Hi there, you’re here to learn about Toxik3 jeans, and that’s a really good place to be because they are some of the best jeans, in the world, ever. A bold claim. We’re an official UK stockist of Toxik3, and we source them here at Wardrobe at The Cross directly from Toxik3 in Paris. I spent a year and a half living in France, three months of which were in Paris, docha know? So I’m able to deal with the lingo. Bonjour!
The best way to start is absolutely by looking at the Toxik3 size chart (below) and reading the fit notes for the exact style and colour. But it’s important that we tell you a few things.
We have called the style with the large pockets the Rowan, or indeed the Alder. I’m somewhat obsessed with trees, and that comes out in the naming. But you need to know that those are not names that Toxik3 use, so you won’t find those names anywhere else. That’s fine, that’s just our quirk. Equally, some of the other names you notice in our Toxik3 range are just our quirks. We make no apologies, we are a tad quirky.
The Rowan and the Alder are what we call the large-pocket jeans, and they are also known by Toxik3 as the 2662. Now, the 2662 is the famous product because it’s the one that everyone loves. It’s really lovely and high-waisted, little bit flared and has a brilliant, peachy bum-lifting property.
I’m usually a UK 10–12, and I always wear a 38 in our Rowan and a 38 in the Alder. But, for example I take a medium in the Dana. The cut makes a difference. So before you order “the same size as last time”, let’s have a look at which pair you’re choosing.
The Toxik3 size chart
This is the waist and hip information from Toxik3’s own size chart on their website, and we’ve pulled it directly from there and translated it from the French. You can say Merci to us later. The measurements here are body circumferences in centimetres, which isn’t always a pleasant experience, is it? But hey ho, this is what we’re working with. They’re at least a starting point, and we think they’re helpful. They are body measurements, rather than measurements of the finished jeans.
| Toxik3 label | Waist in cm | Hips in cm |
|---|---|---|
| 34 / XS | 60–64 | 85–89 |
| 36 / S | 65–69 | 90–94 |
| 38 / M | 70–74 | 95–99 |
| 40 / L | 75–79 | 100–104 |
| 42 / XL | 80–85 | 105–110 |
| 44 / XXL | 86–91 | 111–116 |
| 46 / XXXL | 92–97 | 117–122 |
Source: Toxik3’s official size guide. Individual styles and the sizes available at Wardrobe at The Cross vary. The full chart does not mean that every pair comes in every size. Do give me a call on +44 7598 823548 to ask which style suits you or which ones are currently available.
Measure around your natural waist, where you feel that you go in the most at the tummy, and the fullest part of your hips, where you go out the most at the hips. Keep the tape level and comfortably close to your body. If your waist and hips point to different sizes, send me both measurements and the style you’re considering at Hilary@wardrobeatthecross.co.uk. This is much more useful than trying to make one number answer everything.
Remember, here at Wardrobe at The Cross, we do not let numbers dictate our lives. If we need to upsize, we upsize. If we need to downsize, we downsize. We don’t let the label lead our decisions. We let the feel lead our decisions.
How our current Toxik3 jeans compare
These are our recorded fitting examples for the specific pairs below, and I really want you to look at this. Remember, I’m 5ft 3in and usually a UK 10–12, and I carry my weight in my middle. Sue is 5ft and usually a UK 6 or 7. Use these sizes alongside your own measurements and your knowledge of any Toxik3 jeans you’ve previously had.
