What regular fit means

Short answer: Regular fit is the standard cut. It follows the body without squeezing and without hanging loose, and it suits the widest range of body types. That is why most everyday pieces are made in it.

Room without being loose

Regular fit has a few centimetres of ease at the waist, so the fabric does not cling to the body. It gives you room to move, sit and breathe freely without the top looking too big. The fabric falls calmly from the shoulders and does not bunch into folds at the waist. See bamboo sweatshirt for women.

The safest choice online

If you do not know the brand, regular fit is the cut most likely to fit. A close cut needs your body to match that exact shape, and a loose cut can easily end up too big. Regular sits between the two and forgives small differences in measurements. That makes it easier to order without trying on first. See bamboo sweatpants for women.

Works in layers

Because there is room, you can wear a layer underneath without it pulling. A thin top under a sweatshirt or a T-shirt under a cardigan sits naturally when the cut is regular. That makes regular fit practical in the months when the weather changes and you add or remove layers during the day. See bamboo joggers for women.

Regular, slim and oversize

Slim fit is narrower at the waist and sleeves and sits close to the body. Oversize is cut large on purpose, so the shoulder seam drops onto the upper arm. Regular sits between the two. It follows the shape of the body without showing it clearly and keeps a calm look that works at home, at work and out in town.

How to check the fit

Put the piece on and see whether the shoulder seam sits on the edge of the shoulder. Take hold of the fabric at the waist. If you can gather a few centimetres without it pulling elsewhere, it is regular. Raise your arms and sit down. The fabric should move with you without pulling across the back or riding far up.

The word is not a standard

Regular fit is not the same across all brands. One brand may have a regular that is close to another brand's slim, while another adds more room. That is why the centimetre measurements in the size guide are more reliable than the word itself. Measure a top you like and compare it with the guide before choosing.

If you are between two sizes

Regular fit already has some room, so you can usually choose the size that suits your shoulders and length. If you want a more relaxed look or room for a thick layer underneath, go up a size. If you want it closer, stay with the smaller one, but check that it does not pull across the chest.

Protect the cut in the wash

A regular fit loses its shape if the fabric stretches or draws in. Wash at a low temperature and skip the tumble dryer. Do not hang wet clothes on a hanger, since the weight pulls at the shoulders. Dry them flat instead and ease them gently into shape while damp. That way they keep the fit you chose them for.

Frequently asked questions

What does regular fit mean

The standard cut, which follows the body with a few centimetres of ease without squeezing or hanging loose. It suits the widest range of body types.

When should you choose regular over slim

When you want room for a layer underneath, or when you do not already know the brand's cut. Regular forgives small differences in measurements better than a close cut.

Is regular fit the same at every brand

No. The cut varies, so the centimetre measurements in the size guide are more reliable than the word itself. Compare with a top you already like.