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:
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Ultra-fine fibre grading
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Hand-finishing techniques
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Precision Italian tailoring
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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.
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Women’s sizes: EU 34–46 (UK 6–18)
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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:
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Pure Scottish or Italian cashmere
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Fine virgin wool
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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:
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High-gauge cashmere (very fine knits, e.g. 14gg)
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Structured woven trousers or jackets
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Slim armholes and fitted sleeves
Gender-Based Sizing Differences
Women’s Collection:
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Blouses & Knits: True to size, but some cardigans fit close to the body
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Outerwear: Structured and narrow at shoulders — size up if broad-chested
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Dresses: Cut with European proportions (narrow waist, straight hips)
Men’s Collection:
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Jumpers & Pullovers: Relaxed European fit — not oversized, not boxy
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Shirts: Classic tailoring; consistent EU sizing
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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:
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Cause fabric strain (especially at seams)
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Diminish drape and silhouette
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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:
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Input your measurements (bust, waist, hips)
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Instantly get matched to your correct Ballantyne size
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See garment-specific advice (e.g. “this knit fits slim; size up”)
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Save your profile for future purchases
📏 Create your size profile in 60 seconds
🎁 Free measuring tape included
Why Use Tellar for Ballantyne?
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✅ Get accurate size advice based on your body, not a model’s
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✅ Avoid guesswork for close-fitting cashmere
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✅ Match sizing across both UK and EU sizing systems
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✅ Save your fit profile to reuse across 1,500+ brands
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✅ It’s completely free, with no login required
Fit Scenario Example: Ballantyne Knitwear
Imagine your measurements are:
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Bust: 94cm
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Waist: 76cm
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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.”
Related Blog Posts on Tellar.co.uk
Read more on the Tellar Blog.
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.
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🧶 Match your measurements to exact Ballantyne sizes
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🧵 Works for men’s and women’s knitwear, tailoring, and coats
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✅ Completely free
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🎁 Includes a free measuring tape
➡️ Find your Ballantyne size now
Follow Tellar.co.uk on Socials
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Instagram: @Tellarsizing
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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.