Founded in California in 1966, The North Face started rather ironically as a beach-front store in San Francisco by two passionate hikers who wanted to design and manufacture their own high-performance equipment for mountaineering. Very quickly, The North Face became the go-to brand for hiking and backpacking equipment and not long after inception, tested its limits by expanding to skiwear, camping accessories and tents. It wasn’t until the 1990s, however, that the brand began to expand into the footwear sphere, but they soon became a regular name on trail runs, rock climbs and treks. Following on from this, the brand (despite continuing to provide high-quality adventure clothing, shoes and accessories) started to make its way into the mainstream, and is now seen frequently on the high street, as well as in high altitude.
Now a streetwear essential, you can buy The North Face clothing at retailers such as ASOS, END. Clothing, SEVENSTORE and the like, meaning that if it’s not already, then no doubt you’ll soon have some The North Face clothing as part of your wardrobe. This being said, it’s important to know how The North Face clothing fits. Does The North Face run big, or small? What’s the conversion sizing for TNF? Does women's North Face clothing run smaller than other brands on the market? We’ll answer all of this, and more, below.
In general, The North Face clothing does run small compared to other streetwear brands on the market. Compared to the likes of Dickies and Carhartt (both of which definitely fit on the larger side thanks to the boxy, oversized style of clothing), The North Face runs true to size if you want a perfect form fit, or if you want some room to move or a slightly oversized style, then definitely go up a size.
If you’re looking to see how The North Face coats and jackets fit , then make sure to check out that sizing guide too.
The North Face Sizing: What Our Product Specialists Think FIT : The North Face clothing runs smaller than other brands. If you prefer a boxy, oversized fit, then it’s recommended that you size up one or two sizes to get this desired look. Generally, the clothing comes quite slim fitted, so sizing up is necessary to change the look to what you desire. COMFORT : The North Face clothing is beyond comfortable. Releasing mostly streetwear-inspired items, there’s lots of joggers, leggings, sweatshirts and fleeces on offer, all of which are really cosy and easy to move around in. With TNF’s roots being in sports and mountaineering, it’s guaranteed that these are going to be comfy and easy to wear. PRICE : The North Face clothing comes in at around the same price as the big sports brand’s prices. Some pieces are more expensive (of course that Gucci x The North Face collab is going to break the bank), but the general release items are on par with what you’d spend at Nike or adidas. Granted, it’s not as cheap as ASOS’s own brand or PLT, but you’re getting quality clothing that will last you much longer. Generally, The North Face clothing doesn’t come in loud colours or brandished with patterns that won’t be in fashion this time next year. Whilst keeping on top of trends, TNF has the ability to create long-lasting pieces that won’t go out of style, so it’s definitely worth the little bit of extra money in the long term. That being said, if loud and outlandish colours are your style (maximalists, where are you?), then make sure to check out the most recent KAWS x The North Face collab right here.
Kelly, Social Media & Content Manager The large logo Gucci x The North Face tees are to die for!
How do The North Face T-Shirts Fit? If you know anything about The North Face Nuptse jacket , then you’ll know it runs small. The North Face clothing is no different. If you’re looking to cop a TNF t-shirt and desire an oversized fit, then it’s recommended that you size up once, maybe even twice. Whilst the Gucci x The North Face t-shirts come in that on-trend boxy fit, a lot of the general release styles take a much more fitted approach, especially the crop tops and tank tops. Make sure to check your size against what size the model is wearing (this can give you a good idea about how they fit) or use the sizing chart provided by the retailer.
Are North Face T-Shirts Good Quality? The North Face t-shirts and tops are definitely good quality for the price. The cotton used on the t-shirts is usually quite thin so they're definitely more suited for beating the summer heat than braving the elements.
What is a Size 10 in North Face Clothing? You might be wondering how to convert the sizing of The North Face clothing to UK women’s sizing. Coming in sizes X Small to XXXL (rather than 6, 8, 10 etc.), there’s plenty of choice; it’s just about finding the right one for you.
Generally, XS is about a size 4 - 6 in UK women’s sizing. Meaning that if you’re a UK 10, you’re probably best getting an M for a roomy fit, or an S for a slightly more fitted look.
