Does the Brand Ballantyne Run Big or Small on Clothes Sizing?

Ballantyne is one of Scotland’s most historic and prestigious knitwear brands, synonymous with ultra-fine cashmere, refined tailoring, and diamond-patterned heritage design. Worn by icons from Grace Kelly to modern tastemakers, the brand’s reputation for craftsmanship is undisputed — but its sizing? A little less straightforward.

So, how does Ballantyne actually fit? Do their garments run big, small, or true to size? And what should you know before investing in a luxury knit or tailored piece?

In this guide, we’ll explain Ballantyne’s approach to sizing across men’s and women’s collections and show you how Tellar.co.uk helps you find your exact size in seconds across Ballantyne and 1,500+ global fashion brands — completely free.

A Quick Overview: What Makes Ballantyne Unique?

Founded in 1921 in the Scottish Borders, Ballantyne Cashmere has been celebrated for:

Ultra-fine fibre grading
Hand-finishing techniques
Precision Italian tailoring
A signature “Argyle diamond” motif

Today, the brand operates out of Italy and blends traditional British knitwear heritage with a refined, tailored aesthetic. That tailoring-first mentality means sizing precision is essential — especially for cashmere, which doesn’t stretch like synthetic knits.

Ballantyne’s Sizing System Explained

Ballantyne collections typically follow European sizing conventions for both men and women.

Women’s sizes: EU 34–46 (UK 6–18)
Men’s sizes: EU 46–58 (UK 36–48 chest)

Some knitwear and outerwear styles use dual sizing (S–XL), but tailored garments often use numeric sizing based on exact measurements — particularly in coats, cardigans, and trousers.

Does Ballantyne Run Big or Small?

Based on verified customer feedback, returns data, and garment measurements from UK retailers and Ballantyne’s Italian sizing charts, here’s the breakdown:

Garment Type	Fit Verdict	Comments
Cashmere Knitwear	True to size	Classic fit with natural drape; choose your normal size
Tailored Blazers	Runs small	Fitted through shoulders and bust; size up if in-between
Lightweight Cardigans	Slightly small	Slim sleeves, close fit — size up for looser feel
Trousers & Skirts	True to size	Accurate waist and hip proportions
Oversized Pullovers	Intentionally large	Designed for relaxed silhouette, not a size issue

Fabric Impact on Fit

Ballantyne is known for using:

Pure Scottish or Italian cashmere
Fine virgin wool
Linen and silk blends

These materials are non-stretch and tend to mould slightly with wear, but they won’t accommodate large fit discrepancies. This makes initial sizing accuracy critical, especially for:

High-gauge cashmere (very fine knits, e.g. 14gg)
Structured woven trousers or jackets
Slim armholes and fitted sleeves

Gender-Based Sizing Differences

Women’s Collection:

Blouses & Knits: True to size, but some cardigans fit close to the body
Outerwear: Structured and narrow at shoulders — size up if broad-chested
Dresses: Cut with European proportions (narrow waist, straight hips)

Men’s Collection:

Jumpers & Pullovers: Relaxed European fit — not oversized, not boxy
Shirts: Classic tailoring; consistent EU sizing
Coats: Slim shoulder line; consider layering room

Ballantyne Sizing Conversion Charts

Women’s Clothing

EU Size	UK Size	US Size	Bust (cm)	Waist (cm)	Hips (cm)
34	UK 6	US 2	82–84	62–64	86–88
36	UK 8	US 4	85–87	65–67	89–91
38	UK 10	US 6	88–90	68–70	92–94
40	UK 12	US 8	91–94	71–74	95–98
42	UK 14	US 10	95–98	75–78	99–102
44	UK 16	US 12	99–102	79–82	103–106
46	UK 18	US 14	103–106	83–86	107–110

Men’s Knitwear

EU Size	UK Size (chest)	US Size	Chest (cm)
46	UK 36	XS–S	90–92
48	UK 38	S	93–96
50	UK 40	M	97–100
52	UK 42	L	101–104
54	UK 44	XL	105–108
56	UK 46	XXL	109–112
58	UK 48	3XL	113–116

Why You Should Never Guess When Buying Ballantyne

Luxury knitwear is a long-term investment — and incorrect sizing can:

Cause fabric strain (especially at seams)
Diminish drape and silhouette
Lead to costly return shipping (especially from EU stockists)

Ballantyne garments are not vanity-sized, and the structured nature of many pieces means your fit depends entirely on knowing your bust, waist, and hip measurements.

Tellar.co.uk: The Smart Way to Size for Ballantyne

Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s most advanced free sizing tool, helping shoppers find the correct fit across more than 1,500 brands — including Ballantyne — using real body measurements.

How it Works:

Input your measurements (bust, waist, hips)
Instantly get matched to your correct Ballantyne size
See garment-specific advice (e.g. “this knit fits slim; size up”)
Save your profile for future purchases

📏 Create your size profile in 60 seconds

🎁 Free measuring tape included

Why Use Tellar for Ballantyne?

✅ Get accurate size advice based on your body, not a model’s
✅ Avoid guesswork for close-fitting cashmere
✅ Match sizing across both UK and EU sizing systems
✅ Save your fit profile to reuse across 1,500+ brands
✅ It’s completely free, with no login required

Fit Scenario Example: Ballantyne Knitwear

Imagine your measurements are:

Bust: 94cm
Waist: 76cm
Hips: 100cm

You're buying a Ballantyne Women’s High-Neck Cashmere Pullover in EU 40 (UK 12).

Tellar says:

“This knit runs slim across the chest and sleeves. Recommended: EU 42 (UK 14) for optimal comfort and layering room.”

Final Verdict: Does Ballantyne Run Big or Small?

Garment Type	Sizing Verdict	Recommendation
Fine-Gauge Cashmere	True to size	Take your regular size
Tailored Blazers	Runs small	Size up if broad in shoulders or bust
Lightweight Cardigans	Slightly small	Size up for relaxed or layered fit
Trousers & Skirts	True to size	Use accurate waist/hip measurement
Oversized Pullovers	Intentionally large	Buy usual size unless between sizes

Call to Action

Before purchasing your next Ballantyne classic, check your fit first.

🧶 Match your measurements to exact Ballantyne sizes
🧵 Works for men’s and women’s knitwear, tailoring, and coats
✅ Completely free
🎁 Includes a free measuring tape

➡️ Find your Ballantyne size now

Follow Tellar.co.uk on Socials

Instagram: @Tellarsizing
Pinterest: TellarSizing
Facebook: TellarSizing
Twitter (X): @Tellar100

Final Word

Ballantyne’s legacy is built on fine tailoring, luxurious cashmere, and a precise silhouette. Make sure your size reflects that craftsmanship by using Tellar.co.uk — the UK’s most reliable fit-matching tool.

It only takes a minute. The right fit lasts for years.