What Is Sizing Like at Rip Curl? A Women's Honest Fit Guide

SIZING GUIDE · SURF & COASTAL

BY ELLA BLAKE — SENIOR FASHION STYLIST & FOUNDER | TELLAR · ALWAYS HONEST, UNBIASED & UNSPONSORED

Rip Curl women's sizing runs slightly smaller than standard UK sizing across clothing and swimwear, so as a general rule you'll want to size up one — especially if you're between sizes or carry more volume at the bust or hips.

I'll be honest — I came to Rip Curl late. For years it felt like a brand I needed a surfboard to justify wearing. But after a trip to Cornwall and an ill-fated attempt to squeeze into my usual size in their wetsuit (lesson absolutely learned), I've come to genuinely love what they do. It just takes a little know-how to get the fit right.

The Rip Curl Brand Backstory (And Why It Affects Sizing)

Rip Curl was founded in 1969 in Torquay, Australia — and that Australian heritage matters when it comes to sizing. Their original size architecture follows AUS/US conventions, which tend to run a touch narrower and shorter through the body than UK sizing expects. It's not a dramatic difference, but it's consistent enough that you'll notice it across categories.

The brand now spans everything from technical performance wetsuits and boardshorts to beach dresses, knitwear, and casual tees. Each of those categories fits a little differently, which is why I've broken this down by product type below.

Rip Curl Clothing: Tops, Dresses & Knitwear

Across casual clothing — think beach dresses, hoodies, graphic tees, and fleeces — Rip Curl sits between true to size and one size small. If you're a standard UK 10–12, you'll likely find yourself reaching for a 12 or 14, particularly in anything with a defined waist or structured cut. Their women's tees and sweatshirts tend to have narrower shoulders than UK high street equivalents, so if you're broader across the back or have a fuller bust, go up without hesitation.

Relaxed-fit styles (oversized hoodies, boxy tees) generally behave closer to UK standard sizing
Anything with a "fitted" descriptor will come up small — size up at least one
Dresses tend to be cut for a more athletic, narrower frame — especially through the hips
Knitwear and fleeces have a generous cut and tend to fit more true to size

Stylist tip: If your measurements fall between two sizes in Rip Curl clothing, always go with the larger one. Neoprene and stretch fabric can handle a little room — gaping seams and a too-tight shoulder cannot.

Rip Curl Swimwear: Bikinis & One-Pieces

This is where I've seen the most confusion — and where I've had the most "oh no" moments in changing rooms (and one memorable online return). Rip Curl swimwear runs noticeably small. The cups in bikini tops are cut for a more petite bust, and the bottoms sit higher on the hip than many UK women expect.

Bikini tops: size up one, especially if you're a C cup or above
Bikini bottoms: true to size if you're slim-hipped; size up if curvier through the thigh and seat
One-pieces: can run short through the body — if you're over 5'6" and have a longer torso, check carefully before buying
Adjustable tie styles give you a bit more wiggle room and are a good bet if you're between sizes

Rip Curl Wetsuits: A Completely Different Beast

Right — wetsuits are a separate universe entirely and should never be sized like clothing. Rip Curl women's wetsuits are cut specifically for the female form, with consideration for bust, hips, and narrower shoulders. They tend to have a longer torso and leg length compared to other brands, which is great news if you're tall — they even offer tall variants (6T, 8T, 10T) if you're long through the body.

The general rule: a well-fitting wetsuit should feel snug like a second skin. You should be able to take a full deep breath and raise both arms overhead without restriction — if you can't, it's too small. If there's pooling or excess neoprene anywhere, it's too big and you'll lose warmth fast.

Sizing is based on height, chest, and weight — not your clothing size
Customer feedback consistently notes that Rip Curl wetsuits feel small — if you're between sizes, go up
Rip Curl's neoprene does soften and conform to your shape over a few sessions, so snug is correct
Prioritise chest fit and height above all else — a loose neck seal lets in cold water and defeats the purpose entirely

My Cornwall disaster in brief: I bought my usual wetsuit size online, couldn't get it past my hips, spent 20 minutes wrestling with it in a cold car park, and finally accepted defeat. Ordered a size up. Surfed magnificently. Size up. Always.

High Street Alternatives to Rip Curl

If Rip Curl's sizing or price point doesn't work for you, there's plenty of brilliant coastal and surf-adjacent womenswear on the high street. Here's where I'd genuinely point my clients:

Seasalt Cornwall — The gold standard for relaxed coastal dressing in the UK. Sizing is generous and consistent, the fabrics are lovely, and their swimwear is made to actually stay on in the sea.
Fat Face — Great for casual beach layers, hoodies and lightweight summer dresses. Fits true to UK size with a pleasantly relaxed cut.
Superdry — A natural Rip Curl alternative for sporty casual styles. The women's range has improved enormously; sizing is fairly true to UK, though check individual items.
White Stuff — Brilliant for beach-going separates, linen trousers and easy dresses that don't feel try-hard. Fits generously — a UK 10 really is a 10.
Hollister — Worth knowing for beach tees, casual shorts and surf-casual dressing at a lower price point. Runs US-small, so size up one or two.
Joules — Especially good for swimwear and beach cover-ups with proper coverage. Sizing is consistent and reliable across the range.
Urban Outfitters — Solid for the surf-casual aesthetic — vintage-inspired tees, board shorts, easy summer dresses. Sizing varies by brand within the store, so check each item.
Abercrombie & Fitch — Their womenswear has come on leaps and bounds. Casual beach-ready styles, decent swimwear, and their sizing has become notably more inclusive and true-to-life.

Premium Alternatives

Finisterre — A Cornwall-born brand built entirely around cold-water surf and outdoor life. Their women's range is beautifully made, thoughtfully sized, and runs true to UK. Their wetsuits and swimwear are genuinely excellent for British conditions — warmth and fit considered equally. If you care about sustainability, this is the brand.

Patagonia — American outdoor-surf heritage with a serious commitment to performance and ethics. Women's sizing is generous and consistent; their wetsuits are rated among the warmest in the water. Sized in US, but their size guide is thorough and reliable.

Luxury & Designer

Solid & Striped — The darling of fashion editors for swimwear. American brand, cuts are sleek and considered, and their one-pieces in particular fit beautifully if you're longer through the body. Runs US sizing — size up.

Melissa Odabash — Resort swimwear at its finest. The cut, the fabric quality, the coverage — it's all considered. Runs small across the range, so check the size guide closely and measure rather than guess.

Independent Brands Worth Knowing

Ohana Surf Project — A brilliant, under-the-radar UK surf brand with a strong women's range. Ethical production, flattering cuts for real bodies, and sizing that's refreshingly honest about who they're designing for. Not your average mass-market surf brand.

Sian Swimwear — A Welsh independent making sustainable swimwear that actually fits. Their sizing is inclusive and their bikini tops come in separate cup sizes — genuinely a game-changer if you've ever struggled to find a top that fits your bust and waist simultaneously.

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