Jez, Social Media Assistant & Content Creator I always size up in my The North Face hoodies and sweats for that oversized, baggy look!
How do The North Face Hoodies and Sweatshirts Fit? Whilst you might want fitted tees, more often than not you’ll be looking for an oversized style for your sweatshirts and hoodies. The North Face hoodies are designed to fit you ‘properly’. So if you’re looking for something a little on the baggy side, then you’re going to have to size up once or a couple of times to achieve this look. However, if you’re looking for a jumper you can wear under your The North Face coat , you’re best sticking to your usual size to ensure that you’ve got plenty of room in the jacket. There’s nothing worse than feeling claustrophobic in your own clothes.
The North Face hoodies are definitely more slim fit than Carhartt sweatshirts or Nike’s boxy overheads. They often sit just on your hips too; it’s very rare that they reach your bum. Thanks to the tight cuffs around the body and sleeves, you might need to wear the hoodie a few times before it stretches a little to your liking. It’s worth knowing that the more mountainous fleeces, such as the Glacier ¼ zip, fit the same too. They come with a skin-tight feel that you need to size up a couple of times to avoid.
The North Face Zumu sweatshirt is a popular style that resembles a long-sleeve tee kind of look, rather than a thick sweatshirt. These look great when you buy your true size, as they are the perfect layering piece to go under your coat for extra warmth.
It’s worth noting that when shopping for North Face clothing on ASOS, there’s many items that are exclusive to the online retailer. Appealing to the general consumer and fashion trends at the time, you’ll find that a lot of these pieces come with that desired boxy fit. For those pieces that come oversized as standard, this is reflected in the name so take extra care here. You can find out our top tips for shopping on ASOS right here .
Are The North Face Hoodies Comfortable? Definitely! Although you don't get that cosy oversized fit unless you size up, you still get an incredibly soft and warm hoodie. The North Face hoodies and sweatshirts are perfect for cold winter days.
Jess, Digital Marketing Executive The North Face joggers are an essential in my wardrobe!
How do The North Face Bottoms Fit? Compared to the Nike Sportswear joggers, The North Face joggers (even the ones labelled ‘oversized’) fit a lot more slimline than you might be used to. Often coming with a drawstring waist that’s adjustable to your size, it might be worth sizing up in your joggers to get that baggy, oversized feel around the legs and bum, as you’ll still be able to tie the waist up to fit you. We only recommend doing this, however, when you’re purchasing the thicker, fleece-lined styles. If you’re buying the joggers that are made from a stretchy jersey material, and appear more like leggings than joggers, stick to your true size for the perfect fit.
This being said, it’s worth noting that on the ‘Mountain Athletic’ range, the joggers don’t come with an adjustable waist, just an elasticated one, so stick to your true size.
How do You Style The North Face Joggers? I always style them with a comfortable outfit. My go-to is pairing TNF joggers and sweatshirts together for a cosy WFH outfit. Finish the outfit off with some The North Face Thermoball Slippers{product:the-north-face-thermoball-traction-mule-loafers-black-wms|/release-dates/the-north-face/thermoball/the-north-face-thermoball-traction-mule-loafers-black-wms/}(/new) for those really chilly days.
The North Face Sizing: What Size Should You Buy? Overall, The North Face does fit true to size if you’re looking for a perfect form fit. For example, if you want a sweatshirt that’ll sit nicely under your TNF coat, then definitely go for your usual size. However, if you’re looking for a baggier, oversized streetwear style, then definitely size up one, maybe two sizes depending on your desired style. For joggers, go true to size if the pair doesnn’t possess a drawstring waist, but if they do, you can buy the size to suit what sort of fit you want. Whatever you do, and whatever look you’re going for, rest assured you’ll probably never have to size down. Generally speaking, if the products are made for lifestyle and fashion (i.e. ASOS exclusives or Gucci collaborations), then they will fit slightly larger than those made for hiking and the outdoors (as a perfect fit is key!). However, you’ll still find they fit smaller than other comparable brands you probably wear.
If you’re looking to cop some The North Face clothing, make sure to check out all the styles we have on site here , and make sure to check out our other sizing guides to ensure you get the perfect fit every. single. time.
