Do Banana Republic suits run small or large?
Fact-checked 2026-09-29 · every claim links to its source below
What Banana Republic publishes
- The sitewide men's chart has an inches / centimetres toggle and gives body measurements: "Raise your arms slightly and measure around your body. Be sure to measure across your shoulder blades and the fullest part of your chest." The sleeve instruction is a neck-to-wrist body measurement, and the page adds a rare honest aside: "If possible, get a friend to help."1
- Two charts that do not meet. The sitewide chart is alpha only, XXS–XXL, while the suit jackets sell in numeric chest sizes, and the suiting "Size Guide" on the jacket page is an availability grid rather than a measurement table. There is no published table mapping a body chest in inches to a 40R; the bridge has to be read off the alpha chart's chest column.12
- Tall is a limb-length variant at unchanged girth, and you only learn it by comparing two tables the brand publishes separately: waist, chest and neck are identical between Regular and Tall, and only the sleeve changes — +2½" at M and L, +2" at XL, +2¼" at XXL. That is exactly what a tall-but-not-heavy buyer needs told.1
- On the jacket page the size UI is two independent selectors, Chest (34–50) and Length (Short, Regular, Long) — the same split-control pattern as M&S and the opposite of BOSS's fused "40R".2
- The suiting Size Guide is an availability matrix, and it shows where the lengths actually stop: Short exists at 36, 38, 40 and 42 and nothing above; Regular at 36 through 48; Long at 40 through 48 and nothing below. A 38" chest who needs a Long, or a 46" who needs a Short, has no size to buy in that style — the grid, not the size selector, is the honest answer to "does my size exist?"2
- The fit definition is published twice on the jacket page: "Tailored Slim Fit: Slim through the chest and waist, with an Italian-style soft shoulder. Slim sleeves", with "Long sleeves. Below-hip length." and the fit model "Size 42, 6'2"". No chest-to-waist drop is published for any fit.2
- Jacket and trouser are sold as separate products, so no drop is imposed on the buyer; the sitewide chart gives the trouser-relevant body waist per alpha size (S 29–31, M 32–34, L 36–38, XL 40–42, XXL 44–46).21
- Published ceiling: XXL = 49–52" chest on the sitewide chart, and 48R / 48L as the largest suiting combination actually gridded. No size surcharge is stated for Tall or for the larger chests.12
What buyers report
- Banana Republic runs a three-axis fit meter rather than a single slider: Overall Size averages 2.0 of 3 on a small-to-large scale, Chest 2.5 of 3 on tight-to-loose and Length 2.5 of 3 on short-to-long, from 22 reviews on a 4.8/5 product.4
- Read that: 2.0 is dead centre, so overall size is reported true to size, while chest and length both skew loose and long. On the brand's own data this "Tailored Slim Fit" jacket is roomier and longer than expected — the opposite of the folk rule that a slim fit runs small.4
- Worth the caveat: 22 reviews is a thin base and the meter is per product, not per brand. Banana Republic also publishes an AI review summary that hedges — "Customers value its adaptability… though a few mention sizing differences" — and labels it as machine-generated from customer reviews rather than as buyer testimony.4
If you get the size wrong
- The policy block reads "Free Returns and Exchanges" and "30 Days to Return or Exchange — From delivery date for online purchases, or Purchase date for store purchases" — the clearest statement of the start event among the US brands here.3
- Return postage is free both ways for online orders, with no label deduction of the J.Crew or Express kind. Items bought through a third-party seller must be returned to that seller instead.3
| Size | Chest | Waist | Sleeve — Regular | Sleeve — Tall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M | 38-40 1 | 32-34 1 | 34 1 | 36½ 1 |
| L | 41-44 1 | 36-38 1 | 35 1 | 37½ 1 |
| XL | 45-48 1 | 40-42 1 | 36 1 | 38 1 |
| XXL | 49-52 1 | 44-46 1 | 37 1 | 39¼ 1 |
“I’m incredibly grateful for the Team at Nathan Taylor’s, I had the absolute best experience from the WhatsApp video call to the customer service… they are top notch. I can’t recommend them enough and will definitely be purchasing more suits from them. Cảm ơn!”
