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Barrie is one of Scotland’s most prestigious knitwear manufacturers, renowned for its cashmere craftsmanship, refined silhouettes, and affiliation with luxury maisons like Chanel. But with the rise in direct-to-consumer collections, many shoppers are asking:

Does Barrie run big or small on clothes sizing?

The answer: Barrie typically runs true to size, but many of its pieces are intentionally cut for a relaxed or draped silhouette. Due to the nature of luxury knitwear and the presence of oversized designs, sizing accuracy depends heavily on the type of garment and your desired fit.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the fit of Barrie knitwear across categories, compare its sizing to similar luxury brands, and show you how Tellar.co.uk can match your exact body measurements to your ideal Barrie size — all in under 60 seconds.

About Barrie: Heritage Meets Haute Knitwear

Barrie was established in Hawick, Scotland, over 100 years ago and became known globally for its premium cashmere craftsmanship. Acquired by Chanel in 2012, Barrie now blends traditional Scottish manufacturing with contemporary French design across its own-label collections.

Signature features include:

  • 100% Scottish-spun cashmere

  • Modern silhouettes with artistic flair

  • Sustainable luxury through local production

  • Garments made in the same mill as Chanel’s knitwear

While the quality is consistent, the sizing experience varies depending on the collection, garment construction, and knit density.

Barrie Sizing Overview: Knitwear-Specific Fit Logic

Barrie doesn’t follow fast fashion sizing rules. Instead, their garments reflect the drape and behaviour of premium fibres, especially cashmere — meaning that some pieces will appear oversized by design.

UK Size Barrie Size Fit Description
6–8 XS Close fit or slim-cut pieces
8–10 S True to size in crewnecks & cardigans
10–12 M Relaxed fit in standard jumpers
12–14 L Best for layering or oversized styles
14–16 XL Still drapes elegantly, not bulky

What Barrie Pieces Tend to Run Big?

While Barrie doesn’t run “large” in the traditional sense, certain styles are designed for a looser, more sculptural silhouette.

1. Oversized Knit Jumpers & Sculptural Sweaters

Some seasonal pieces are shaped intentionally with:

  • Dropped shoulders

  • Batwing or lantern sleeves

  • Elongated hems and cuffs

These can feel oversized on smaller frames. If you prefer a fitted look, consider sizing down.

2. Cocoon-Style Cardigans

Barrie’s cardigans often drape away from the body — think shawl collars, wide sleeves, and deep pockets. If you’re petite, you may prefer a size smaller to maintain proportion.

What Barrie Pieces Fit True to Size?

  • Fitted crewneck jumpers

  • Cropped knit jackets or blazers

  • Slimline skirts and trousers

These are cut closer to the body and offer a true UK fit, typically aligning with standard premium sizing in brands like Margaret Howell or Joseph.

What Might Run Small?

Occasionally, structured knit trousers with ribbed waists or high-stretch fibres may feel more snug across the hips or thighs than expected. Always check for fabric composition and waistband construction.

Customer Feedback on Barrie Sizing

Shoppers across MatchesFashion, Net-a-Porter, and direct clients report the following:

“The quality is second to none — I took my usual size and it fits with a relaxed drape.”
“Beautiful cardigan, but a little oversized for me — I sized down and preferred the slimmer silhouette.”
“Knit trousers ran a little tight across the thighs — definitely size up if in doubt.”
“Pricey but timeless — fits like a luxury knit should.”

In general, Barrie sizing follows the logic of the garment design, not rigid measurement charts.

Barrie vs Other Luxury Knitwear Brands

Brand Compared Fit to Barrie
The Row Similar sculptural sizing ethos
Loro Piana More traditional Italian cut
Chinti & Parker Barrie is more refined and tailored
COS Barrie fits slightly more true-to-size
Margaret Howell Comparable in cut and ease

Barrie offers more refined tailoring than Chinti & Parker, but less rigidity than brands like Loro Piana or Max Mara.

Why Luxury Knitwear Sizing Is Tricky

Luxury brands like Barrie rarely conform to standard high-street sizing charts. This is due to:

  • Fabric behaviour: Cashmere grows with wear and adapts to your body

  • Design intent: Many pieces are sculptural or conceptual

  • Unisex or genderless styles: Not all items are graded for standard women’s sizing

  • International conversions: UK, FR, and IT sizing sometimes overlap or conflict

That’s why a tool like Tellar.co.uk is essential when investing in pieces at this level.

Tellar.co.uk: The Smart Way to Find Your Perfect Barrie Fit

Tellar.co.uk is a free sizing tool that matches your actual body measurements to your correct size in Barrie and over 1,500+ fashion brands — including knitwear, tailoring, and outerwear.

If you’re unsure whether to go with a S or M in a £1,200 cardigan, Tellar does the maths for you.

What Tellar.co.uk Offers:

  • Real-time sizing based on your chest, waist, and hip

  • Tailored results for cashmere, wool, and blended knits

  • Free measuring tape sent to you

  • One-time profile setup

  • Option to input your usual size in another brand (e.g. The Row, Joseph)

  • Results adapted for oversized vs. fitted styles

➡️ Look up your Barrie size now

How to Measure for Barrie Clothing

For best results on Tellar.co.uk, measure:

  • Chest: Around the fullest part of your bust

  • Waist: At your natural waistline

  • Hips: Around the fullest part of your seat

Once entered, Tellar instantly matches your body to the appropriate Barrie size — factoring in design intent, material, and fit type.

Final Verdict: Does Barrie Run Big or Small?

  • Barrie generally runs true to size, with some garments intentionally oversized

  • Size down in sculptural sweaters if you want a neater shape

  • Stay true to size in fitted cardigans and tailored knits

  • Size up in stretch-knit trousers if in doubt

For investment-quality knitwear, getting the sizing right the first time matters — and that’s what Tellar.co.uk is designed for.

Try Tellar.co.uk — It’s Free & Easy

✅ Real-time recommendations based on your body
✅ Fits tailored to garment construction (fitted vs oversized)
✅ Use across 1,500+ brands
✅ Free measuring tape
✅ One-time quick setup — use it forever

➡️ Create your free profile
➡️ Find your Barrie size in seconds

Follow Tellar.co.uk for More Sizing Help

“Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.”
Let Tellar.co.uk guide you to your perfect Barrie fit — effortlessly, accurately, and without compromise.