It’s no stretch to say that Patagonia changed the world of fashion for the better. Founded in 1973 by Yvon Chouinard, the American brand has long championed sustainable production and rooted for a greener, more eco-friendly way of making clothes.
As such it’s among the frontrunners of the sustainable clothing movement, loved as much for its brave stance on political and social issues as it is for its classic fleece jackets. Speaking of which, Patagonia helped invent fleece, so the current popularity for the outdoors-friendly fabric can be largely attributed to the brand.
Patagonia today is known for much more than just fleece garments though. Its wide range of outerwear spans parkas and lightweight jackets while its pants, shorts and range of tops are as popular as they’ve ever been.
Then there’s the padded vests. You’d struggle to walk through any city in the world and not see at least a few navy Patagonia gilets sported in its financial or tech districts.
But how do Patagonia clothes fit? Here’s everything you need to know.
Does Patagonia run small or big?
Patagonia isn’t known for its directional cuts and fashion-forward fits. For the most part, the brand produces clothing in regular cuts, with the occasional slim fit thrown in for good measure.
The majority of its pieces, from its gilets to its quarter zips, are designed for comfort, meaning simple, regular fits are the order of the day.
You won’t find anything too skinny or too boxy in its range, and thanks to its handy product descriptions and fit pics online, it’s relatively easy to find the right size for you.
The brand always clearly labels the fit of the garment, while its photos always state the model’s height and the size they are wearing.
Does Patagonia fit true to size?
In short, yes, Patagonia does fit true to size. Its fits do range slightly from regular to slim, but rarely are its garments too slim or too loose.
The brand sits in the perfect middle ground, meaning that 9 times out of 10, you can go for your regular size. There might be times when you intend to wear a Patagonia piece as part of a layered look, so you might want to size up or down accordingly.
But for most people, we’d recommend taking your normal size.
Patagonia fit guide
There are four distinct types of fits you’ll find across the board with Patagonia, which will be clearly labelled on the products:
- Formfitting: Conforms to the body’s contours.
- Slim Fit: Closer-fitting. Slim-fitting technical garments may be worn over baselayers and light midlayers.
- Regular Fit: Neither slim nor oversized. Regular-fitting technical garments may be worn over heavier midlayers.
- Relaxed Fit: Drapes loosely on the body.
How to measure for Patagonia clothing
If you want to compare your own measurements to Patagonia’s product guidelines, then here are the key figures you’ll need:
- Waist: Measure around waist at the smallest circumference.
- Hips: Stand, feet together, and measure around the largest circumference at hips.
- Arm Length: With elbow bent, measure from the center (back) of neck to elbow and down to wrist.
- Chest: Measure around your chest, just under armpit.
Patagonia insulated jackets size chart
Patagonia is well regarded for its insulated jackets, which helped move the industry away from using down as a fill. But they’re also loved for their easy fits and versatile colourways.
Patagonia jacket usually come in a regular fit, making them comfortable for wearing over tees, sweats and knits. They’re neither too boxy, nor too restricting.
Stick with your regular size and you can’t go wrong here.
Patagonia zip-up jackets and raincoats size chart
It’s a similar story with the brand’s zip-up jackets and raincoats. These usually come in the form of short, Harrington-style jackets or slightly longer, hooded pieces, and they all tend to boast regular cuts.
You can of course choose to size up here, especially if you’re looking for a lightweight jacket you can layer effectively over chunky knitwear in the cooler months.
Patagonia vests/gilets size chart
Designed for warmth and comfort, Patagonia’s gilets are cut in regular fits, making them comfortable for wearing over base layers, shirts or merino knitwear.
As such, it’s worth sticking with your regular size here, as sizing down might make them too slim and difficult to zip up.
Patagonia fleece jackets size chart
Arguably Patagonia’s most iconic garment, its fleece jackets are beloved for their soft fabric, but also their comfortable fit.
They’re cut regular, with room to layer underneath, yet they’re not too baggy, hitting the perfect middle ground between flattering and cosy.
Stick with your usual size and look to layer over a tee or sweatshirt.
Patagonia T-shirts and polo shirts size charts
An ideal entry point to the brand, Patagonia’s T-shirts and polos are incredibly easy to wear. This is partly thanks to their soft recycled fabrics but also their cut, which is flattering for most body shapes.
They’re almost always regular fit, so keep your standard size and look to team with the brand’s functional cargo pants or shorts.
Patagonia hoodies and sweatshirts size charts
It’s hard to go wrong with a Patagonia sweat. Its crew necks and hoodies are all remarkably easy to wear thanks to their simple, regular fits.
Usually cut from recycled cotton, they boast enough room to layer, while remaining flattering for most body types.
Stick with your usual size and you’ll have a piece you can wear for years to come. They only get better with age.
Patagonia shirts size chart
Patagonia might not be well known for its shirts, but if you’re looking for a staple casual piece, it’s a great place to start.
Its shirts are nearly always cut in a regular fit for ease and comfort, making them ideal for layering over a simple tee and jeans combo throughout spring and beyond.
Patagonia pants and shorts size charts
Depending on the style of pants or shorts, you may find a variation of fits in this category. But for the most part, the brand’s pants and shorts are cut in regular straight fits. This makes them comfortable and easy to wear for most people.
Stick to your usual waist size and you’ll be on the right track.