Zara and Banana Republic compete for the same workwear-and-smart-casual shopper, but they size from different traditions. Zara labels in EU numbers and cuts slim, with a well-earned runs-small reputation — worst in blazers, structured dresses, jeans, and the TRF line. Banana Republic is the tailored end of the GAP family: US numeric sizes behind alpha letters, detailed charts, and garments that mostly deliver what the chart promises.
Because the systems differ — EU numeric versus US numeric and alpha — the tables below align rows by body measurement, not by label. The pattern they show is steady: at the same bust or chest, Banana Republic's letter runs about one size lower than Zara's, before either brand's cut enters the picture.
The short answer
Zara runs smaller — about one letter by the charts, and more in structured pieces
On the charts, a Zara M (90 cm · 35.4" bust) lands between Banana Republic's S (34–35") and M (36–37"); a Zara L (94–96 cm) sits between BR's M and L. Men's is the same story: Zara's L (99–103 cm chest) matches BR's M (38–40"), and Zara's XL matches BR's L. Roughly one letter of offset, with BR's letters on the larger bodies.
Fit pushes the brands further apart in exactly the categories they share. Zara's blazers and structured dresses run small — size up is the standing advice. BR runs true to size with the opposite quirks: blouses and knits are cut roomy through the body (stylists often size down for a tailored look) and blazer shoulders run generous, so between sizes you go down. Same wardrobe, opposite corrections.
Zara vs Banana Republic at a glance
| Zara | Banana Republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Sizing system | EU numeric (34–44) with letters; a 38 is a US 6 | US numeric (00–16) behind alpha letters (XS–XL) |
| Overall fit | Runs small — blazers, structured pieces, jeans, TRF | True to size — tailored, with roomy blouses and knits |
| Blazers | Run small — size up, especially fitted styles | Shoulders cut generously — between sizes, go down |
| Trousers | Run small like the rest of the fitted range | True to size, but non-stretch tailored styles snug at the waist |
| Consistency | Loose — varies by line; per-product size tool | Reliable — charts map cleanly to numeric sizes |
Women's size mapping by bust
Rows are aligned by body bust measurement, not by label — Zara sizes in EU numbers, Banana Republic in US numeric/alpha. Zara figures are as commonly republished from its per-product size tool; BR figures are from its published chart, which tops out at XL (US 16).
| Zara size | Zara bust | Closest BR size | BR bust |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS (EU 34) | 82 cm · 32.3" | XS (US 00–2) | 31–33" · 78.5–84 cm |
| S (EU 36) | 86 cm · 33.9" | XS–S (US 2–4) | 34–35" · 86.5–89 cm |
| M (EU 38) | 90 cm · 35.4" | S–M (US 6–8) | 36–37" · 91.5–94 cm |
| L (EU 40) | 94–96 cm · 37–37.8" | M–L (US 10–12) | 38.5–40" · 98–101.5 cm |
| XL (EU 42) | 98–102 cm · 38.6–40.2" | L (US 12–14) | 38.5–40" · 98–101.5 cm |
| XXL (EU 44) | 102–108 cm · 40.2–42.5" | XL (US 16) | 41.5" · 105.5 cm |
Women's waists at the matched sizes
Body waist measurements for the bust-matched pairs above — useful for BR's tailored trousers, which run snug at the waist in non-stretch fabrics.
| Zara size · waist | BR size · waist |
|---|---|
| XS · 62–64 cm · 24.5–25" | XS · 24–26" · 61–66 cm |
| S · 66 cm · 26" | XS–S · 26–28" · 66–71 cm |
| M · 70 cm · 27.6" | S–M · 27–30" · 68.5–76 cm |
| L · 74–76 cm · 29.1–30" | M–L · 29–33" · 73.5–84 cm |
| XL · 78–82 cm · 30.7–32.3" | L · 31.5–33" · 80–84 cm |
| XXL · 82–88 cm · 32.3–34.6" | XL · 34.5" · 87.5 cm |
Men's tops by chest
Body chest measurements, aligned by measurement rather than letter. Zara figures are as commonly republished from its size guidance. Zara's L lines up with BR's M.
| Zara size · chest | Closest BR size · chest |
|---|---|
| S · 89–93 cm · 35–36.5" | S · 36–37" · 91.5–94 cm |
| M · 94–98 cm · 37–38.5" | S–M · 36–40" · 91.5–101.5 cm |
| L · 99–103 cm · 39–40.5" | M · 38–40" · 96.5–101.5 cm |
| XL · 104–108 cm · 41–42.5" | L · 41–44" · 104–112 cm |
| XXL · 109–114 cm · 43–45" | L · 41–44" · 104–112 cm |
Switching between Zara and Banana Republic
- Going Zara → BR: drop one letter as your starting point — a Zara L body is a BR M body — then take your true BR size in suiting and dresses.
- Going BR → Zara: go up one letter, and another for Zara blazers, structured dresses, jeans, or anything TRF.
- Blazers need opposite corrections: size up at Zara (they run small), size down at BR when between sizes (the shoulders run generous).
- BR's flowy blouses and knits run roomy — if you sized down for them, don't carry that size to Zara, where the same category runs small.
Measurements are based on each brand's published size charts and may vary by garment, fabric, and region. For the full charts and fit notes, see the Zara size guide and the Banana Republic size guide.
Zara vs Banana Republic sizing FAQs
Which runs smaller, Zara or Banana Republic?
Zara, by about one size. The charts put the same letter on a smaller body at Zara — a Zara men's L matches a BR M — and Zara's cut runs small on top of that, while Banana Republic runs true to size with a tailored fit.
What Banana Republic size should I buy if I wear a Zara medium?
Usually a small. A Zara M fits a 90 cm (35.4") bust, which sits at the top of BR's S range (34–35") and below its M (36–37"). In BR's roomy-cut blouses and knits the small is the clear pick; in structured trousers check the waist measurement, since non-stretch styles run snug.
Should I size up in blazers at both brands?
No — opposite directions. Zara blazers run small, so sizing up is the standard advice. Banana Republic blazers have generously cut shoulders, so when between sizes you go down and let a tailor adjust the body if needed.
Is a Zara 38 the same as a Banana Republic 8?
Nominally — Zara converts EU 38 to US 6–8 territory — but by body measurement a Zara 38 (90 cm · 35.4" bust) sits between BR's 4–6 (S) and 8–10 (M). Given BR's truer-to-size cut, most Zara 38 shoppers start with a BR 6.
Which brand has more reliable sizing?
Banana Republic. Its charts map cleanly to numeric sizes and the garments mostly deliver what the chart promises, with learnable quirks (roomy blouses, generous blazer shoulders). Zara's fit varies by line and garment, which is why it offers a per-product size calculator instead of one chart.
