What Is Sizing Like at True Religion? A Stylist's Honest Fit Guide

True Religion runs roughly true to size on the waist, but the honest answer is "it depends on the cut and the fabric." Their denim is sized in waist inches (28 to 44 for most men's styles), and the brand themselves admit fits vary by style. The older, heavier rigid denim tended to run a touch generous through the seat — which is why so many of us learned to size down. The newer stretch styles have far more give, so for those, your true waist is usually bang on.

Here's the rule I give every client: buy for the waist, then judge the cut by its name, not the number.

Decode the fit names first (this is where people go wrong)

True Religion names its fits, and that name tells you everything about how it'll sit. Get this right and the sizing sorts itself out:

Ricky — the relaxed straight. Roomy through the seat and thigh, consistent leg. If you've got bigger legs or just want comfort, this is your friend. Tends to wear the most generous, so I size to my true waist or even down half if it's rigid denim.
Geno — the slim fit. Closer through hip and thigh with a gentle taper. True to size for most. Size up only if you're between waists or carry muscle in the thigh.
Rocco — the skinny. Tight from hip to ankle. Stretch fabric here, so it'll mould — go true to size and let it settle, don't panic-size-up.
Billy — the bootcut. Snug to the knee then a slight flare at the calf. Honest to your waist size.
Bobby & the baggy/cargo styles — the big news right now. Deliberately oversized, so order your true waist and let the cut do the slouching. Don't size up on top of an already-baggy fit or you'll drown.

Should you size up or size down?

Rigid / non-stretch denim: consider sizing down one if you're between sizes — it'll loosen with wear.
Stretch denim: stay true to size. It gives at the waist after an hour on and you don't want a gaping back.
Skinny & slim cuts: true to size, trust the stretch.
Baggy & relaxed cuts: true to size — the volume is built in.
Tops & tees: their jersey runs fairly close and a little short in the body, so size up if you like length or layering.

And always check the leg length. True Religion's stacked and longer inseams are part of the look — gorgeous if intentional, a puddle round your trainers if not. I once let a groom wear an unhemmed pair under a suit. Never again.

What's actually worth buying right now

The pendulum has swung hard away from skinny. Wider, baggier and cargo-influenced denim is where the energy is, and True Religion's signature stitch reads brilliantly on a roomier leg. If you're new to the brand, I'd start with a Ricky or a Bobby in a mid-to-dark wash — versatile, flattering, and the stitch does the talking. Style it simply: a clean tee or knit on top, chunky trainers or a Chelsea boot, and let the jeans be the statement.

Best denim brands to know (across every budget)

True Religion sits in that premium statement-denim lane, but it isn't the only game in town. Here's who else I'd put in your rotation, and why:

High street

Levi's — the benchmark for honest, repeatable sizing. The 568 and 550 relaxed fits scratch the same itch as a Ricky for a fraction of the price.
AllSaints — proper grown-up denim with a slightly fashion-forward cut and excellent washes. Their slim and straight fits are dependable.
River Island — surprisingly strong on the baggy and loose-fit trend right now, and easy on the wallet for experimenting with a wider leg.

Independent & boutique

Hiut Denim Co — made in Cardigan, Wales, in small runs by people who do nothing but jeans. Beautiful raw denim that ages to your body.
Blackhorse Lane Ateliers — East London, organic raw selvedge, free lifetime repairs. The thinking man's True Religion.
Nudie Jeans — Swedish, sustainability-led, and they'll repair your jeans for free for life. Cracking range of fits from skinny to relaxed.
Edwin — Japanese-rooted, with that quietly perfect taper and superb fabric for the money.

Designer & luxury

Amiri — if you love the distressed, rock-and-roll edge of True Religion but want full luxury, this is the natural step up.
Purple Brand — premium denim with bold washes and a confident, statement aesthetic; a true spiritual cousin to TR.
Diesel — back at the cutting edge of treated, coated and destroyed denim, with a fashion credibility few can match.

My honest take: buy your loud, stitched statement pair from True Religion or Purple, and your everyday workhorse from Levi's or a UK independent. That combination covers ninety per cent of what most men actually wear.

Stop guessing your size — let Tellar do it for you

Sizing tables are a nightmare, and every brand uses different ones. Tellar.co.uk is the UK's leading sizing tool — it matches your body to over 1,500 brands instantly, so you never have to squint at a size guide again. Honest, unbiased, and always free.

Measure once using your waist, chest, hip — or just your size in a brand you already own.
Use the Store Size Lookup to get your exact size in True Religion, Levi's, AllSaints, Reiss, Diesel and more.
Shop with confidence — no guesswork, fewer returns, better-fitting jeans.
Works in your browser. No downloads, no sign-up faff, always free.

Find My True Religion Size How to Measure

There's also the Tellar Fashion Hub — a library of free posts from our stylists covering every fashion question going. Honest. Unbiased. Independent. Always free. Real style advice, top picks and the best brands, with nothing sponsoring our opinions.

The bottom line

True Religion is true to size on the waist, but the fit name is what really decides how a pair sits — so learn your Ricky from your Rocco before you order. Account for the fabric (stretch versus rigid), watch the leg length, and you'll get it right first time. And if you'd rather not gamble, run your measurements through Tellar and have it tell you exactly which size to click. Your future self, and your returns pile, will thank you.

More from the Tellar Fashion Hub

Menswear: The Secret to Smart-Casual Comfort →The Best Men's Jeans Brands: High Street, Premium & Designer →How to Do Casual Style Well: Menswear Brands & Styling Tips →