Unsure about your size? Up’s the way to go…

You might recall we recently opened a pop-up store in Paris. While it was lovely showing off Asphalte goods and getting to meet our customers face to face, it was also a great opportunity to learn about how people wear the clothes we make.

One unexpected takeaway? A lot of you seem to be going for the smallest size possible… Why?

You know we don’t like to be bossy about how people wear their clothes, but if your hoodie’s fitting like a wetsuit and your slacks are anything but, something’s not right.

At the Asphalte office we got talking about the reasonings that might explain people opting for a size down - and sure, there are a few:

But take it from us: going a size down isn’t the smart move. If you think you’re between sizes, always aim high. Upsizing is the way to go.

We aren’t advocating OTT upscaling in general, no stretch Hummers or supersizing your meals... That’s not our style. But upsizing - when it comes to clothes - is just a smart move for those of you who find yourselves bang between two sizes.

Here are just a few reasons that going a size up’s in your favour…

Here’s a set of three unarguable upsides to upsizing.

This one’s a no-brainer. More room (in most cases) means more comfort. That’s definitely true for clothes, as well as aeroplane seats, lifts, beds, submarines — the list goes on. If you’re bang between a Medium and a Large, bank yourself a little extra wiggle room.

You don’t have to be a master tailor to wrap your head around this one: the more stress you put on materials and seams, the quicker they'll give up the ghost. So giving yourself a little bonus breathing room also boosts an item’s lifespan. More space means less stress, less friction, less wear, less tear… You get the picture.

OK - this one’s a little more ‘opinion’ than ‘unarguable fact’, but at Asphalte we’re convinced an item will always look better with a little more give in the mix. This is especially true of the classic, vintage-inspired, or workwear-influenced items we love most: a little bit of extra material only benefits a perfected cut. If you feel comfy, you look comfy.

Buying an XL when you're pretty sure you’d fill a Large is upsizing. Picking an XL pair of jeans when you're usually a Small is oversizing. One’s the only smart call for those of you unsure which way to go, the other’s a sartorial call we can’t make for you.

So, there you have Asphalte’s sizing tip du jour. It may sound obvious, but chatting with the visitors at our perfect Pop-Up store left us convinced the value of a little wiggle room’s sorely underrated.

A garment that 'fits' is one that you feel good in, day in, day out. Whether you're sitting on the tube, changing a tyre, or relaxing after a big lunch - you want to be comfy. Choose clothes that’ll work with you all day long, for years to come.

Convinced? Doubtful? Curious? The comments section’s open. Wade right in.

ASPHALTE

PS: We have a free exchange policy so you can put the theory to the test. And the re-test if you need to.