Belstaff Sizing
Belstaff uses Italian sizing — which runs smaller than UK sizing. Getting the right size in a Belstaff jacket requires understanding how Italian sizes map to UK chest measurements, what the brand's fit style means for your frame, and how much room you want for layering underneath.
This guide covers everything you need to size a Belstaff jacket correctly before you buy.
1 | Italian vs UK Sizing
Belstaff is a British-heritage brand but uses Italian sizing conventions across its range. Italian sizing runs approximately one to two sizes smaller than UK sizing. This surprises many customers who assume that a brand with British roots would use British sizing.
The practical implication: if you normally wear a UK medium in outerwear, you will almost certainly need a Belstaff Large. A UK large typically becomes a Belstaff XL. This is not universally true — individual garments vary — but it is the starting point for most customers.
The Key Rule
- Belstaff uses Italian sizing — go up one size from your normal UK size as a starting point
- A slim or athletic build may stay at the same size — try both and compare
- If between sizes, size up — wax cotton does not stretch and you need room to move
- If you plan to layer a thick jumper underneath, size up by one additional size
2 | Size Conversion Table
This table shows Belstaff jacket sizes against UK chest measurements and approximate UK clothing sizes. Use your chest measurement as the primary guide — size labels differ across brands.
| Belstaff Size | Chest (inches) | Chest (cm) | UK Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 34–35" | 86–89 cm | UK XS / 6–8 |
| S | 36–37" | 91–94 cm | UK S / 8–10 |
| M | 38–39" | 96–99 cm | UK S–M / 10–12 |
| L | 40–41" | 101–104 cm | UK M / 12–14 |
| XL | 42–43" | 106–109 cm | UK L / 14–16 |
| 2XL | 44–45" | 111–114 cm | UK XL / 16–18 |
| 3XL | 46–47" | 116–119 cm | UK 2XL / 18–20 |
Important Note
Belstaff's size guide is a starting point, not a guarantee. Different models — the Trialmaster, Brooklands, and Racemaster — have different cut profiles that affect how a given size fits. Model-specific notes are in section 6 below.
3 | How to Measure Yourself
Accurate chest and waist measurements are the foundation of getting the right Belstaff size. Take measurements over a thin base layer — not over another jacket — to get a useful reading.
Chest Measurement
Wrap a measuring tape around the fullest part of your chest, keeping the tape horizontal and parallel to the ground. Keep the tape snug but not tight — you should be able to breathe normally. Take the measurement in centimetres and inches.
Waist Measurement
Measure around your natural waist — the narrowest point of your torso, typically around 2–3 inches above your hip bone. Belstaff jackets are cut with a defined waist, and this measurement helps confirm you are not borderline between a chest-led size and a waist-led size.
Sleeve Length
Measure from the centre back of your neck, over your shoulder, and down to the wrist bone. This is a less critical measurement for Belstaff than chest — most models do not offer sleeve length variations within a given size — but it is useful context for understanding how a jacket will sit on your frame.
Measuring Tips
- Use a fabric measuring tape, not a steel rule
- Measure yourself over a T-shirt, not a jacket or thick jumper
- Have someone assist if possible — self-measurement around the chest is less accurate
- Take both inches and centimetres — Belstaff size charts reference both
4 | Slim Fit vs Regular Fit
Belstaff jackets are predominantly cut in what the brand describes as a "regular" or "relaxed" fit — but by Italian standards. This means the jacket is more fitted through the chest and waist than a traditional British country jacket (Barbour, for example), but it is not as tight as a slim-fit contemporary tailored jacket.
Standard Belstaff Cut
Shaped through the chest and waist with a suppressed silhouette. The jacket follows the body without being tight. Shoulder seam sits precisely at the shoulder point. Chest has room for a mid-weight layer (shirt and thin jumper) without constraint.
Who It Suits
Medium to athletic build. If you have a broad chest or carry weight through the stomach, the Italian cut may require sizing up by one size beyond the standard UK-to-Italian conversion. The jacket does not have a generous allowance for varied body shapes below the chest.
If you are between sizes on chest measurement, size up. Wax cotton does not stretch and a slightly larger jacket will still look correct — a jacket that is too tight across the chest will pull at the seams and look wrong regardless of how good the jacket is.
5 | Layering Allowance
Belstaff jackets are not designed as insulated outerwear — most heritage wax cotton models rely on layering for warmth. Understanding how much layering space the jacket provides at each size is important for year-round use.
| Layer Underneath | Sizing Approach |
|---|---|
| T-shirt only (spring/summer) | Standard Italian sizing — size up one from UK |
| Shirt + thin jumper | Standard Italian sizing — most models accommodate this comfortably |
| Chunky knit or fleece | Size up one additional size from your standard Italian conversion |
| Technical base layer + mid-layer | Standard Italian sizing — technical layers are thin and Belstaff accommodates them well |
Winter Layering Rule
If you want to wear your Belstaff jacket through autumn and winter with a heavy knit underneath, go up two sizes from your normal UK size. One size for the Italian conversion, one additional size for the layering allowance. You will not lose the jacket's silhouette — wax cotton holds its shape regardless of size.
6 | Model-Specific Notes
Trialmaster
Belstaff's most iconic model. The Trialmaster has a distinctive cut with a defined waist and close-fitting torso. It runs true to Belstaff's standard Italian sizing but the waist suppression means customers with a larger waist relative to their chest should size up. The asymmetric front zip creates a slight visual difference on the left and right — this is intentional and a heritage feature of the model.
Brooklands
Named after the famous British racing circuit, the Brooklands has a slightly more relaxed cut than the Trialmaster through the body, with a more traditional jacket silhouette. The shoulder shaping is generous. Customers who find the Trialmaster too close-fitting through the waist often prefer the Brooklands at the same size.
Racemaster
The Racemaster is a more contemporary model with a slimmer cut than either the Trialmaster or Brooklands. It is closer in profile to a current fashion jacket. The slim cut means customers on the broader side of a size should size up — the Racemaster has less tolerance for borderline measurements than the heritage models.
Model Fit Summary
- Trialmaster: Standard Belstaff Italian sizing — defined waist, may size up if waist is broad relative to chest
- Brooklands: Slightly more relaxed — easiest model to size and the most forgiving
- Racemaster: Slimmer contemporary cut — size up if borderline or broad-shouldered
Shop Belstaff at OD's
Every piece below is in stock at OD's Designer Clothing — authorised UK stockist.
