Women's size guide
Gauvain Paris
Women's size guide
All our women'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
Garment measured flat, and the bust it fits.
| Our size | Garment | Your bust |
|---|---|---|
| XS / 0 | 80 cm | 74-78 cm |
| S / 1 | 84 cm | 78-82 cm |
| M / 2 | 90 cm | 83-88 cm |
| L / 3 | 96 cm | 89-94 cm |
| XL / 4 | 104 cm | 95-102 cm |
| XXL / 5 | 112 cm | 103-110 cm |
| XXXL / 6 | 120 cm | 111-118 cm |
All measurements in centimetres. Our labels carry a letter and a number: both 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 bust and that figure. Letter sizes vary from one brand to the next, so go by your bust measurement first.
Between two sizes? Take the larger one, for the relaxed fit of a traditional Breton shirt.
And if it is not right, size exchanges are free within 30 days.
How to measure
Two methods, whichever is easier for you.
On yourself, with a tape measure
- BustPass the tape under your arms, around the fullest part of the bust, arms down by your sides. Keep it level across the back, neither tight nor loose.
- Read the "your bust" columnIt gives you the size to order directly. Between two rows, take the larger size.
Measure in your underwear or over a thin layer, preferably at the end of the day rather than first thing in the morning. A Breton shirt has a boat neck, so the bust measurement is what determines the size.
On a garment you already own
If you have no tape measure, take a top that fits you well, lay it flat and measure its 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.
Women's and men's: one notch apart
The same garment, two names.
Our women's and men's Breton shirts come from the same pattern. Only the name of the size changes, shifted by one notch: a women's M is a men's S. If you are hesitating between the two, go by the number rather than the letter.
| Number | Women's size | Men's size |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | XS | none |
| 1 | S | XS |
| 2 | M | S |
| 3 | L | M |
| 4 | XL | L |
| 5 | XXL | XL |
| 6 | XXXL | XXL |
Size 0 is our smallest size, and it exists in women's only.
Looking for the men's chart? See the men'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 where they are made. 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 g/m² in long sleeve. To understand how the two cottons feel different, read our article on carded versus combed cotton.
Frequently asked questions
Everything customers ask us before ordering.
Which women's Breton shirt size should I choose?
Take your usual size. If in doubt, measure your bust and read it off the chart: a 86 cm bust is a size M, that is size 2. Between two sizes, take the larger one.
How do your sizes compare with French sizes?
Our S, marked 1, is a French 34. The M, marked 2, is a 36. The L, marked 3, is a 38 or 40. The XL, marked 4, is a 42 or 44. The XXL, marked 5, is a 46 or 48, and the XXXL, marked 6, is a 50. When in doubt, go by your bust measurement rather than the letter.
How do your sizes compare with UK and US sizes?
Our S, marked 1, is a UK 6 or US 2. The M, marked 2, is a UK 8 or US 4. The L, marked 3, is a UK 10-12 or US 6-8. The XL, marked 4, is a UK 14-16 or US 10-12. These conversions vary between brands, so the bust column remains the reliable one.
What bust does a women's M fit?
A women's M, also marked 2, fits a bust of 83 to 88 cm. The garment measures 90 cm flat.
What bust does a women's S fit?
A women's S, marked 1, fits a bust of 78 to 82 cm, for a garment measuring 84 cm flat.
Why do your letters not match my usual size?
Because our Breton shirts are unisex: the same garment carries one letter in women's and the letter below in men's. In practice, take your usual size, and if you are unsure, use the French size column or your bust measurement.
Can I order a men's size?
Yes, it is the same garment. Simply go by the number: a size 2 is a women's M and a men's S. Many customers deliberately take one size up for a looser fit.
Does the Breton shirt shrink in the wash?
No, provided you wash at 30 degrees and dry flat. The first wash is the one that matters: our first wash guide explains what to do, and our complete care guide covers the rest.
What if I order the wrong size?
Size exchanges are entirely free within 30 days. We send you a prepaid return label and the new size ships as soon as your parcel arrives. You can order without risk.
Got your size?
Shop women's Breton shirts