Their fleeces, softshells, and walking gear are excellent quality and look great off the hill too. True to UK size.
Joules — For the country and outdoor lifestyle end — particularly their waterproof jackets and wellies. More playful colourways and prints than Regatta, and a slightly more fashion-forward cut. True to UK size, slightly generous.
White Stuff — Beautiful casual and countryside pieces that work brilliantly alongside outdoor essentials. Their jersey layers, easy trousers, and casual knitwear are excellent. True to UK size, slightly generous in fit.
Superdry — For a younger, more urban take on outdoor layering. Their padded jackets and waterproofs have genuine technical credibility and a much more fashion-conscious aesthetic than Regatta. Sizing runs slightly small — size up one.
Lands' End — Massively underrated British-friendly brand for serious outdoor and casual clothing. Their waterproof parkas, fleeces, and walking gear rival performance brands at genuinely competitive prices. True to UK size.
Next — Has significantly improved its outdoor and activewear offer in recent years. Their waterproof jackets and fleece layers are excellent value and far better cut than you might expect. True to UK size.

✨ PREMIUM STEP-UP

Barbour — The natural premium comparison point for anyone who loves Regatta's outdoor ethos but wants a more elevated aesthetic. Their waxed jackets and quilted gilets are British countryside classics, and the quality is outstanding. True to UK size, slightly generous in outerwear.
Sweaty Betty — For the performance and activewear side of what Regatta's Dare 2b line offers, but with significantly better styling. Their running tights, trail leggings, and base layers are among the best in the business. True to UK size, with some styles running slim — check individual guides.

💎 INVESTMENT & DESIGNER

Arc'teryx — The absolute pinnacle of technical outdoor performance. Canadian brand, Gore-Tex construction, and a level of waterproofing and breathability that outdoor enthusiasts genuinely rave about. Runs slim — size up one from your UK size when converted to their sizing.
Herno — Italian luxury outerwear that manages to be genuinely technically impressive and extraordinarily beautiful at the same time. Their padded and quilted coats are serious investment pieces. EU sizing — check their conversion carefully.

🌿 INDEPENDENT PICKS WORTH DISCOVERING

Páramo — A British outdoor brand that I think is one of the most underrated in the entire market. Their Nikwax Analogy waterproofing system is technically different to standard membranes — and many serious outdoor users argue it performs better in prolonged wet conditions. The brand is also committed to ethical production in Colombia. The aesthetic is more rugged than Regatta, but the performance and durability are extraordinary. Sizing is standard UK — true to size, generous through the body for layering.
Trespass — A Scottish outdoor brand that gets far less attention than it deserves at its price point. Their waterproof jackets and walking layers sit right alongside Regatta in terms of value, but the styling is often a touch more considered — particularly in their women's specific cuts. True to UK size, with a slightly more fitted women's silhouette than the standard outdoor market.

TELLAR.CO.UK — THE UK'S LEADING SIZING TOOL

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