Should You Size Up or Down in Jeans? A Guide for Irish Shoppers

On a rainy afternoon in Dublin, it’s a familiar sight: someone caught between two pairs of jeans in Brown Thomas, trying to decide if a slight squeeze or a little slack is the better call. The question isn’t a trivial one in Ireland’s ever changeable climate or with its melting pot of body shapes—do you size up or size down in jeans?

Jeans Sizing Realities in the Irish Market

Let’s face it, the "perfect fit" is almost mythical unless you get your jeans tailored on Grafton Street. Irish sizing charts don’t always play nicely with international labels, and there’s the added twist of, say, an M&S Slim Jean fitting nothing like a Penneys’ Skinny. The only thing they have in common is how confusing it gets. The Irish market is flooded with European, US, and UK sizes, sometimes all on one awkwardly small label. Ever noticed how a 32-inch waist at Arnotts feels like a different planet to the same number at Next? That’s not your imagination. Sizing ‘standards’ are more suggestion than science.

Weather plays its part too. People here favour jeans most months—it’s reliable wear for grey days and downpours. If you’ve ever waited at a Luas stop with jeans that were too tight, you know the struggle of damp denim sticking to your thighs isn’t worth it. A tad of breathing space can be a lifesaver when stepping out in Galway’s wind. Irish folk shops differently too—many buy jeans in person because you just can’t trust the fit online. Brands like Diesel or Tommy Hilfiger at Kildare Village set up changing rooms for a reason; trying on is survival.

Deciding whether to size up or down depends a lot on where you buy and the jeans’ fabric. Jeans with a high percentage of cotton will stretch a bit—usually half a size, especially after a summer cycle along the Great Western Greenway or just a weekend of wear. But those “super-stretch” blends you spot at BT2 or River Island? They hold shape but rarely stretch out much. So with rigid denim, staying true to size or even going up makes sense, especially if you don’t enjoy standing like a soldier after lunch at The Woollen Mills. For super-stretch, don’t be scared to go tighter—it won’t strangle you after an hour, and you avoid the saggy bum look by 5pm.

Local tradition helps here. Irish mums were never shy of telling you to "leave room for a roast." For many, going for comfort over the ultra-tight look isn’t just sensible—it's practical. Irish body shapes are varied, and jeans should allow enough give for a lunchtime stew on Dawson Street or a dash for the last Dart home. Try sitting, squatting, and even a little dance in the fitting room before you commit. Who cares about the side-eye from the shop assistant?

The Comfort-Fit Clash: Local Preference and Denim Dilemmas

So, do most people in Ireland size up or size down? The answer’s not as obvious as you’d think. Dubliners are a practical bunch and seldom fall for the TikTok "painted-on" jeans trend—unless it’s for a big night at Coppers. People in Limerick or Kilkenny? Comfort usually wins out, especially with Ireland having such “jeans weather” all year round. The popularity of high-waist, relaxed-cut jeans in shops like Dunnes Stores shows where the trend’s heading.

But there’s also vanity sizing to deal with—a 34 at Zara might flatter you with a looser fit, while a 34 at Bershka tells another story. Irish shoppers quickly learn to check centimeter measurements, not just numbering. Jeans bought in Galway’s outdoor markets are often without clear sizing at all, so you have to judge by eye (and maybe a bit of luck). Then there’s shrinkage. Washing jeans in hot water—common in colder months—can take a snug fit into “too tight” territory after just one spin cycle. People here often size up to play it safe, especially with classic Levi’s or Wrangler.

That said, you’ll see Cork students or festival-goers at Electric Picnic rocking skinnies a size down, relying on that promised “give” after a few wears. If you prefer a looser fit—something to wear to the Aviva and actually breathe in—most folk recommend you size up. But here’s a local tip: always check the return policy, which Irish stores tend to be straightforward about (see the table above). You can buy two sizes, wear both at home, and return the loser. No embarrassing changing-room sprints.

If you’re shopping for jeans in Ireland, watch for trends from Irish designers like Lennon Courtney, who know the Irish torso and leg profiles better than some overseas brands. They design jeans with deeper pockets (for when you inevitably end up carrying someone’s phone and keys too) and extra room in the thigh—specifically for Irish frames.

Denim experts at Belfast’s Best Menswear have said that Irish buyers ask for “room-to-grow” fits more than, say, their London cousins. This isn’t about eating more spuds, but about keeping it easy for cycling or spontaneous pub sessions without discomfort. It’s not laziness—it’s tactical. Jeans shouldn’t end in a battle of wills after two pints of Guinness. 

Size-down looks are tempting for style but less forgiving for Ireland’s living style. If the hem’s creeping up in the rain or you’re hopping into the car for a cross-country trip, restrictive jeans lose their shine fast. The average Irishman spends about 90 minutes a day driving or on public transport—roomy jeans make this a lot less of a pain. And if you need layering (thermals under jeans are Ireland’s winter hack), then sizing up is practically a must.

Shop Smart: Tips for Getting the Right Jean Fit in Ireland

First, ignore the number. Focus on feel. In Irish shops, try on at least two sizes, especially if the lighting helps you spot every lump and bump. Make time for the full test: sit, crouch, walk, and stretch in those jeans. Try both pairs with a jumper if it’s November or a plain tee if you’re dressing for summer. Remember, jeans stretch if they’re all-cotton—a size that feels snug will likely relax after a week’s wear. But if they’re blended with elastane, the size you buy is the size you’ll keep.

• Check for gaping at the waistband—Irish brands often cut a higher rise to avoid ‘plumber’s crack.’
• Bring a trusted mate, or send a selfie to someone with opinions. A true friend in Ireland will be honest about the fit.
• If you do your jeans shopping in Castlebar or Carlow, where you might only have a couple of shops, take your time, and use the store’s knowledge. Staff at local shops tend to have great advice on which brands fit wider calves or which jeans run long in the leg (important if you’re not keen on turn-ups).
• Aftercare matters. Don’t tumble-dry your jeans unless you want them to shrink a full size. Irish laundry rooms aren’t the warmest; air dry flat or over a radiator if you’re impatient.
• Look out for brands with “Tall” or “Petite” lines, especially in places like Debenhams or River Island—Irish men and women rarely fit the middle of the bell curve on length.

If you’re shopping online, order two sizes if you can. Delivery services in Ireland are usually fast, and returns are straightforward with most high-street brands. For second-hand jeans, like those at Dublin’s Siopaella or the charity shops along Georges Street Arcade, you’re better off going a size up—older denim is less forgiving, and alterations cost less than new jeans do.

When you’re stuck between the two, ask yourself: Do I want to be able to cycle from Salthill to Eyre Square and then stop for pizza without minding my waistband? Am I determined to rock that spray-on look for a gig at The Grand Social? Your answer points to the right fit. A good rule: jeans sizing Ireland advice says size up for practicality, down for style, but not so much that you need to change your dinner plans.

Everyone has been burned by a dodgy jean fit along the way, especially in Ireland’s unpredictable weather and with our love for comfort just as much as style. The art is in knowing why you’re buying and what you'll be doing in them. Size up for a laid-back Sunday at Phoenix Park, down if you’re feeling bold and the mood hits just right. No matter what, if they make you feel good—whatever the label says—you’ve done it right.