Artist / Signature Stripe
The multicoloured stripe is Paul Smith's calling card, running across polos, knitwear, shirting, wallets, belts and loafers throughout the range.
Explore Signature Stripe →Brand profile
Paul Smith
British label founded by Paul Smith in 1970, known for traditional tailoring twisted with bright colour, stripes and prints across menswear and womenswear.
NottinghamOrigin
UnisexFocus
Urban prep / IvyStyle
$$$Price
22 brands like Paul Smith like Oliver Spencer, Ted Baker, Reiss →
What to know about Paul Smith
Paul Smith opened his first shop in Nottingham in 1970 and still designs the label, which pairs traditional British tailoring with playful colour. Signature pieces include suits, striped knitwear and shirting using the multicoloured Artist Stripe, alongside accessories, eyewear and footwear; the cheaper PS Paul Smith line covers casualwear. The business runs about 130 stores in more than 60 countries. Smith retains majority ownership with Japanese trading house Itochu holding 40%; the company reported a £5.3m pre-tax loss for the year to June 2024 and closed its German stores.
The pieces that define Paul Smith
Shop Paul Smith →A Suit To Travel In
The brand's best-known tailoring innovation — a crease-resistant, stretch-comfort suit that sums up Paul Smith's modern take on British tailoring.
Explore Travel Suits →Tailored Two-Button Suit
Classic Savile Row-informed two-button tailoring, cut slim with a British sensibility, remains the foundation of the label since 1970.
Explore tailoring →Shop Paul Smith
Shop all Paul Smith ↗Available atSSENSE
How Paul Smith fits
Overall fit
slightly small
Most shoppers find Paul Smith cut on the slim, close-to-body side of British tailoring, so the label size often wears about half a size smaller than typical high-street equivalents, while the PS Paul Smith casual line is reported as closer to true to size.
Tip: If you are between sizes or want anything more than a very trim fit, take the next size up — especially in main-line shirts and tailoring.
Medium confidence · based on 14 sources
By category
| Category | Runs | Shape | Size advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoodies & sweatshirts | true to size | regular to slightly slim, cleaner than typical streetwear sweats | Take your normal size, or one up if you want an oversized look. |
| Jackets | slightly small | tailored with a nipped waist and clean shoulder; blousons and overshirts are trimmer than most | Size up if you plan to layer knitwear underneath or have an athletic chest. |
| Jeans & denim | true to size | slim to tapered, mid rise | Stick with your measured waist; size up only if you want room in the seat and thigh. |
| Shirts & overshirts | runs small | slim, darted through the back with a high armhole; classic/tailored options are fuller | Take a size up (or choose the tailored/classic block) unless you are slim-built and want a very close fit. |
| T-shirts & graphic tees | slightly small | slim to regular, closer through the chest and sleeve than typical | Size up if you prefer a relaxed drape; stay true to size for a fitted look. |
| Trousers & pants | true to size | slim or slim-tapered through thigh and knee | Order your usual waist, but expect a narrow thigh — go up one if you are muscular through the leg. |
Directional fit consensus summarized from public sources with AI — a starting point, not a guarantee. Confirm with the product's own measurements before buying.
If you like Paul Smith
See all 22 brands like Paul Smith →
78% matchOliver Spencer
British tailor's softer, workwear-tinged suiting
What changes: Muted earth palette rather than bright stripes; smaller range
73% matchTed Baker
Louder British print-and-pattern occasionwear
What changes: Cheaper, trend-driven and now licence-run rather than designer-led
72% matchReiss
British tailoring without the colour eccentricity
What changes: More conservative, wedding/office-led styling
71% matchAmi Paris
Playful designer tailoring with a logo-led Parisian slant
What changes: Younger streetwear crossover; less shirting and formalwear depth
Paul Smith fit questions
Does Paul Smith run big or small?
Paul Smith fits slightly small. If you are between sizes or want anything more than a very trim fit, take the next size up — especially in main-line shirts and tailoring. Most shoppers find Paul Smith cut on the slim, close-to-body side of British tailoring, so the label size often wears about half a size smaller than typical high-street equivalents, while the PS Paul Smith casual line is reported as closer to true to size.
How does Paul Smith fit?
Most shoppers find Paul Smith cut on the slim, close-to-body side of British tailoring, so the label size often wears about half a size smaller than typical high-street equivalents, while the PS Paul Smith casual line is reported as closer to true to size. Overall shape: slim to tailored with a defined waist, though the PS Paul Smith diffusion line sits closer to regular/relaxed.
How do Paul Smith hoodies & sweatshirts fit?
Paul Smith hoodies & sweatshirts fits true to size. Take your normal size, or one up if you want an oversized look. Shape: regular to slightly slim, cleaner than typical streetwear sweats.
How do Paul Smith jackets fit?
Paul Smith jackets fits slightly small. Size up if you plan to layer knitwear underneath or have an athletic chest. Shape: tailored with a nipped waist and clean shoulder; blousons and overshirts are trimmer than most.
How do Paul Smith jeans & denim fit?
Paul Smith jeans & denim fits true to size. Stick with your measured waist; size up only if you want room in the seat and thigh. Shape: slim to tapered, mid rise.
Brand facts
- Founded
- 1970
- Origin
- Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Made in
- Italy, United Kingdom, Portugal, Japan, China
- Price
- $$$
- Typical prices
- Shirts $277–$402 · Footwear $481–$566 · Socks underwear $85–$102
- Focus
- Unisex
- Styles
- Urban prep / Ivy, Quiet luxury, Minimalist / Contemporary