| Style and colour | Our fitting example | The detail that matters |
|---|---|---|
| Rowan Mid-Wash | Hil 38; Sue 34 | Generous stretch; you can size down. Also known by Toxik3 as 2662. |
| Rowan Dark Wash | Hil 38; Sue 34 | Generous stretch; you can size down. |
| Rowan Inky Dark Wash | Hil 38; Sue 34 | Generous stretch; you can size down. |
| Rowan Intense Navy Wash | Hil 38; Sue 34 | Generous stretch; you can size down. |
| Alder Black | Hil 38; Sue 34 | Same fit as Rowan. Hil thinks there is slightly less stretch because these are pigment dyed. |
| Alder Brown | Hil 38; Sue 34 | Same fit as Rowan; Hil wears 38 in all Alders. |
| Alder Burgundy | Hil 38; Sue 34 | Same fit as Rowan; Hil wears 38 in all Alders. |
| Dana Indigo | Hil M | Closer waist than Judd; go up between sizes. |
| Judd | Hil S | Hil takes a small, compared with a medium in Dana. |
| Harta Dark Wash | Hil 38; Sue 34 | Nice barrel leg. Hil wears a heel without turning them up; Sue turns up the longer hem. |
| Tia Chocolate Brown | Hil M; Sue XS | Generous on Hil’s bottom and thighs, but fits against her tummy. |
| Burgundy Barrel | Hil 40 | Size up. Toxik3 labels 40 as UK 12. |
| Mandi | Hil 36 | Toxik3 labels 36 as UK 8, although Hil is usually UK 10–12. |
Rowan 2662 for a generous stretchy fit
Rowan is our name here at Wardrobe at The Cross because I do like naming things. I’m a woman of words. It’s our name for the Toxik3 2662, the style with the big front patch pockets, high waist and gentle flare. You’ll see “wide leg” in the product title, but the shape is definitely a soft flare. We’re not thinking 1970s here. We’re not “Hi Ho Silver Lining”. They’re not a very, very broad flare.
The Mid-Wash Rowan contains 97% cotton and 3% elastane. It’s perfect. We also have the Dark Wash, the Inky Dark Wash and the Intense Navy Wash. We would always say you can size down in these.
For example, I’m a UK 10–12. The size 38 is marked as a 10, but it’s really not. I would say it’s more of an 11. Sue wears a 34, which Toxik3 would say is a 6. We would say it’s more of a 7.
This does not mean you need to squeeze into the smallest pair you can fasten. The waistband should always feel comfortable when you sit, and you should be able to bend your knees without a wrestling match. In fact, one of our customers, a lovely lady who goes on yoga retreats, did a full yoga retreat in her Toxik3 Rowans in the Dark Inky Wash.
Rowan Jean – Mid-Wash
£65 · Sizes and availability on product page
Shop the Rowan Jean in Mid-Wash →
More Rowan colourways
Other Rowan colours: Pale Wash · White · Biscuit · Dusky Pink · Moss Green · Super Pale Blue · Gentle Grey
Alder Black if you already know your Rowan size
The Alder is a useful comparison. I’ve called it the Alder. It’s only our silly name because we like the words around trees. I wear a 38 in both the Rowan and the Alder. The Alder comes up the same on me. We’ve called these intensely pigmented ones the Alder, as opposed to the Rowans, which are a truer jean. I think there’s slightly less stretch in the Alder because they’re pigment dyed.
The matte black finish makes this a perfect jean because you can wear it almost as a smart black trouser. But make sure you think about your waist and your length first.
Alder Jean – Black
£65 · Sizes and availability on product page
More Alder colourways
Dana Indigo if you want a barrel leg
The Dana has a beautiful curved leg with room through the hip and thigh, tapering towards the ankle. The relaxed leg can be misleading when you’re choosing a size. There is still a waistband to get right.
Dana is slimmer at the waist relative to the hips than our Judd barrel style. I wear a medium in the Dana compared with a small in the Judd, and we suggest going up if you’re between sizes. The fabric contains 72% cotton, 26% polyester and 2% elastane.
Always, if you can, try the waist sitting down before deciding if you need to return them. If you’ve bought them from us, just spend five minutes in them before you think, “No, they’re too tight”, or, “Yes, they’re too big”. Just spend five minutes in these ones.
They do have a curve through the leg, but remember, we don’t do excessive barrels because we think sometimes the barrel legs make you look a little bit like you’ve got rickets, and we don’t like that. Who the heck does?
Dana Barrel Jeans – Indigo
£65 · Sizes and availability on product page
Shop the Dana Barrel Jeans in Indigo →
Harta Dark Wash for a relaxed studded barrel
The Harta in Dark Wash are fabulous. They have a high waist, relaxed barrel leg and arty studs down the outside seams. A little decoration for your denim, and I’m very much in favour of it. Harta is another name that’s a 'Hil' conceit. You won’t find it on any of Toxik3’s reference points.
I wear a 38 in this pair and I don’t turn them up. I always wear them with a kick-ass heel. Sue wears a 34 and she does turn up the hem. The length comes up a little longer than you might expect from a Barrel (so many seem to be a tad cropped), so try them both full length and turned up, always with the shoes you want to wear.
