What Is Sizing Like at Richard James Menswear?

Richard James runs slim, lean and sharp. It's Savile Row tailoring with a modern edge, so the cut sits close to the body — narrower through the chest and waist than a traditional English house, with a clean, high armhole. Order your true chest size and you'll usually be right, but if you're broad across the shoulders, muscular, or carry any weight through the middle, size up one. It's a fitted brand, not a forgiving one.

How Richard James actually fits

Richard James built its name in the '90s by taking classic Savile Row and giving it a slimmer, bolder, more contemporary silhouette. That DNA runs through everything they make, and it's exactly what you're buying into on fit. Here's what to expect:

Jackets and suits are cut lean through the chest and nipped at the waist. The shoulder is clean and the armhole sits high, which looks fantastic but leaves less room to move — a sign of proper tailoring, not a fault.
Chest sizing follows standard UK measurements (a 40 means a 40" chest), but because the cut is trim, the "wearing ease" is smaller than most high-street suits. If you're between sizes, go up.
Shirts lean slim and are sized by collar (15", 15.5", 16" and so on). If you like a little room, or you're layering under knitwear, the tailored fit can feel snug across the back.
Trousers are a slim, tailored leg with a clean line — flattering, but not the cut for anyone who wants a relaxed drape.

A quick confession: the first Richard James jacket I ever tried, I grabbed my usual 40 off the rail feeling smug, and couldn't get the button to sit flat. Not because the label was wrong — because I'd forgotten how honest their cut is. I went to a 42, had the sleeves shortened half an inch, and it's still one of the sharpest things I own. The lesson stuck: with a slim British house, trust the mirror over your ego.

My tip before you buy

Measure your chest properly, under the arms and across the fullest point, with a tape you keep level. Then be honest about your shape. Richard James rewards a lean, athletic frame beautifully — if that's you, buy your size and enjoy it. If you're built like a rugby second row, size up and let a good tailor take in the waist. Tailoring a slightly-too-big jacket is easy; letting out one that's too tight rarely ends well.

Brands with a similar cut — and where to shop by budget

If you love the Richard James look but want options across price points, these are the houses I steer clients toward. I've matched each to how it fits relative to Richard James.

High street

Reiss — the closest high-street cousin to that sharp British silhouette. Slim, modern tailoring with a clean shoulder, so the fit translates almost directly. Best value gateway into the Richard James look.
Charles Tyrwhitt — brilliant for shirts, and crucially they offer several fits (Slim, Classic, Extra Slim) so you can dial in the collar and body properly rather than guessing. A safe, well-priced way to nail the shirt element.

Independent & boutique

Private White V.C. — Manchester-made, considered British tailoring with a slightly roomier, more relaxed cut than Richard James. Ideal if you want the craftsmanship but a touch more comfort through the body.
Drake's — soft-shouldered London tailoring and superb accessories. The jackets run a little fuller and more classic, so this is the one to reach for if Richard James feels too tight.
Oliver Spencer — relaxed British tailoring with an artsy edge. Cut more generously, so size down from your Richard James number if you like a trimmer line.

Designer & luxury

Paul Smith — the natural neighbour to Richard James: British, colourful, slim. The tailored fits run very close to the body, so the sizing logic (buy true, size up if broad) carries straight over.
Ozwald Boateng — Savile Row's master of bold, lean tailoring. If it's the colour and the sharp line you fell for at Richard James, this is your other Row house. Expect an equally fitted cut.
Tom Ford — the top of the tree. A stronger shoulder and a sculpted waist, cut for impact. Try before you buy — the fit is deliberately dramatic and sizing runs its own way.

Stop guessing your size — match your body to 1,500+ brands

Richard James, Reiss, Paul Smith and 1,500 more: Tellar is the UK's leading real-time sizing tool. Measure once and we'll match your body to your exact size in any brand — so you never squint at a size guide again. Honest, unbiased and always free.

Measure once using your chest, waist, hips or an existing brand size, then let our Store Size Lookup do the rest. No downloads, works straight in your browser — fewer returns, better-fitting buys.

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