Sizing & Fit
Sizing guide
Size Chest Sleeve Back
(CM) width length length
XS 78cm 56cm 62cm
S 84cm 56cm 63cm
M 90cm 56cm 64cm
L 96cm 56cm 65cm
XL 102cm 56cm 66cm
XLL* 108cm 58cm 71cm
Size Chest Sleeve Back
(INCHES) width length length
XS 31" 22" 24.5"
S 33" 22" 25"
M 35.5" 22" 25"
L 38" 22" 25.5"
XL 40" 22" 26"
XLL* 42.5" 23" 28"
UK size equivalent
XS 6-8 UK size
S 8-10 UK size
M 12-14 UK size
L 14-16 UK size
XL 16-18 UK size
XLL* 18+/more than 6ft 2
Unisex: styled to give a slim, shaped fit.
Our base layers are stretchy: Jo (on the website in aqua) is a size 8 and is wearing the S for a looser longer fit, Charlie (on the website in the black) is a size 10 and is wearing the S, Dan (on the website in the blue) is 5ft 10 and is wearing the M for a closer fit, Russ is 5ft 8 with a 42"/43" chest and he wears an XL, which fits him really well (even though the actual chest width of the base layer is 40.1"). *If you are over 6ft 2in tall you may need our XLL size, which is an extra 2inches (5cm) longer at the front and back.
Email us at lisa@noirvelocity.com, if you are uncertain about sizing, and we'll do our best to advise you, based on the sizes our customers, friends and family wear. For men, send us your chest size and we'll compare with what other Noir buyers have bought.
If you are within the M25 we can bring a selection over for you to try, free of charge, to help you get the right fit.
Sizing generally
We get a lot of questions on sizing because our tops are stretchy and worn for a wide range of different activities. Some wear them as a base layer, others layer over a vest or sports top as they warm up or cool down at tennis, yoga or on a run. There’s more who just wear them lounging round the house and so may want an oversize '80s retro feel. Email if you have a sizing question. We'll do all we can to help.
Fabric & Care
Please take good care of NOIR clothes to help extend their useful life.
Merino Second Skin fabric
From its moisture-wicking and antibacterial properties to its breathability, softness and sustainable warmth, Merino wool has long been lauded as a wonderful, natural fibre with unparalleled temperature controlling performance. Our Merino wool is spun in an Internationally known and respected mill in Italy. The fibres used in the production of the yarns are traceable, OEKO-TEX®, FSC®, GOTS and GRS certified, and manufactured with low environmental impact. The yarn is then knitted into base layers in the British Isles using innovative 3D ShimaSeiki knitting machines.
We’ve spent a lot of time balancing ratios of Merino to other products. We’ve worked with top athletes and fashion experts alike to get the ultimate hybrid product that performs as well as it looks. We've combined 94% Merino with 6% elastane to produce a garment that is extremely soft but also stretchy and durable enough to tolerate plenty of wear.
Because it doesn’t absorb odour, the need for regular washing is far less than equivalent synthetic materials.
Merino Second Skin care
Merino must be treated with care:
DO either hand or machine wash on a gentle 30C wool cycle with a wool care laundry liquid (we like Woolite, Ecover Wool & Silk and Ecover Delicate Laundry Liquid) and with a spin of no more than 600rpm. We always wash similar colours together and wash inside-out. Reshape the item whilst damp and dry flat or hang to dry. If you want to iron it, iron inside out.
DON'T use fabric softener or conditioner, don’t tumble dry or dry in direct sunlight. Never dry clean or bleach merino and don’t wring your garment out – it stretches the fibres.
Look after your Merino and it will look after you!