My Harta size matches my Rowan size, as does my Alder size. That’s a really helpful personal comparison, but your own waist and hip fit should still decide which pair comes home with you, or goes into your basket on the website.
Harta Studded Barrel Jean – Dark Wash
£65 · Sizes and availability on product page
See the Harta Studded Barrel Jean in Dark Wash →
Tia Chocolate Brown and letter sizing
The Tia uses XS, S, M and L labels in our listing. Its own guide gives these approximate UK ranges: XS 6–8, S 8–10, M 10–12 and L 12–14. Use those as the starting point for this particular style.
I wear a medium and Sue takes an XS. The medium is generous on my bottom and thighs, but fits against my tummy. The high waist and rounded leg are meant to have some room, so judge the waist and seat before trying to remove all the volume by sizing down.
The chocolate brown is beautiful with a simple knit. I’m always pairing these chocolate browns with the chocolate brown asymmetric knit because it gives you a beautiful drape, but also lets the shape of these beautiful barrels show off. And remember, don’t be afraid of the barrel. Never be afraid of the barrel. In fact, to quote the Cockney London of my parents: “Roll out the barrel.”
Tia Barrel Jean – Chocolate Brown
£65 · Sizes and availability on product page
Shop the Tia Barrel Jean in Chocolate Brown →
Check the length as carefully as the waist
A product photograph cannot tell you where the hem will fall on your leg. We hate the fact that we’re asking you to check all these measurements because, here at Wardrobe at The Cross, we’re not obsessed with measurements. But you do need to check where things will fall on your leg. When you’re ordering online, always measure your inside leg, then just ring me. Ask for the measurements of the specific style and size. Call me on 07598 823548 or email Hilary@wardrobeatthecross.co.uk. Don’t be afraid to ask.
For a full-length pair, check that the hem clears the floor in your chosen shoes. If you need a substantial alteration, I have a brilliant local recommendation: Becky’s Unique Sewing Boutique in New Ferry, on the Wirral. Always check with your seamstress how shortening will affect the flare or the taper.
A turn-up can work beautifully on a barrel. I think it’s sometimes better to turn up a barrel than take it up because, with a turn-up, you have two ways to wear it. I would always suggest a casual shoe with a turn-up, and with a turn-down, go kick-ass heel.
Your Toxik3 sizing questions
Do Toxik3 jeans come up big?
Some do. All Rowans and all Alders come up big, as do the Harta. Dana needs a different approach because of its closer waist compared with Judd. You can afford to size down, but only on specific styles. For example, in the Burgundy Barrel you need to size up. I’m taking the 40 in those, which Toxik3 would say is a 12. In the Mandi, I’m taking a 36, which they would say is an 8, and there is no way that I have a size 8 waist.
What is a Toxik size 38 in UK sizing?
Toxik3 would say that a 38, which I take in the Rowan, Alder and Harta, is a 10. But I’m no 10. I’m usually a UK 10–12. Toxik3 jeans contain a hell of a lot of stretch, or, as my kids would say, a 'hella' amount of stretch. You can afford to size down in specific styles, but the label does not tell the whole story.
Will Toxik jeans stretch with wear?
We always say Toxik3 jeans will stretch to about 3%. They relax and soften slightly. Don’t buy a pair that digs in just because you think they’ll stretch, though. Different fabrics behave differently, and it’s always best to ask me, or indeed go by what you know. Many of you lovely customers, and I adore you all, know your Toxiks inside and out.
Can I order the same size in another colour?
I would always say order the same size in another colour, absolutely. More and more customers are coming in and buying Rowans and Alders in myriad colours, and we have loads and loads of colourways.
Ask us before the size label sends you in circles
Ask us. Always ask us. Send us a note about the jeans you like. Tell us what you feel, your usual UK size, your waist and hip measurements, and any Toxik3 pair you already wear. Tell us whether you prefer a close or relaxed fit, too.
You can always browse our current Toxik3 jeans or get in touch for help choosing your size. Call me on 07598 823548 or email Hilary@wardrobeatthecross.co.uk. If you’re nearby, do come and see us in Neston. Remember, we’re open Tuesday to Saturday. We’re so happy to talk denim with you. Well, I am just happy to chat. It's in the genes...jeans... see what I did there?
Hil x
