Men's size guide
Gauvain Paris
Men's size guide
All our men's Breton shirts follow the same size chart, whether you choose La Marinière 1858 knitted in Troyes or the Marinière Originale made in Portugal.
The size chart
The garment measured flat, and the chest it fits. In centimetres.
| Our size | Garment | Your chest |
|---|---|---|
| XS / 1 | 84 cm | 78-82 cm |
| S / 2 | 90 cm | 83-88 cm |
| M / 3 | 96 cm | 89-94 cm |
| L / 4 | 104 cm | 95-102 cm |
| XL / 5 | 112 cm | 103-110 cm |
| XXL / 6 | 120 cm | 111-118 cm |
Our labels carry both a letter and a number. They mean the same size.
The garment figure is the shirt laid flat, measured from one armhole seam to the other and multiplied by two. Allow about 2 cm of ease between your chest measurement and that figure.
Between two sizes? Take the larger one, for the roomier fit of a traditional Breton shirt.
And if it does not fit, size exchange is free within 30 days.
How to measure
Two methods. Pick whichever is easier for you.
On yourself, with a tape measure
- ChestPass the tape under your arms, around the fullest part of your chest, arms down. Keep it horizontal across your back, neither tight nor loose.
- Read across the "your chest" columnIt gives you the size to order directly. Between two rows, take the size above.
Measure in underwear or over a thin garment, preferably at the end of the day rather than first thing in the morning.
On a garment you already own
If you do not have a soft tape measure, take a top that fits you well, lay it flat and measure its chest width from one armhole seam to the other. Multiply by two, then compare with the garment column: it is exactly the same measurement.
Our measurements are taken by hand: allow a 2 to 3 cm tolerance.
Men and women: the one-size shift
The same garment, two names.
Our men's and women's Breton shirts come from the same pattern. Only the size name changes, shifted by one notch. If you are hesitating between the two cuts, go by the number rather than the letter.
| Number | Men's size | Women's size |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | none | XS |
| 1 | XS | S |
| 2 | S | M |
| 3 | M | L |
| 4 | L | XL |
| 5 | XL | XXL |
| 6 | XXL | XXXL |
Size 0 exists in women's only: it is the smallest of the range.
Looking for the women's chart? See our women's size guide.
1858 or Originale: the same chart
The size does not change. The fabric does.
Both models follow the same measurements. What sets them apart is the fabric and the origin. La Marinière 1858 is knitted in carded cotton in Troyes, under the France Terre Textile label. The Marinière Originale is made in combed cotton in Portugal. Both weigh 220 gsm in long sleeve. To understand how the two cottons feel, read our article on carded versus combed cotton.
Frequently asked questions
Everything customers ask before ordering.
Which men's Breton shirt size should I choose?
Measure your chest and read across the chart. A 92 cm chest is a size M, also written 3. Between two sizes, take the larger one.
What is the chart in inches?
Your chest, converted: XS (1) 31 to 32 in, S (2) 33 to 35 in, M (3) 35 to 37 in, L (4) 37 to 40 in, XL (5) 41 to 43 in, XXL (6) 44 to 46 in. Letter sizes differ from one brand to the next, so measure your chest and use these figures rather than the letter you usually buy.
What chest measurement is a men's size M?
A men's M, also written 3, fits a chest of 89 to 94 cm. The garment itself measures 96 cm laid flat.
What chest measurement is a men's size XL?
A men's XL, written 5, fits a chest of 103 to 110 cm, for a garment measurement of 112 cm. Above it, the XXL, written 6, goes up to a 118 cm chest.
Does the Breton shirt run large or small?
It runs true to size. Our chart follows the traditional French Breton shirt sizing, with a regular cut, neither fitted nor loose, and a boat neck. If you like your tops close to the body, stay with your usual size. If you prefer a more relaxed drape, take the size above.
Does the Breton shirt shrink in the wash?
No, as long as you wash at 30 degrees and dry flat. The first wash is decisive: our first wash guide sets out the steps, and our complete care guide covers the rest.
How do I choose between the 1858 and the Originale?
The sizes are identical, so the choice comes down to fabric and origin. Our guide to choosing your Breton shirt compares both models in detail.
What if I order the wrong size?
Size exchange is entirely free within 30 days. We send you a prepaid return label and your new size ships as soon as we receive the parcel. You can order with no risk.
Got your size?
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