“Suit arrived! It’s incredible, amazing job thank you.”
“Ordered two suits and four shirts, remotely from the US. They fit great and are great quality! Was able to do everything over WhatsApp for measurements, etc. Will definitely visit if I ever make it to Hoi An. Highly recommend!”
“Being a short and stocky person, I could never truly get clothing that fitted properly. "Off the rack" was never an option... As I opened the small box, I got nervous and wondered if I made a big mistake and basically gambled away a fair amount of money. I ordered a 3 piece suit, 2 shirts and had a pair of leather dress shoes. Everything fitted nicely... the shirts were absolutely PERFECT.”
“Very satisfied; incredibly skillful to make clothes fit so perfectly. Beautiful fabric exactly as promised, very neat — would simply love to order from here again!”
“They did such an amazing job, my suit fits perfectly and the craftsmanship is superb! Linda was a great help and she knows exactly what she is doing. I can't recommend this place enough and I will be getting more suits from them in the future guaranteed!”
“Great place to get perfect suit, they send me to Poland with no problems.”
“WOW! Ordered a suit online with Linda. She contacted me by video call to go through the measuring process and once confirmed measurements again, around 4 weeks later a made to measure suit arrived in the UK. Fitted perfectly and I didn't even visit! Fantastic quality and customer service from Linda. Would definitely recommend!”
“Exceptional experience from start to finish. I ordered a fully custom two-piece double-breasted suit remotely from France, Linda and Jennifer guided me through every step with patience and professionalism. The suit arrived in under 3 weeks and the result is flawless: fabric, cut, lining, silhouette, everything is perfect. Nathan Tailors delivered exactly the vision I had in mind. I will absolutely be ordering again. Highly recommended.”
“This was my first time buying suits online so I was a bit apprehensive. However, the online order form was both easy to use and very thorough, and they did a video call with me to make sure of a couple of measurements that were out of the normal range. Two suits and a shirt arrived here in New Zealand in less than two weeks, are well-made, and fit perfectly. I'm thrilled with the service.”
Questions people ask
Does the Banana Republic Tailored Slim Fit run small?
No. The brand's own three-axis meter puts Overall Size at 2.0 of 3, dead centre, with Chest and Length both at 2.5 of 3 — skewing loose and long 4. It is a thin sample of 22 reviews and specific to that garment 4.
What is the difference between Banana Republic Regular and Tall?
Sleeve length only. Chest, waist and neck are identical; the sleeve adds about 2 to 2½ inches 1. Tall is a limb-length variant, not a bigger size.
Why does the size chart use XS-XXL when the jackets are 38 and 40?
Because the sitewide chart is alpha and the jackets sell numeric, and the suiting Size Guide is an availability grid rather than a measurement table 12. The alpha chart's chest column is the only bridge between them.
Does Banana Republic stock my length?
Check the availability grid, not the size selector: Short stops at 42 and Long starts at 40 on the style inspected 2. A 38 Long or a 46 Short does not exist there.
How long do I have to exchange a Banana Republic suit?
30 days from the delivery date online, or the purchase date in store, with free returns and exchanges both ways 3.
Sources
What Banana Republic publishes
- Size charts — men — Banana Republic, 2026-09-29brand-stated
- Signature Italian Hopsack Suit Jacket — size guide and fit — Banana Republic, 2026-09-29brand-stated
- Returns and exchanges policy — Banana Republic, 2026-09-29brand-stated
What buyers and the press report
- Customer reviews and fit meter, Signature Italian Hopsack Suit Jacket — Buyer reviews hosted on bananarepublic.gap.com, 2026-09-29third-party
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